Pulaski County, Illinois tornadoes

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12 confirmed tornadoes since NOAA records began in 1950 (the first here in 1957). Most recent: March 30, 2025, EF1. 2026 so far: 0 preliminary reports preliminary

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Every tornado path in the county

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(E)F0(E)F1(E)F2(E)F3(E)F4(E)F5Unrated

Each path is a straight line from where the tornado started to where it ended, which is all most NOAA records hold. Tap a path for its details.

At a glance

Total121950 to 2025
Per year0.2average since 1950
Peak monthMay4 of 12
StrongestF4May 6, 2003
Deaths2whole paths, see note
Injuries46whole paths, see note

Deaths and injuries are NOAA's totals for each tornado's whole path, which can extend beyond Pulaski County.

When tornadoes hit here

By month

40 Jan: 1Feb: 1Mar: 1Apr: 3May: 4Jun: 1Jul: 0Aug: 0Sep: 0Oct: 1Nov: 0Dec: 0JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec

May is the peak month, with 4 of 12 tornadoes.

By time of day

50 12 AM: 0: 0: 03 AM: 1: 0: 16 AM: 0: 0: 09 AM: 0: 0: 012 PM: 0: 0: 23 PM: 0: 0: 56 PM: 1: 1: 19 PM: 0: 0: 012 AM3 AM6 AM9 AM12 PM3 PM6 PM9 PM

Most often around 5:00 PM. Times as recorded by NOAA, mostly Central Standard Time.

By year, 1950 to 2025

30 1950: 0: 0: 0: 0: 0: 0: 0: 1: 0: 01960: 0: 0: 0: 0: 0: 0: 0: 1: 0: 01970: 0: 0: 1: 0: 0: 0: 0: 0: 0: 01980: 0: 0: 0: 0: 0: 0: 0: 0: 0: 01990: 0: 0: 0: 0: 0: 0: 0: 0: 0: 02000: 0: 0: 0: 1: 0: 1: 0: 0: 0: 02010: 0: 3: 1: 1: 0: 0: 0: 0: 0: 12020: 0: 0: 0: 0: 0: 119501960197019801990200020102020

The line is the five-year average. Tornadoes before about 1953 were under-reported, and better radar since the 1990s finds more weak ones.

By rating

EF0
1
EF1
5
EF2
5
EF4
1

Ratings before February 2007 use the original F scale; the numbers line up with today's EF scale. Unknown means NOAA could not assign a rating.

Notable tornadoes

Deadliest

F4, May 6, 2003

2 deaths, 33 injuries Strongest

F4, May 6, 2003

33 mile path Longest path

33 miles, F4

May 6, 2003, whole path Widest

1,000 yards, F4

May 6, 2003

All 12 tornadoes, newest first

DateRatingPath lengthWidthDeathsInjuries
Mar 30, 2025EF123.87 mi150 yd00
Apr 24, 2019EF00.23 mi30 yd00
Oct 31, 2013EF16.51 mi50 yd00
Feb 29, 2012EF222.74 mi150 yd05
May 25, 2011EF219.87 mi325 yd00
May 25, 2011EF110.04 mi120 yd00
May 25, 2011EF15.5 mi250 yd00
Jan 13, 2005F111 mi100 yd00
May 6, 2003F433 mi1,000 yd233
Apr 21, 1972F26.9 mi10 yd03
Jun 21, 1967F20.1 mi10 yd00
Apr 3, 1957F26.8 mi10 yd05

Nearby counties

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Source: NOAA Storm Prediction Center severe weather database, 1950 to 2025, and SPC preliminary reports for 2026. Page built October 12, 2026.