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{{Short description|List of killer tornadoes in Southern Illinois}}
Listed below are the tornadoes ranked by death toll. There were undoubtedly many other deaths that have been lost to history.
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Listed below are confirmed killer tornadoes listed by date in [[Southern Illinois]], United States. Modern record keeping in the region began in the 1880s, although there were undoubtedly many other deaths that have been lost to history. It is important to note that before the 1950s tornadoes were not officially ranked. The current rankings are an estimation due to the accounts of witnesses.


==Southern Illinois tornadoes by death toll==
==Southern Illinois tornadoes by death toll==
{{Tornado Chart | Total=17 | F0=0 | F1=0 | F2=3 | F3=5 | F4=9 | F5=2 }}


{| class="wikitable collapsible" width="100%"
{| class="wikitable collapsible" width="100%"
!colspan="6"|March 18, 1925
!colspan="6"|March 19, 1883
|-
|-
|'''<center>[[Fujita scale|F#]]'''</center> || <center>'''Location'''</center> || <center>'''County'''</center> || <center>'''Time (local)'''</center> || <center>'''Path length'''</center> || <center>'''Damage'''</center>
|style="text-align:center;" |'''[[Fujita scale|F#]]''' || style="text-align:center;" |'''Location''' || style="text-align:center;" |'''County''' || style="text-align:center;" |'''Time (local)''' || style="text-align:center;" |'''Path length''' || style="text-align:center;" |'''Damage'''
|-
|-
|bgcolor=#{{Storm colour|cat5}} | <big>'''F5'''</big>
|bgcolor=#{{Storm colour|cat4}} | <big>'''F4'''</big>
|'''NNW of [[Ellington, Missouri]] to 10 mi (16 km) NE of [[Princeton, Indiana]]'''
|'''[[Alton, Illinois|Alton]] to [[Bunker Hill, Illinois|Bunker Hill]]'''
|[[Monroe County, Illinois|Monroe]]
|[[Reynolds County, Missouri|Reynolds]], [[Iron County, Missouri|Iron]], [[Madison County, Missouri|Madison]], [[Bollinger County, Missouri|Bollinger]], [[Cape Girardeau County, Missouri|Cape Girardeau]], [[Perry County, Missouri|Perry]], '''[[Missouri]]''' - [[Jackson County, Illinois|Jackson]], [[Williamson County, Illinois|Williamson]], [[Franklin County, Illinois|Franklin]], [[Hamilton County, Illinois|Hamilton]], [[White County, Illinois|White]], '''[[Illinois]]''' - [[Posey County, Indiana|Posey]], [[Gibson County, Indiana|Gibson]], [[Pike County, Indiana|Pike]], '''[[Indiana]]'''
|Unknown
|1301
|Unknown
|234 miles (377 km)
|'''613 deaths in Southern Illinois'''
|'''33 deaths'''
'''695 deaths overall - ''Deadliest single tornado in US history''''' - [[Tri-State Tornado#Tri-State Tornado|See section on this tornado]]
|-
|-
|}
|}


{| class="wikitable collapsible" width="100%"
{| class="wikitable collapsible" width="100%"
!colspan="6"|May 27, 1896
!colspan="6"|November 6, 1885
|-
|-
|'''<center>[[Fujita scale|F#]]'''</center> || <center>'''Location'''</center> || <center>'''County'''</center> || <center>'''Time (local)'''</center> || <center>'''Path length'''</center> || <center>'''Damage'''</center>
|style="text-align:center;" |'''[[Fujita scale|F#]]''' || style="text-align:center;" |'''Location''' || style="text-align:center;" |'''County''' || style="text-align:center;" |'''Time (local)''' || style="text-align:center;" |'''Path length''' || style="text-align:center;" |'''Damage'''
|-
|bgcolor=#{{Storm colour|cat3}} | <big>'''F3'''</big>
|'''SE of [[Sacramento, Illinois|Sacramento]] to N of [[Carmi, Illinois|Carmi]]'''
|[[White County, Illinois|White]]
|1645
|{{convert|16|mi|km}}
|'''1 death'''
|-
|}

{| class="wikitable collapsible" width="100%"
!colspan="6"|April 22, 1887
|-
|style="text-align:center;" |'''[[Fujita scale|F#]]''' || style="text-align:center;" |'''Location''' || style="text-align:center;" |'''County''' || style="text-align:center;" |'''Time (local)''' || style="text-align:center;" |'''Path length''' || style="text-align:center;" |'''Damage'''
|-
|-
|bgcolor=#{{Storm colour|cat4}} | <big>'''F4'''</big>
|bgcolor=#{{Storm colour|cat4}} | <big>'''F4'''</big>
|'''[[St. Louis, Missouri]] to [[East St. Louis, Illinois]]'''
|'''[[Mt. Carmel, Illinois|Mt. Carmel]] to near the White River, Indiana'''
|[[St. Louis, Missouri| St. Louis City]], '''[[Missouri]]''' - [[St. Clair County, Illinois|St.Clair]], '''[[Illinois]]'''
|[[Wabash County, Illinois|Wabash]] '''Illinois''' – [[Gibson County, Indiana|Gibson]], [[Pike County, Indiana|Pike]]
|1800
|Unknown
|{{convert|30|mi|km}}
|Unknown
|'''118 deaths in Southern Illinois'''
|'''5 deaths'''
'''282+ deaths overall''' - [[1896 St. Louis-East St. Louis tornado|See section on this tornado]]
|-
|-
|}
|}


{| class="wikitable collapsible" width="100%"
{| class="wikitable collapsible" width="100%"
!colspan="6"|March 19, 1883
!colspan="6"|June 3, 1887
|-
|-
|'''<center>[[Fujita scale|F#]]'''</center> || <center>'''Location'''</center> || <center>'''County'''</center> || <center>'''Time (local)'''</center> || <center>'''Path length'''</center> || <center>'''Damage'''</center>
|style="text-align:center;" |'''[[Fujita scale|F#]]''' || style="text-align:center;" |'''Location''' || style="text-align:center;" |'''County''' || style="text-align:center;" |'''Time (local)''' || style="text-align:center;" |'''Path length''' || style="text-align:center;" |'''Damage'''
|-
|-
|bgcolor=#{{Storm colour|catunk}} | <big>'''F?'''</big>
|bgcolor=#{{Storm colour|cat1}} | <big>'''F1'''</big>
|'''[[Alton, Illinois|Alton]] to [[Bunker Hill, Illinois|Bunker Hill]]'''
|'''[[Old Shawneetown, Illinois|Old Shawneetown]]'''
|[[Monroe County, Illinois|Monroe]]
|[[Gallatin County, Illinois|Gallitan]]
|Unknown
|Unknown
|Unknown
|Unknown
|'''33 deaths'''
|'''3 deaths'''
|-
|-
|}
|}
Line 50: Line 68:
!colspan="6"|February 19, 1888
!colspan="6"|February 19, 1888
|-
|-
|'''<center>[[Fujita scale|F#]]'''</center> || <center>'''Location'''</center> || <center>'''County'''</center> || <center>'''Time (local)'''</center> || <center>'''Path length'''</center> || <center>'''Damage'''</center>
|style="text-align:center;" |'''[[Fujita scale|F#]]''' || style="text-align:center;" |'''Location''' || style="text-align:center;" |'''County''' || style="text-align:center;" |'''Time (local)''' || style="text-align:center;" |'''Path length''' || style="text-align:center;" |'''Damage'''
|-
|-
|bgcolor=#{{Storm colour|catunk}} | <big>'''F?'''</big>
|bgcolor=#{{Storm colour|cat4}} | <big>'''F4'''</big>
|'''[[Mt. Vernon, Illinois| Mt. Vernon]]'''
|'''[[Mt. Vernon, Illinois|Mt. Vernon]]'''
|[[Jefferson County, Illinois|Jefferson]]
|[[Jefferson County, Illinois|Jefferson]]
|1630
|{{convert|20|mi|km}}
|'''24 deaths''' The southern half of Mt. Vernon was destroyed. 300 homes and 50 businesses were destroyed or damaged
|-
|}

{| class="wikitable collapsible" width="100%"
!colspan="6"|[[Tornado outbreak of March 27, 1890|March 27, 1890]]
|-
|style="text-align:center;" |'''[[Fujita scale|F#]]''' || style="text-align:center;" |'''Location''' || style="text-align:center;" |'''County''' || style="text-align:center;" |'''Time (local)''' || style="text-align:center;" |'''Path length''' || style="text-align:center;" |'''Damage'''
|-
|bgcolor=#{{Storm colour|cat4}} | <big>'''F4'''</big>
|'''NW of [[Shawneetown, Missouri|Shawneetown]] to N of [[Carbondale, Illinois|Carbondale]]'''
|[[Cape Girardeau County, Missouri|Cape Girardeau]], [[Perry County, Missouri|Perry]] '''Missouri''' – [[Jackson County, Illinois|Jackson]] '''Illinois'''
|1620
|{{convert|30|mi|km}}
|'''7 deaths'''
|-
|bgcolor=#{{Storm colour|cat4}} | <big>'''F4'''</big>
|'''NW of [[Thebes, Illinois|Thebes]] to [[Stonefort, Illinois|Stonefort]]'''
|[[Scott County, Missouri|Scott]] '''Missouri''' – [[Alexander County, Illinois|Alexander]], [[Union County, Illinois|Union]], [[Johnson County, Illinois|Johnson]], [[Williamson County, Illinois|Williamson]] '''Illinois'''
|1645
|{{convert|55|mi|km}}
|'''2 deaths'''
|-
|bgcolor=#{{Storm colour|cat3}} | <big>'''F3'''</big>
|'''W of [[Sparta, Illinois|Sparta]] to ENE of [[Nashville, Illinois|Nashville]]'''
|[[Randolph County, Illinois|Randolph]], [[Washington County, Illinois|Washington]]
|1715
|{{convert|40|mi|km}}
|'''2 deaths'''
|-
|bgcolor=#{{Storm colour|cat4}} | <big>'''F4'''</big>
|'''[[Metropolis, Illinois|Metropolis]] to [[West Louisville, Kentucky|West Louisville]]'''
|[[Massac County, Illinois|Massac]] '''Illinois''' – [[McCracken County, Kentucky|McCracken]], [[Pope County, Kentucky|Pope]], [[Livingston County, Kentucky|Livingston]], [[Crittenden County, Kentucky|Crittenden]], [[Webster County, Kentucky|Webster]], [[McClean County, Kentucky|McClean]], [[Daviess County, Kentucky|Daviess]] '''Kentucky'''
|1715
|{{convert|95|mi|km}}
|'''21 deaths''' ''Likely a [[tornado family|family of tornadoes]]''
|-
|bgcolor=#{{Storm colour|cat2}} | <big>'''F2'''</big>
|'''W of [[Carmi, Illinois|Carmi]] to [[Crossville, Illinois|Crossville]]'''
|[[White County, Illinois|White]]
|1800
|{{convert|5|mi|km}}
|'''1 deaths'''
|-
|}
{| class="wikitable collapsible" width="100%"
!colspan="6"|[[Tornado outbreak sequence of May 1896|May 27, 1896]]
|-
|style="text-align:center;" |'''[[Fujita scale|F#]]''' || style="text-align:center;" |'''Location''' || style="text-align:center;" |'''County''' || style="text-align:center;" |'''Time (local)''' || style="text-align:center;" |'''Path length''' || style="text-align:center;" |'''Damage'''
|-
|bgcolor=#{{Storm colour|cat4}} | <big>'''F4'''</big>
|'''[[St. Louis, Missouri]] to [[East St. Louis, Illinois]]'''
|[[St. Louis, Missouri|St. Louis City]], '''[[Missouri]]''' – [[St. Clair County, Illinois|St.Clair]], '''[[Illinois]]'''
|Unknown
|Unknown
|Unknown
|Unknown
|'''24 deaths'''
|'''118 deaths in Southern Illinois'''
'''282+ deaths overall''' – [[1896 St. Louis-East St. Louis tornado|See section on this tornado]]
|-
|-
|}
|}


{| class="wikitable collapsible" width="100%"
{| class="wikitable collapsible" width="100%"
!colspan="6"|December 18, 1957
!colspan="6"|[[Tri-State tornado outbreak|March 18, 1925]]
|-
|-
|'''<center>[[Fujita scale|F#]]'''</center> || <center>'''Location'''</center> || <center>'''County'''</center> || <center>'''Time (local)'''</center> || <center>'''Path length'''</center> || <center>'''Damage'''</center>
|style="text-align:center;" |'''[[Fujita scale|F#]]''' || style="text-align:center;" |'''Location''' || style="text-align:center;" |'''County''' || style="text-align:center;" |'''Time (local)''' || style="text-align:center;" |'''Path length''' || style="text-align:center;" |'''Damage'''
|-
|bgcolor=#{{Storm colour|cat5}} | <big>'''F5'''</big>
|'''NNW of [[Ellington, Missouri]] to 10&nbsp;mi (16&nbsp;km) NE of [[Princeton, Indiana]]'''
|[[Reynolds County, Missouri|Reynolds]], [[Iron County, Missouri|Iron]], [[Madison County, Missouri|Madison]], [[Bollinger County, Missouri|Bollinger]], [[Cape Girardeau County, Missouri|Cape Girardeau]], [[Perry County, Missouri|Perry]], '''[[Missouri]]''' – [[Jackson County, Illinois|Jackson]], [[Williamson County, Illinois|Williamson]], [[Franklin County, Illinois|Franklin]], [[Hamilton County, Illinois|Hamilton]], [[White County, Illinois|White]], '''[[Illinois]]''' – [[Posey County, Indiana|Posey]], [[Gibson County, Indiana|Gibson]], [[Pike County, Indiana|Pike]], '''[[Indiana]]'''
|1301
|234 miles (377&nbsp;km)
|'''613 deaths in Southern Illinois'''
'''695 deaths overall ''Deadliest single tornado in US history.'''''
'''Most extreme tornado in recorded history.'''
Holds the record longest path length (219 miles, 352&nbsp;km), longest duration (about 3.5 hours), and fastest forward speed for a significant tornado (73&nbsp;mph, 117&nbsp;km/h).
Unlike other earlier tornadoes on this list, this tornado is now believed to be one single tornado, not a tornado family
[[Tri-State Tornado#Tri-State Tornado Family|See section on this tornado]]
|-
|}

{| class="wikitable collapsible" width="100%"
!colspan="6"|[[Tornado outbreak sequence of December 18–20, 1957|December 18, 1957]]
|-
|style="text-align:center;" |'''[[Fujita scale|F#]]''' || style="text-align:center;" |'''Location''' || style="text-align:center;" |'''County''' || style="text-align:center;" |'''Time (local)''' || style="text-align:center;" |'''Path length''' || style="text-align:center;" |'''Damage'''
|-
|bgcolor=#{{Storm colour|cat5}} | <big>'''F5'''</big>
|'''N of [[Du Quoin, Illinois|Du Quoin]] to W of [[Sesser, Illinois|Sesser]]'''
|[[Perry County, Illinois|Perry]]
|1635
|5 miles
|'''1 death.''' 6 injuries. Caused $50,000-$500,000 in damages. Touched down in a mostly rural area.
|-
|-
|bgcolor=#{{Storm colour|cat4}} | <big>'''F4'''</big>
|bgcolor=#{{Storm colour|cat4}} | <big>'''F4'''</big>
Line 72: Line 172:
|Unknown
|Unknown
|'''11 deaths'''
|'''11 deaths'''
|-
|bgcolor=#{{Storm colour|cat4}} | <big>'''F4'''</big>
|'''[[Mt. Vernon, Illinois|Mt. Vernon]] area'''
|[[Jefferson County, Illinois|Jefferson]]
|1555
|Unknown
|'''1 death'''
|-
|}

{| class="wikitable collapsible" width="100%"
!colspan="6"|March 30, 1982
|-
|style="text-align:center;" |'''[[Fujita scale|F#]]''' || style="text-align:center;" |'''Location''' || style="text-align:center;" |'''County''' || style="text-align:center;" |'''Time (local)''' || style="text-align:center;" |'''Path length''' || style="text-align:center;" |'''Damage'''
|-
|bgcolor=#{{Storm colour|cat2}} | <big>'''F2'''</big>
|'''[[Ina, Illinois|Ina]] area'''
|[[Jefferson County, Illinois|Jefferson]]
|2030
|0.8 miles
|'''1 death'''
|-
|-
|}
|}


{| class="wikitable collapsible" width="100%"
{| class="wikitable collapsible" width="100%"
!colspan="6"|May 29, 1982
!colspan="6"|[[Marion, Illinois, tornado outbreak|May 29, 1982]]
|-
|-
|'''<center>[[Fujita scale|F#]]'''</center> || <center>'''Location'''</center> || <center>'''County'''</center> || <center>'''Time (local)'''</center> || <center>'''Path length'''</center> || <center>'''Damage'''</center>
|style="text-align:center;" |'''[[Fujita scale|F#]]''' || style="text-align:center;" |'''Location''' || style="text-align:center;" |'''County''' || style="text-align:center;" |'''Time (local)''' || style="text-align:center;" |'''Path length''' || style="text-align:center;" |'''Damage'''
|-
|-
|bgcolor=#{{Storm colour|cat4}} | <big>'''F4'''</big>
|bgcolor=#{{Storm colour|cat4}} | <big>'''F4'''</big>
Line 85: Line 206:
|1405
|1405
|17 miles
|17 miles
|'''10 deaths''' 52 businesses and 300 homes were destroyed, 324 homes were damaged, and over 200 cars destroyed. Over 200 were injured and 1,000 left homeless. [[Marion, Illinois tornado outbreak#Marion, Illinois tornado|See section on this tornado]]
|'''10 deaths''' 52 businesses and 300 homes were destroyed, 324 homes were damaged, and over 200 cars destroyed. Over 200 were injured and 1,000 left homeless. [[Marion, Illinois tornado outbreak#Marion, Illinois, tornado|See section on this tornado]]
|-
|-
|}
|}


{| class="wikitable collapsible" width="100%"
{| class="wikitable collapsible" width="100%"
!colspan="6"|May 6, 2003
!colspan="6"|December 2, 1982
|-
|-
|'''<center>[[Fujita scale|F#]]'''</center> || <center>'''Location'''</center> || <center>'''County'''</center> || <center>'''Time (local)'''</center> || <center>'''Path length'''</center> || <center>'''Damage'''</center>
|style="text-align:center;" |'''[[Fujita scale|F#]]''' || style="text-align:center;" |'''Location''' || style="text-align:center;" |'''County''' || style="text-align:center;" |'''Time (local)''' || style="text-align:center;" |'''Path length''' || style="text-align:center;" |'''Damage'''
|-
|-
|bgcolor=#{{Storm colour|cat4}} | <big>'''F4'''</big>
|bgcolor=#{{Storm colour|cat3}} | <big>'''F3'''</big>
|'''N of [[New Grand Chain, Illinois|New Grand Chain]] to N of [[Golconda, Illinois|Golconda]]'''
|'''[[New Baden, Illinois|New Baden]] area'''
|[[Pulaski County, Illinois|Pulaski]], [[Massac County, Illinois|Massac]], [[Pope County, Illinois|Pope]]
|[[Clinton County, Illinois|Clinton]]
|2110
|2032
|33 miles <br> (52.8&nbsp;km)
|11 miles
|'''1 death'''
|'''2 deaths''' Several homes were destroyed while several others sustained minor to severe damage while other structures including frame homes (including being swept away from its foundation), mobile homes, two businesses, outbuildings and a campground were destroyed. A Conservation Area sustained severe damage to its facilities. Thirteen people were also injured. [[May 2003 tornado outbreak sequence#Paducah area tornadoes|See section on this tornado]]
|-
|-
|}
|}


{| class="wikitable collapsible" width="100%"
{| class="wikitable collapsible" width="100%"
!colspan="6"|December 18, 1957
!colspan="6"|April 5, 1985
|-
|-
|'''<center>[[Fujita scale|F#]]'''</center> || <center>'''Location'''</center> || <center>'''County'''</center> || <center>'''Time (local)'''</center> || <center>'''Path length'''</center> || <center>'''Damage'''</center>
|style="text-align:center;" |'''[[Fujita scale|F#]]''' || style="text-align:center;" |'''Location''' || style="text-align:center;" |'''County''' || style="text-align:center;" |'''Time (local)''' || style="text-align:center;" |'''Path length''' || style="text-align:center;" |'''Damage'''
|-
|-
|bgcolor=#{{Storm colour|cat4}} | <big>'''F4'''</big>
|bgcolor=#{{Storm colour|cat2}} | <big>'''F2'''</big>
|'''[[Mt. Vernon, Illinois|Mt Vernon]] area'''
|'''SW of [[Clarmin, Illinois|Clarmin]] area'''
|[[Jefferson County, Illinois|Jefferson]]
|[[Randolph County, Illinois|Randolph]]
|458
|1555
|1.8 miles
|Unknown
|'''1 death'''
|'''1 death'''
|-
|-
|}
|}


{| class="wikitable collapsible" width="100%"
{| class="wikitable collapsible" width="100%"
!colspan="6"|December 18, 1957
!colspan="6"|June 2, 1990
|-
|-
|'''<center>[[Fujita scale|F#]]'''</center> || <center>'''Location'''</center> || <center>'''County'''</center> || <center>'''Time (local)'''</center> || <center>'''Path length'''</center> || <center>'''Damage'''</center>
|style="text-align:center;" |'''[[Fujita scale|F#]]''' || style="text-align:center;" |'''Location''' || style="text-align:center;" |'''County''' || style="text-align:center;" |'''Time (local)''' || style="text-align:center;" |'''Path length''' || style="text-align:center;" |'''Damage'''
|-
|-
|bgcolor=#{{Storm colour|cat5}} | <big>'''F5'''</big>
|bgcolor=#{{Storm colour|cat4}} | <big>'''F4'''</big>
|'''[[Du Quoin, Illinois|Du Quoin]] area'''
|'''N of [[Aden, Illinois|Aden]] to [[Mt. Carmel, Illinois|Mt. Carmel]]'''
|[[Hamilton County, Illinois|Hamilton]], [[Wayne County, Illinois|Wayne]], [[Edwards County, Illinois|Edwards]], [[Wabash County, Illinois|Wabash]]
|[[Perry County, Illinois|Perry]]
|1720
|1635
|43 miles
|Unknown
|'''1 death'''
|'''1 death'''
|-
|-
Line 134: Line 255:
!colspan="6"|April 21, 2002
!colspan="6"|April 21, 2002
|-
|-
|'''<center>[[Fujita scale|F#]]'''</center> || <center>'''Location'''</center> || <center>'''County'''</center> || <center>'''Time (local)'''</center> || <center>'''Path length'''</center> || <center>'''Damage'''</center>
|style="text-align:center;" |'''[[Fujita scale|F#]]''' || style="text-align:center;" |'''Location''' || style="text-align:center;" |'''County''' || style="text-align:center;" |'''Time (local)''' || style="text-align:center;" |'''Path length''' || style="text-align:center;" |'''Damage'''
|-
|-
|bgcolor=#{{Storm colour|cat3}} | <big>'''F3'''</big>
|bgcolor=#{{Storm colour|cat3}} | <big>'''F3'''</big>
|'''W of [[Wayne City, Illinois|Wayne City]] to [[Ellery, Illinois|Ellery]]'''
|'''W of [[Wayne City, Illinois|Wayne City]] to [[Ellery, Illinois|Ellery]]'''
|[[Wayne County, Illinois|Wayne]]
|[[Wayne County, Illinois|Wayne]]
|1449 <ref>{{Cite web |url=http://www.tornadohistoryproject.com/tornado/20020421.17.3 |title=Tornado History Project: 20020421.17.3 |access-date=2020-02-03 |archive-date=2020-02-03 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200203134732/http://www.tornadohistoryproject.com/tornado/20020421.17.3 |url-status=dead }}</ref>
|1451
|30 miles <br> (52.8&nbsp;km)
|30 miles <br /> (52.8&nbsp;km)
|'''1 death''' Vehicles were picked up and deposited in houses. Well-constructed houses lost roofs and some walls. Weaker structures, including a tavern near [[Sims, Illinois|Sims]], were demolished.
|'''1 death''' Vehicles were picked up and deposited in houses. Well-constructed houses lost roofs and some walls. Weaker structures, including a tavern near [[Sims, Illinois|Sims]], were demolished.
|-
|}

{| class="wikitable collapsible" width="100%"
!colspan="6"|April 21, 2002
|-
|'''<center>[[Fujita scale|F#]]'''</center> || <center>'''Location'''</center> || <center>'''County'''</center> || <center>'''Time (local)'''</center> || <center>'''Path length'''</center> || <center>'''Damage'''</center>
|-
|-
|bgcolor=#{{Storm colour|cat3}} | <big>'''F3'''</big>
|bgcolor=#{{Storm colour|cat3}} | <big>'''F3'''</big>
|'''9 W [[Dongola, Illinois|Dongola]] to 7 E [[Dongola, Illinois|Dongola]]
|'''9 W [[Dongola, Illinois|Dongola]] to 7 E [[Dongola, Illinois|Dongola]]'''
|[[Union County, Illinois|Union]]
|[[Union County, Illinois|Union]]
|0018
|0018
Line 158: Line 272:
|-
|-
|}
|}

{| class="wikitable collapsible" width="100%"
!colspan="6"|[[Tornado outbreak sequence of May 2003|May 6, 2003]]
|-
|style="text-align:center;" |'''[[Fujita scale|F#]]''' || style="text-align:center;" |'''Location''' || style="text-align:center;" |'''County''' || style="text-align:center;" |'''Time (local)''' || style="text-align:center;" |'''Path length''' || style="text-align:center;" |'''Damage'''
|-
|bgcolor=#{{Storm colour|cat4}} | <big>'''F4'''</big>
|'''N of [[New Grand Chain, Illinois|New Grand Chain]] to N of [[Golconda, Illinois|Golconda]]'''
|[[Pulaski County, Illinois|Pulaski]], [[Massac County, Illinois|Massac]], [[Pope County, Illinois|Pope]]
|2032
|33 miles <br /> (52.8&nbsp;km)
|'''2 deaths''' Several homes were destroyed while several others sustained minor to severe damage while other structures including frame homes (including being swept away from its foundation), mobile homes, two businesses, outbuildings and a campground were destroyed. A Conservation Area sustained severe damage to its facilities. Thirteen people were also injured. [[May 2003 tornado outbreak sequence#Paducah area tornadoes|See section on this tornado]]
|-
|}

{| class="wikitable collapsible" width="100%"
!colspan="6"|[[Tornado outbreak of April 2, 2006|April 2, 2006]]
|-
|style="text-align:center;" |'''[[Fujita scale|F#]]''' || style="text-align:center;" |'''Location''' || style="text-align:center;" |'''County''' || style="text-align:center;" |'''Time (local)''' || style="text-align:center;" |'''Path length''' || style="text-align:center;" |'''Damage'''
|-
|bgcolor=#{{Storm colour|cat2}} | <big>'''F2'''</big>
|'''SW of [[Fairview Heights, Illinois|Fairview Heights]] to 4&nbsp;mi NE of [[Fairview Heights, Illinois|Fairview Heights]]'''
|[[St. Clair County, Illinois|St. Clair]]
|1615
|7 miles
|'''1 death'''
|-
|}

{| class="wikitable collapsible" width="100%"
!colspan="6"|[[2012 Leap Day tornado outbreak|February 29, 2012]]
|-
|style="text-align:center;" |'''[[Fujita scale|F#]]''' || style="text-align:center;" |'''Location''' || style="text-align:center;" |'''County''' || style="text-align:center;" |'''Time (local)''' || style="text-align:center;" |'''Path length''' || style="text-align:center;" |'''Damage'''
|-
|bgcolor=#{{Storm colour|cat4}} | '''EF4'''
|'''[[Carrier Mills, Illinois|Carrier Mills]] to [[Ridgway, Illinois|Ridgway]]'''
|[[Saline County, Illinois|Saline]], [[Gallatin County, Illinois|Gallatin]]
|1051
|26.5 miles
|'''8 deaths''' 110 people were injured, two neighborhoods were completely flattened, and a shopping mall and church were destroyed in [[Harrisburg, Illinois|Harrisburg]]. In Harrisburg over 200 homes and about 25 businesses were destroyed or damaged heavily. At least 10 homes and other buildings were leveled completely and several structures were swept from their foundations. [[2012 Leap Day tornado outbreak#Harrisburg–Ridgway, Illinois|See section on this tornado]]
|-
|}

{| class="wikitable collapsible" width="100%"
!colspan="6"|[[Tornado outbreak of November 17, 2013|November 17, 2013]]
|-
|style="text-align:center;" |'''[[Fujita scale|F#]]''' || style="text-align:center;" |'''Location''' || style="text-align:center;" |'''County''' || style="text-align:center;" |'''Time (local)''' || style="text-align:center;" |'''Path length''' || style="text-align:center;" |'''Damage'''
|-
|bgcolor=#{{Storm colour|cat3}} | '''EF3'''
|'''[[Woodville, Kentucky]] to [[Brookport, Illinois]] to NW of [[Eddyville, Kentucky]]'''
|[[McCracken County, Kentucky|McCracken (KY)]], [[Massac County, Illinois|Massac (IL)]], [[Pope County, Illinois|Pope (IL)]], [[Livingston County, Kentucky|Livingston (KY)]], [[Lyon County, Kentucky|Lyon (KY)]]
|2005
|42 miles
|'''3 deaths''' This tornado completely destroyed dozens of mobile homes, many of which were blown over 100 feet (30 m). Also in Brookport, a frail site-built home was leveled, and dozens of homes, garages, storage buildings, and businesses sustained structural damage. Hundreds of trees were downed and cars were tossed as well. [[Tornado outbreak of November 17, 2013#Paducah, Kentucky/Brookport–Shady Grove–Unionville, Illinois|See section on this tornado]]
|-
|}

==See also==
* [[Climate of Illinois]]
* [[List of North American tornadoes and tornado outbreaks]]
* [[St. Louis tornado history]]

==References==
{{Reflist}}


==External links==
==External links==
* [http://www.tornadoproject.com/toptens/1.htm The Tri-State Tornado] (The Tornado Project)
* [https://web.archive.org/web/20131031201949/http://www.tornadoproject.com/toptens/1.htm The Tri-State Tornado] (The Tornado Project)
* [http://www.crh.noaa.gov/pah/1925/ 1925 Tri-State Tornado] (NWS Paducah, KY)
* [http://www.crh.noaa.gov/pah/1925/ 1925 Tri-State Tornado] (NWS Paducah, Kentucky)
* [http://www.weather.com/newscenter/specialreports/sotc/storm7/page1.html The Weather Channel's ''Storm of the Century'' list - #7 The Tri-State Tornado]
* [https://web.archive.org/web/20030306210100/http://www.weather.com/newscenter/specialreports/sotc/storm7/page1.html The Weather Channel's ''Storm of the Century'' list - #7 The Tri-State Tornado]
* [http://www.rootsweb.com/~ilfrankl/subjects/tornado.htm The Great Tri-State Tornado] (RootsWeb Genealogy)
* [https://web.archive.org/web/20081016135615/http://www.rootsweb.com/~ilfrankl/subjects/tornado.htm The Great Tri-State Tornado] (RootsWeb Genealogy)
* [http://www.lib.niu.edu/ipo/2001/ihy011210.html Newspaper Coverage of the Tri-State Tornado Ravage of Murphysboro] (NIU Library)
* [https://web.archive.org/web/20081013085039/http://www.lib.niu.edu/ipo/2001/ihy011210.html Newspaper Coverage of the Tri-State Tornado Ravage of Murphysboro] (NIU Library)
* [http://www.popularmechanics.com/science/worst_case_scenarios/4219866.html?series=31 Tri-State Tornado: Missouri, Illinois, Indiana, March 1925] ([[Popular Mechanics]])
* [https://web.archive.org/web/20100128043417/http://www.popularmechanics.com/science/worst_case_scenarios/4219866.html?series=31 Tri-State Tornado: Missouri, Illinois, Indiana, March 1925] ([[Popular Mechanics]])
* [http://www.carolyar.com/Illinois/Misc/Tornado.htm The 1925 Tornado] (Carolyar.com Genealogy)
* [http://www.carolyar.com/Illinois/Misc/Tornado.htm The 1925 Tornado] (Carolyar.com Genealogy)
* [http://utvols.8m.com/1925.html 1925 Monster Tornado Killed Hundreds Led to Development of Warning System]
* [http://utvols.8m.com/1925.html 1925 Monster Tornado Killed Hundreds Led to Development of Warning System] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20000925132141/http://utvols.8m.com/1925.html |date=2000-09-25 }}


;Books
;Books
* ''The Tri-State Tornado: The Story of America's Greatest Tornado Disaster'', by Peter S. Felknor. Ames, Iowa: Iowa State University Press, 1992. 131 pages. ISBN 0-8138-0623-2.
* ''The Tri-State Tornado: The Story of America's Greatest Tornado Disaster'', by Peter S. Felknor. Ames, Iowa: Iowa State University Press, 1992. 131 pages. {{ISBN|0-8138-0623-2}}.
* ''The Forgotten Storm: The Great Tri-state Tornado of 1925'', by Wallace E. Akin. Guilford, CT: Lyons Press, 2002. 173 pages. ISBN 1-58574-607-X.
* ''The Forgotten Storm: The Great Tri-state Tornado of 1925'', by Wallace E. Akin. Guilford, Connecticut: Lyons Press, 2002. 173 pages. {{ISBN|1-58574-607-X}}.


{{25 deadliest US tornadoes}}
{{Deadliest United States tornadoes}}
{{10 costliest US tornadoes}}
{{10 costliest US tornadoes}}


{{DEFAULTSORT:Southern Illinois tornado history}}
[[Category:F5 tornadoes]]
[[Category:F4 tornadoes]]
[[Category:F4 tornadoes| Southern Illinois]]
[[Category:Tornadoes of 1925]]
[[Category:F5 tornadoes| Southern Illinois]]
[[Category:Illinois tornadoes]]
[[Category:Tornadoes in Illinois| Southern Illinois]]
[[Category:Perry County, Missouri]]
[[Category:Perry County, Missouri|Tornado history]]
[[Category:Jackson County, Illinois]]
[[Category:Jackson County, Illinois|Tornado history]]
[[Category:Williamson County, Illinois]]
[[Category:Williamson County, Illinois|Tornado history]]
[[Category:Franklin County, Illinois]]
[[Category:Franklin County, Illinois|Tornado history]]
[[Category:Hamilton County, Illinois]]
[[Category:Hamilton County, Illinois|Tornado history]]
[[Category:Union County, Illinois]]
[[Category:Union County, Illinois|Tornado history]]
[[Category:Wayne County, Illinois]]
[[Category:Wayne County, Illinois|Tornado history]]
[[Category:Massac County, Illinois]]
[[Category:Massac County, Illinois|Tornado history]]
[[Category:Pulaski County, Illinois]]
[[Category:Pulaski County, Illinois|Tornado history]]
[[Category:St. Clair County, Illinois]]
[[Category:History of St. Clair County, Illinois|Tornado history]]
[[Category:Monroe County, Illinois]]
[[Category:Monroe County, Illinois|Tornado history]]
[[Category:1925 in the United States]]

Latest revision as of 16:54, 18 December 2024

Listed below are confirmed killer tornadoes listed by date in Southern Illinois, United States. Modern record keeping in the region began in the 1880s, although there were undoubtedly many other deaths that have been lost to history. It is important to note that before the 1950s tornadoes were not officially ranked. The current rankings are an estimation due to the accounts of witnesses.

Southern Illinois tornadoes by death toll

[edit]
Confirmed tornadoes by Fujita rating
FU F0 F1 F2 F3 F4 F5 Total
0 0 0 3 5 9 2 17
March 19, 1883
F# Location County Time (local) Path length Damage
F4 Alton to Bunker Hill Monroe Unknown Unknown 33 deaths
November 6, 1885
F# Location County Time (local) Path length Damage
F3 SE of Sacramento to N of Carmi White 1645 16 miles (26 km) 1 death
April 22, 1887
F# Location County Time (local) Path length Damage
F4 Mt. Carmel to near the White River, Indiana Wabash Illinois – Gibson, Pike 1800 30 miles (48 km) 5 deaths
June 3, 1887
F# Location County Time (local) Path length Damage
F1 Old Shawneetown Gallitan Unknown Unknown 3 deaths
February 19, 1888
F# Location County Time (local) Path length Damage
F4 Mt. Vernon Jefferson 1630 20 miles (32 km) 24 deaths The southern half of Mt. Vernon was destroyed. 300 homes and 50 businesses were destroyed or damaged
March 27, 1890
F# Location County Time (local) Path length Damage
F4 NW of Shawneetown to N of Carbondale Cape Girardeau, Perry Missouri – Jackson Illinois 1620 30 miles (48 km) 7 deaths
F4 NW of Thebes to Stonefort Scott Missouri – Alexander, Union, Johnson, Williamson Illinois 1645 55 miles (89 km) 2 deaths
F3 W of Sparta to ENE of Nashville Randolph, Washington 1715 40 miles (64 km) 2 deaths
F4 Metropolis to West Louisville Massac Illinois – McCracken, Pope, Livingston, Crittenden, Webster, McClean, Daviess Kentucky 1715 95 miles (153 km) 21 deaths Likely a family of tornadoes
F2 W of Carmi to Crossville White 1800 5 miles (8.0 km) 1 deaths
May 27, 1896
F# Location County Time (local) Path length Damage
F4 St. Louis, Missouri to East St. Louis, Illinois St. Louis City, Missouri – St.Clair, Illinois Unknown Unknown 118 deaths in Southern Illinois

282+ deaths overall – See section on this tornado

March 18, 1925
F# Location County Time (local) Path length Damage
F5 NNW of Ellington, Missouri to 10 mi (16 km) NE of Princeton, Indiana Reynolds, Iron, Madison, Bollinger, Cape Girardeau, Perry, Missouri – Jackson, Williamson, Franklin, Hamilton, White, Illinois – Posey, Gibson, Pike, Indiana 1301 234 miles (377 km) 613 deaths in Southern Illinois

695 deaths overall Deadliest single tornado in US history. Most extreme tornado in recorded history. Holds the record longest path length (219 miles, 352 km), longest duration (about 3.5 hours), and fastest forward speed for a significant tornado (73 mph, 117 km/h). Unlike other earlier tornadoes on this list, this tornado is now believed to be one single tornado, not a tornado family See section on this tornado

December 18, 1957
F# Location County Time (local) Path length Damage
F5 N of Du Quoin to W of Sesser Perry 1635 5 miles 1 death. 6 injuries. Caused $50,000-$500,000 in damages. Touched down in a mostly rural area.
F4 Murphysboro to rural Franklin County Jackson, Williamson, Franklin 1645 Unknown 11 deaths
F4 Mt. Vernon area Jefferson 1555 Unknown 1 death
March 30, 1982
F# Location County Time (local) Path length Damage
F2 Ina area Jefferson 2030 0.8 miles 1 death
May 29, 1982
F# Location County Time (local) Path length Damage
F4 WNW of Carterville to E of Marion Williamson 1405 17 miles 10 deaths 52 businesses and 300 homes were destroyed, 324 homes were damaged, and over 200 cars destroyed. Over 200 were injured and 1,000 left homeless. See section on this tornado
December 2, 1982
F# Location County Time (local) Path length Damage
F3 New Baden area Clinton 2110 11 miles 1 death
April 5, 1985
F# Location County Time (local) Path length Damage
F2 SW of Clarmin area Randolph 458 1.8 miles 1 death
June 2, 1990
F# Location County Time (local) Path length Damage
F4 N of Aden to Mt. Carmel Hamilton, Wayne, Edwards, Wabash 1720 43 miles 1 death
April 21, 2002
F# Location County Time (local) Path length Damage
F3 W of Wayne City to Ellery Wayne 1449 [1] 30 miles
(52.8 km) 		1 death Vehicles were picked up and deposited in houses. Well-constructed houses lost roofs and some walls. Weaker structures, including a tavern near Sims, were demolished.
F3 9 W Dongola to 7 E Dongola Union 0018 16 miles 1 death A train was blown off the tracks. Several wood houses were demolished, and seven double-wide trailers were destroyed. Approximately 75 homes were damaged. A recreational vehicle was tossed across Lake Dongola and impaled into the ground.
May 6, 2003
F# Location County Time (local) Path length Damage
F4 N of New Grand Chain to N of Golconda Pulaski, Massac, Pope 2032 33 miles
(52.8 km) 		2 deaths Several homes were destroyed while several others sustained minor to severe damage while other structures including frame homes (including being swept away from its foundation), mobile homes, two businesses, outbuildings and a campground were destroyed. A Conservation Area sustained severe damage to its facilities. Thirteen people were also injured. See section on this tornado
April 2, 2006
F# Location County Time (local) Path length Damage
F2 SW of Fairview Heights to 4 mi NE of Fairview Heights St. Clair 1615 7 miles 1 death
February 29, 2012
F# Location County Time (local) Path length Damage
EF4 Carrier Mills to Ridgway Saline, Gallatin 1051 26.5 miles 8 deaths 110 people were injured, two neighborhoods were completely flattened, and a shopping mall and church were destroyed in Harrisburg. In Harrisburg over 200 homes and about 25 businesses were destroyed or damaged heavily. At least 10 homes and other buildings were leveled completely and several structures were swept from their foundations. See section on this tornado
November 17, 2013
F# Location County Time (local) Path length Damage
EF3 Woodville, Kentucky to Brookport, Illinois to NW of Eddyville, Kentucky McCracken (KY), Massac (IL), Pope (IL), Livingston (KY), Lyon (KY) 2005 42 miles 3 deaths This tornado completely destroyed dozens of mobile homes, many of which were blown over 100 feet (30 m). Also in Brookport, a frail site-built home was leveled, and dozens of homes, garages, storage buildings, and businesses sustained structural damage. Hundreds of trees were downed and cars were tossed as well. See section on this tornado

See also

[edit]

References

[edit]
  1. ^ "Tornado History Project: 20020421.17.3". Archived from the original on 2020-02-03. Retrieved 2020-02-03.
[edit]
Books
  • The Tri-State Tornado: The Story of America's Greatest Tornado Disaster, by Peter S. Felknor. Ames, Iowa: Iowa State University Press, 1992. 131 pages. ISBN 0-8138-0623-2.
  • The Forgotten Storm: The Great Tri-state Tornado of 1925, by Wallace E. Akin. Guilford, Connecticut: Lyons Press, 2002. 173 pages. ISBN 1-58574-607-X.
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