If you’ve been around for a while, you probably remember some of the worst storms ever to hit Illinois. From destructive tornados to freezing blizzards, we’ve seen some terrible weather in this state.
These are nine of the most devastating natural disasters to happen in Illinois. Keep scrolling to learn about them all.
- 1967 Tornado
Wikipedia/Cameron Nixon On April 21, 1967, a trio of F4 tornados tore through many towns such as Belvidere, Elgin, Lake Zurich, Palos Hills, and Chicago. Over a thousand people were injured while 57 lost their lives. The storm caused over $10 million worth of damage.
- The Blizzard of 1979
Wikimedia Commons/Dahoov2 Effecting both northern Illinois and Indiana, this storm brought just over 20 inches of snow, though only two to four were expected. It lasted January 13-14, 1979, and five people died.
- 1925 Tornado
Wikimedia Commons/ Edeans Also known as the Great Tri-State Tornado, a level F5 twister traveled across Missouri, Illinois, and Indiana leaving 541 people dead in its wake. More than 1,500 were injured during this March 18, 1925 storm which cut across the towns of Murphysboro, West Frankfort, DeSoto, and Gorham.
- North American Blizzard of 1999
Pixabay/Free-Photos During January 2 - 4, 1999, a massive blizzard hit the entire Midwest and parts of nearby Canada. Nearly 22 inches of snow fell, and in the days following, Arctic temperatures arose. There are no deaths recorded as a result of this storm but many were unable to leave their homes for days.
- 1948 Tornado
Wikimedia Commons/NOAA Photo Library In this year, a F4 tornado left 33 dead and 449 injured. It swept thorugh Alton, Bunker Hill, Fosterburg, and Gillespie, destroying many towns. It occurred March 19 nearly 70 years ago, so only few remember.
- The Super Bowl Blizzard
Wikimedia Commons/Mr. Granger This blizzard left over 19 inches of snow, with up to nearly 22 inches in some spots, which is more than twice the average in a given year. It took place January 31 through February 2, 2015 and immediately became a record storm due to some of the heaviest snowfall to ever hit the state.
- 2012 Tornado
Wikimedia Commons/ pat York Measuring at level EF4, a tornado touched down in Harrisburg and Ridgeway at the most odd time of year. It was February 29, 2012, when most are still worried about impending blizzards that this storm struck and left eight died and 95 injured.
- Snowpocalypse/Groundhog Day Blizzard
Wikimedia Commons/Victorgrigas January 31 thorugh February 2, 2011, parts of Illinois received about 21.2 inches of snow. The storm effected much of the United States, and in Illinois, made problems for people from Springfield to Chicago. The blizzard came with winds over 60 miles per hour and below-average temperatures as well.
- 2013 Tornado
Wikipedia/Mrluckypants Again at a very unusual time of year, November 17, 2013, a catastrophic tornado touched down in New Minden and Washington. It left five people dead and over 100 people injured all together and is still fresh in the minds of these towns’ residents.
If you’re worried about this upcoming winter, check out these predictions about the upcoming winter in Illinois.
Wikipedia/Cameron Nixon
On April 21, 1967, a trio of F4 tornados tore through many towns such as Belvidere, Elgin, Lake Zurich, Palos Hills, and Chicago. Over a thousand people were injured while 57 lost their lives. The storm caused over $10 million worth of damage.
Wikimedia Commons/Dahoov2
Effecting both northern Illinois and Indiana, this storm brought just over 20 inches of snow, though only two to four were expected. It lasted January 13-14, 1979, and five people died.
Wikimedia Commons/ Edeans
Also known as the Great Tri-State Tornado, a level F5 twister traveled across Missouri, Illinois, and Indiana leaving 541 people dead in its wake. More than 1,500 were injured during this March 18, 1925 storm which cut across the towns of Murphysboro, West Frankfort, DeSoto, and Gorham.
Pixabay/Free-Photos
During January 2 - 4, 1999, a massive blizzard hit the entire Midwest and parts of nearby Canada. Nearly 22 inches of snow fell, and in the days following, Arctic temperatures arose. There are no deaths recorded as a result of this storm but many were unable to leave their homes for days.
Wikimedia Commons/NOAA Photo Library
In this year, a F4 tornado left 33 dead and 449 injured. It swept thorugh Alton, Bunker Hill, Fosterburg, and Gillespie, destroying many towns. It occurred March 19 nearly 70 years ago, so only few remember.
Wikimedia Commons/Mr. Granger
This blizzard left over 19 inches of snow, with up to nearly 22 inches in some spots, which is more than twice the average in a given year. It took place January 31 through February 2, 2015 and immediately became a record storm due to some of the heaviest snowfall to ever hit the state.
Wikimedia Commons/ pat York
Measuring at level EF4, a tornado touched down in Harrisburg and Ridgeway at the most odd time of year. It was February 29, 2012, when most are still worried about impending blizzards that this storm struck and left eight died and 95 injured.
Wikimedia Commons/Victorgrigas
January 31 thorugh February 2, 2011, parts of Illinois received about 21.2 inches of snow. The storm effected much of the United States, and in Illinois, made problems for people from Springfield to Chicago. The blizzard came with winds over 60 miles per hour and below-average temperatures as well.
Wikipedia/Mrluckypants
Again at a very unusual time of year, November 17, 2013, a catastrophic tornado touched down in New Minden and Washington. It left five people dead and over 100 people injured all together and is still fresh in the minds of these towns’ residents.
Do you remember any of these storms? Share your experiences with us!
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