Illinois Storm & Severe Weather History
Since 1996, Illinois has logged 58,918 severe-weather events — about 1,901 a year — with 855 direct deaths, 2,102 injuries and $5.5B in reported property damage.
By event type
Thunderstorm Wind17,54619 d$599.5M
Hail10,498—$216.5M
Flash Flood3,23925 d$2.5B
Flood3,17630 d$274.9M
Winter Storm2,92711 d$81.8M
Winter Weather2,9172 d$1.9M
Tornado2,27754 d$1.7B
Dense Fog2,188—$219K
Heat2,030363 d$25K
Drought1,586——
Heavy Snow1,5128 d$460K
Strong Wind1,5036 d$2.8M
High Wind1,3009 d$37.3M
Excessive Heat1,22460 d$750K
Frost/Freeze1,143——
Cold/Wind Chill903159 d$8K
Events by year
19962026
Notable events (532)
Events with deaths, major damage, or a strong tornado — deadliest first.
Tornado (EF3)March 31, 2023
Crawford · 3 killed · 8 injured ·
Cold/Wind ChillJanuary 12, 2015
Cook · 3 killed ·
Cold/Wind ChillFebruary 3, 2014
Cook · 3 killed ·
Excessive HeatJuly 19, 2013
Cook · 3 killed ·
HeatJuly 17, 2012
Cook · 3 killed ·
Cold/Wind ChillDecember 5, 2010
Cook · 3 killed ·
HeatMay 23, 2010
Will · 3 killed ·
Cold/Wind ChillJanuary 1, 2010
Cook · 3 killed ·
Excessive HeatJune 22, 2009
Cook · 3 killed ·
Cold/Wind ChillDecember 4, 2008
Cook · 3 killed ·
Cold/Wind ChillDecember 5, 2005
Cook · 3 killed ·
HeatJuly 28, 1999
Lake · 3 killed ·
HeatJuly 28, 1999
Will · 3 killed ·
HeatJuly 14, 1998
Cook · 3 killed ·
Tornado (EF3)April 9, 2015
De Kalb · 2 killed · 11 injured · $8.0M damage
FloodMarch 18, 2008
Jefferson · 2 killed · $58K damage
Strong WindNovember 18, 2017
Union · 2 killed · $15K damage
Rip CurrentNovember 4, 2018
Lake · 2 killed ·
Tornado (EF3)February 28, 2017
La Salle · 2 killed · 14 injured ·
Cold/Wind ChillJanuary 18, 2016
Cook · 2 killed ·
Cold/Wind ChillJanuary 11, 2016
Cook · 2 killed ·
Thunderstorm WindAugust 2, 2015
Du Page · 2 killed · 19 injured ·
Cold/Wind ChillFebruary 14, 2015
Morgan · 2 killed ·
Cold/Wind ChillJanuary 15, 2015
Will · 2 killed ·
Tornado (EF4)November 17, 2013
Washington · 2 killed · 2 injured ·
HeatJuly 19, 2013
Will · 2 killed ·
Excessive HeatJuly 1, 2012
Madison · 2 killed ·
Excessive HeatJuly 17, 2011
Madison · 2 killed ·
Excessive HeatJuly 17, 2011
St. Clair · 2 killed ·
Cold/Wind ChillDecember 3, 2010
Will · 2 killed ·
Cold/Wind ChillJanuary 26, 2010
Cook · 2 killed ·
Cold/Wind ChillDecember 29, 2009
Cook · 2 killed ·
Cold/Wind ChillDecember 8, 2009
Cook · 2 killed ·
Thunderstorm WindJuly 21, 2008
Henry · 2 killed · 4 injured ·
Cold/Wind ChillJanuary 2, 2008
Cook · 2 killed ·
Excessive HeatAugust 4, 2007
Madison · 2 killed · 6 injured ·
Extreme Cold/Wind ChillJanuary 28, 2007
Cook · 2 killed ·
HeatAugust 25, 2003
Cook · 2 killed ·
HeatAugust 10, 2002
Cook · 2 killed ·
HeatJuly 26, 2002
Cook · 2 killed ·
Source: NOAA/NCEI Storm Events Database. Counts are every logged event since 1996; the "notable" list is filtered to events with fatalities, major damage or a strong tornado. Damage is the reporting office's estimate. A record of past weather is not a forecast. See About the Data.