Broughton, IL Natural Disasters and Weather Extremes
Hot Rankings
The chance of earthquake damage in Broughton is much higher than Illinois average and is higher than the national average. The risk of tornado damage in Broughton is lower than Illinois average and is higher than the national average.
Earthquake Index, #13
| Broughton, IL | 2.80 |
| Illinois | 0.24 |
| U.S. | 1.81 |
The earthquake index value is calculated based on historical earthquake events data using USA.com algorithms. It is an indicator of the earthquake level in a region. A higher earthquake index value means a higher chance of an earthquake.
Volcano Index, #1
| Broughton, IL | 0.0000 |
| Illinois | 0.0000 |
| U.S. | 0.0023 |
The volcano index value is calculated based on the currently known volcanoes using USA.com algorithms. It is an indicator of the possibility of a region being affected by a possible volcano eruption. A higher volcano index value means a higher chance of being affected.
Tornado Index, #1177
| Broughton, IL | 189.31 |
| Illinois | 220.15 |
| U.S. | 136.45 |
The tornado index value is calculated based on historical tornado events data using USA.com algorithms. It is an indicator of the tornado level in a region. A higher tornado index value means a higher chance of tornado events.
Other Weather Extremes Events
A total of 3,293 other weather extremes events within 50 miles of Broughton, IL were recorded from 1950 to 2010. The following is a break down of these events:
| Type | Count | Type | Count | Type | Count | Type | Count | Type | Count |
| Avalanche: | 0 | Blizzard: | 2 | Cold: | 30 | Dense Fog: | 25 | Drought: | 18 |
| Dust Storm: | 0 | Flood: | 590 | Hail: | 832 | Heat: | 59 | Heavy Snow: | 48 |
| High Surf: | 0 | Hurricane: | 0 | Ice Storm: | 14 | Landslide: | 1 | Strong Wind: | 41 |
| Thunderstorm Winds: | 1,295 | Tropical Storm: | 0 | Wildfire: | 2 | Winter Storm: | 54 | Winter Weather: | 36 |
| Other: | 246 | ||||||||
Volcanos Nearby
No volcano is found in or near Broughton, IL.
Historical Earthquake Events
A total of 5 historical earthquake events that had recorded magnitudes of 3.5 or above found in or near Broughton, IL.
| Distance (miles) | Date | Magnitude | Depth (km) | Latitude | Longitude |
| 5.0 | 1968-11-09 | 5.3 | N/A | 38 | -88.5 |
| 49.6 | 1974-04-03 | 4.7 | 11 | 38.59 | -88.09 |
| 16.2 | 1984-06-29 | 4.1 | 2 | 37.7 | -88.47 |
| 33.6 | 1978-06-02 | 3.5 | 20 | 38.42 | -88.46 |
| 47.7 | 1978-12-05 | 3.5 | 25 | 38.62 | -88.36 |
Historical Tornado Events
A total of 94 historical tornado events that had recorded magnitude of 2 or above found in or near Broughton, IL.
| Distance (miles) | Date | Magnitude | Start Lat/Log | End Lat/Log | Length | Width | Fatalities | Injuries | Property Damage | Crop Damage | Affected County |
| 8.8 | 1961-03-06 | 2 | 37°48'N / 88°32'W | 37°49'N / 88°27'W | 4.70 Miles | 100 Yards | 0 | 2 | 250K | 0 | Saline |
| 9.0 | 1975-01-10 | 2 | 37°49'N / 88°32'W | 2.00 Miles | 587 Yards | 0 | 0 | 250K | 0 | Saline | |
| 9.0 | 2002-04-28 | 2 | 37°50'N / 88°38'W | 37°50'N / 88°30'W | 7.50 Miles | 200 Yards | 0 | 3 | 3.5M | 0 | Saline |
| Brief Description: The tornado struck Galatia directly, damaging about 55 structures and destroying several. Peak winds were estimated between 120 and 130 MPH. The roof of a car wash was blown off, and then the walls collapsed on a police cruiser that was sheltered there. A coal mine sustained a quarter million dollars in damage. Two persons were injured in an overturned trailer. Two brick homes lost their roofs and some walls. | |||||||||||
| 14.2 | 1990-05-09 | 2 | 38°06'N / 88°37'W | 0.50 Mile | 50 Yards | 0 | 0 | 25K | 0 | Hamilton | |
| 15.1 | 1963-03-16 | 3 | 37°44'N / 88°21'W | 0.30 Mile | 30 Yards | 0 | 0 | 25K | 0 | Gallatin | |
| 16.6 | 1957-12-19 | 2 | 37°42'N / 88°32'W | 0.50 Mile | 100 Yards | 0 | 0 | 25K | 0 | Saline | |
| 18.7 | 1965-02-09 | 2 | 38°06'N / 88°14'W | 38°08'N / 88°11'W | 3.30 Miles | 10 Yards | 0 | 0 | 250K | 0 | White |
| 19.5 | 1964-03-25 | 2 | 38°09'N / 88°42'W | 38°14'N / 88°31'W | 11.50 Miles | 50 Yards | 0 | 2 | 25K | 0 | Hamilton |
| 19.8 | 1996-04-19 | 3 | 38°08'N / 88°42'W | 38°17'N / 88°26'W | 13.00 Miles | 400 Yards | 0 | 0 | 2.8M | 0 | Hamilton |
| Brief Description: Total damage was estimated around 3 million dollars. The tornado destroyed 3 homes and caused moderate to severe damage to 50 others. About 45 barns and outbuildings were damaged or destroyed, along with 60 to 70 grain bins. The small community of Piopolis was nearly devastated. The intensity of the tornado was just weak (F0 or F1) during most of its life, but it briefly reached F3 intensity. | |||||||||||
| 20.6 | 1989-01-07 | 2 | 38°13'N / 88°24'W | 38°14'N / 88°21'W | 3.00 Miles | 100 Yards | 0 | 0 | 2.5M | 0 | Hamilton |
| 21.0 | 1996-04-19 | 3 | 38°09'N / 88°45'W | 38°09'N / 88°43'W | 2.00 Miles | 400 Yards | 0 | 0 | 200K | 0 | Jefferson |
| Brief Description: Total damage was estimated around 3 million dollars. The tornado destroyed 3 homes and caused moderate to severe damage to 50 others. About 45 barns and outbuildings were damaged or destroyed, along with 60 to 70 grain bins. The small community of Piopolis was nearly devastated. The intensity of the tornado was just weak (F0 or F1) during most of its life, but it briefly reached F3 intensity. | |||||||||||
| 21.8 | 1960-02-09 | 2 | 38°11'N / 88°42'W | 38°12'N / 88°41'W | 1.90 Miles | 77 Yards | 0 | 1 | 250K | 0 | Jefferson |
| 21.8 | 1990-06-02 | 4 | 38°15'N / 88°28'W | 38°15'N / 88°25'W | 2.60 Miles | 300 Yards | 0 | 0 | 2.5M | 0 | Hamilton |
| 22.5 | 1957-12-18 | 3 | 38°12'N / 88°42'W | 2.50 Miles | 150 Yards | 0 | 3 | 250K | 0 | Hamilton | |
| 22.6 | 1996-04-19 | 3 | 38°15'N / 88°25'W | 38°16'N / 88°24'W | 2.00 Miles | 400 Yards | 0 | 0 | 200K | 0 | Wayne |
| Brief Description: Total damage was estimated around 3 million dollars. The tornado destroyed 3 homes and caused moderate to severe damage to 50 others. About 45 barns and outbuildings were damaged or destroyed, along with 60 to 70 grain bins. The small community of Piopolis was nearly devastated. The intensity of the tornado was just weak (F0 or F1) during most of its life, but it briefly reached F3 intensity. | |||||||||||
| 23.1 | 1957-12-18 | 3 | 38°10'N / 88°25'W | 38°17'N / 88°05'W | 19.80 Miles | 33 Yards | 0 | 4 | 250K | 0 | Hamilton |
| 23.3 | 1960-02-09 | 2 | 37°58'N / 89°00'W | 38°11'N / 88°42'W | 22.10 Miles | 77 Yards | 0 | 0 | 250K | 0 | Franklin |
| 23.3 | 1989-01-07 | 2 | 38°14'N / 88°21'W | 38°17'N / 88°20'W | 3.00 Miles | 100 Yards | 0 | 6 | 2.5M | 0 | White |
| 24.3 | 1990-10-03 | 2 | 37°35'N / 88°26'W | 1.00 Mile | 100 Yards | 0 | 0 | 250K | 0 | Pope | |
| 26.0 | 1990-06-02 | 4 | 38°15'N / 88°25'W | 38°19'N / 88°09'W | 15.50 Miles | 300 Yards | 0 | 1 | 2.5M | 0 | Wayne |
| 26.8 | 1972-04-21 | 3 | 37°33'N / 88°32'W | 0.30 Mile | 60 Yards | 3 | 0 | 25K | 0 | Pope | |
| 27.1 | 1961-03-06 | 2 | 37°54'N / 89°51'W | 38°23'N / 87°55'W | 110.2 Miles | 33 Yards | 0 | 0 | 2.5M | 0 | Randolph |
| 28.1 | 1982-03-30 | 2 | 38°09'N / 88°54'W | 0.80 Mile | 100 Yards | 1 | 3 | 2.5M | 0 | Jefferson | |
| 28.1 | 1989-01-07 | 2 | 38°17'N / 88°20'W | 38°19'N / 88°08'W | 10.00 Miles | 100 Yards | 0 | 0 | 2.5M | 0 | Wayne |
| 28.2 | 1973-06-02 | 2 | 37°46'N / 88°56'W | 0 | 0 | 250K | 0 | Williamson | |||
| 28.8 | 2002-04-21 | 3 | 38°21'N / 88°42'W | 38°21'N / 88°09'W | 30.00 Miles | 500 Yards | 1 | 42 | 4.0M | 0 | Wayne |
| Brief Description: The tornado entered Wayne County about a half mile north of Illinois Route 15, then proceeded to move northeast to a point about 1.5 miles north of Wayne City. The tornado then paralleled Route 15 just north of Sims. The tornado continued moving east toward Fairfield, and passed through the southern part of Fairfield with F-3 intensity winds. The tornado then travelled slightly south of east toward Golden Gate. The tornado weakened east of Golden Gate and finally dissipated in extreme eastern Wayne County near Ellery. The sole fatality occurred 4 miles west of Wayne City, when a 47-year-old man was killed inside his mobile home. Of the 42 hospital-treated injuries, 13 were critical. A total of 35 homes were destroyed, and 16 received major damage. The average wind speed in the tornado was 130 to 170 MPH, with peak winds at or approaching 200 MPH. The F-3 damage was located near Sims, southern sections of Fairfield, near Merriam, and areas west and north of Wayne City. 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. M47MH | |||||||||||
| 29.0 | 2004-10-18 | 2 | 37°33'N / 88°43'W | 37°32'N / 88°35'W | 6.00 Miles | 300 Yards | 0 | 0 | 150K | 0 | Pope |
| Brief Description: This tornado entered Pope County from Johnson County in a remote area of the Shawnee National Forest. Most of the track was through heavily forested areas, causing extensive tree destruction. The tornado reached its peak intensity about a mile northeast of Bell Smith Springs, a scenic river gorge about 4 miles northwest of Eddyville. Peak winds were estimated near 120 MPH. Near the end of the damage path, just as the tornado was reaching Illinois Route 145, a mobile home was damaged. A supercell thunderstorm organized over southern Jackson County, then spawned a tornado as it moved east along the Union/Williamson County line. This supercell continued east-southeast across northern Johnson and northern Pope Counties, producing two significant tornadoes and large hail. Although the storm exhibited strong rotation as it continued east through Hardin County and across the Ohio River into Kentucky, no additional tornadoes were reported there. | |||||||||||
| 29.2 | 1991-11-19 | 3 | 37°44'N / 88°56'W | 1.50 Miles | 70 Yards | 0 | 16 | 25.0M | 0 | Williamson | |
| 30.9 | 1982-05-29 | 4 | 37°48'N / 89°08'W | 37°43'N / 88°50'W | 17.00 Miles | 400 Yards | 10 | 181 | 250.0M | 0 | Williamson |
| 31.5 | 1989-10-16 | 2 | 38°23'N / 88°22'W | 2.00 Miles | 800 Yards | 0 | 0 | 25K | 0 | Wayne | |
| 32.4 | 1957-12-18 | 4 | 37°51'N / 89°05'W | 37°53'N / 89°01'W | 4.30 Miles | 300 Yards | 0 | 10 | 2.5M | 0 | Franklin |
| 32.5 | 1976-05-30 | 2 | 38°14'N / 88°00'W | 0.30 Mile | 33 Yards | 0 | 0 | 25K | 0 | White | |
| 33.4 | 1973-04-19 | 2 | 37°39'N / 87°58'W | 0.50 Mile | 33 Yards | 0 | 0 | 25K | 0 | Union | |
| 34.1 | 1972-04-14 | 2 | 37°33'N / 88°58'W | 37°34'N / 88°46'W | 10.90 Miles | 30 Yards | 0 | 0 | 25K | 0 | Johnson |
| 35.4 | 2004-10-18 | 2 | 37°36'N / 88°58'W | 37°34'N / 88°54'W | 4.30 Miles | 250 Yards | 0 | 2 | 500K | 0 | Johnson |
| Brief Description: The tornado turned east-southeast from Williamson County back into Johnson County. The bulk of the damage and injuries occurred in a neighborhood on the southern half of the Lake of Egypt. The two injured persons were mobile home residents whose homes were demolished. One of the mobile homes was swept clean off its foundation. The demolished home was deposited 50 to 100 yards away. The 32-year-old male occupant of the mobile home, who was ejected from the home, received numerous bruises and cuts. A female resident of another mobile home was injured. In total, three mobile homes were destroyed, and dozens of mobile homes, barns, and sheds were damaged. Rescue efforts were hampered by a large amount of tree debris on roads. Peak winds in the Lake of Egypt neighborhood were estimated near 120 MPH. The tornado lifted as it reached the southeast side of the Lake of Egypt. The parent thunderstorm produced another tornado in northern Johnson County only a few miles beyond where this tornado lifted. A supercell thunderstorm organized over southern Jackson County, then spawned a tornado as it moved east along the Union/Williamson County line. This supercell continued east-southeast across northern Johnson and northern Pope Counties, producing two significant tornadoes and large hail. Although the storm exhibited strong rotation as it continued east through Hardin County and across the Ohio River into Kentucky, no additional tornadoes were reported there. | |||||||||||
| 35.8 | 1990-06-02 | 4 | 38°19'N / 88°09'W | 38°23'N / 87°59'W | 11.60 Miles | 300 Yards | 1 | 0 | 2.5M | 0 | Edwards |
| 35.9 | 1958-04-05 | 3 | 38°02'N / 89°09'W | 38°06'N / 89°03'W | 7.10 Miles | 100 Yards | 0 | 6 | 250K | 0 | Jackson |
| 36.7 | 1957-12-18 | 4 | 37°50'N / 89°10'W | 37°51'N / 89°05'W | 4.50 Miles | 300 Yards | 0 | 10 | 2.5M | 0 | Williamson |
| 36.8 | 1957-12-18 | 4 | 38°17'N / 89°05'W | 38°21'N / 88°47'W | 16.80 Miles | 250 Yards | 1 | 45 | 2.5M | 0 | Jefferson |
| 36.9 | 1957-12-19 | 2 | 38°12'N / 89°03'W | 1.00 Mile | 67 Yards | 0 | 0 | 25K | 0 | Jefferson | |
| 37.0 | 1989-01-07 | 2 | 38°19'N / 88°08'W | 38°23'N / 87°56'W | 9.00 Miles | 100 Yards | 0 | 0 | 2.5M | 0 | Edwards |
| 37.1 | 1960-06-28 | 3 | 37°42'N / 87°55'W | 37°42'N / 87°47'W | 7.10 Miles | 33 Yards | 0 | 12 | 2.5M | 0 | Union |
| 37.2 | 1957-12-18 | 2 | 38°20'N / 89°01'W | 38°21'N / 88°48'W | 11.60 Miles | 200 Yards | 0 | 0 | 25K | 0 | Jefferson |
| 37.5 | 1971-12-15 | 2 | 37°47'N / 87°48'W | 0 | 0 | 25K | 0 | Henderson | |||
| 37.9 | 2002-09-20 | 2 | 38°06'N / 87°50'W | 38°09'N / 87°47'W | 4.70 Miles | 150 Yards | 0 | 1 | 500K | 0 | Posey |
| Brief Description: The tornado destroyed 10 mobile homes and four buildings. The greatest concentration of damage was on Highway 165 about 2 miles south of Poseyville. Peak winds were estimated around 130 MPH. Among the destroyed structures was a county highway garage. Eight vehicles were tossed, including a small van that was thrown onto a debris pile. One person was treated for a cut. | |||||||||||
| 38.5 | 2008-01-29 | 2 | 38°11'N / 87°52'W | 38°12'N / 87°48'W | 4.00 Miles | 100 Yards | 2 | 0 | 200K | 0K | Posey |
| Brief Description: EVENT NARRATIVE: A mobile home was destroyed. Two occupants of the mobile home were killed. Numerous trees were uprooted. One barn was destroyed, along with some small sheds. Four barns, three houses, and one church were damaged. The damage was mostly to roofs. Peak winds were estimated near 120 mph. The average path width was estimated to be 80 yards. The tornado continued into extreme southern Gibson County. EPISODE NARRATIVE: A powerful cold front moved rapidly southeast across southwest Indiana during the late afternoon hours. An organized line of severe thunderstorms developed along the front as it approached southern Illinois, then swept east across southwest Indiana. Widespread damaging winds accompanied the line of storms. Temperatures fell about 30 degrees in less than one hour when the very strong cold front passed through. | |||||||||||
| 39.4 | 2002-04-28 | 2 | 37°23'N / 88°28'W | 37°21'N / 88°18'W | 10.00 Miles | 200 Yards | 0 | 0 | 40K | 0 | Livingston |
| Brief Description: This tornado crossed the Ohio River just upriver from Golconda, Illinois. It tracked eastward across northern Livingston County, over rural wooded and farm country. Many thousands of trees were blown down. Few structures were in the path of the tornado. A mobile home was destroyed, and at least a couple of farm buildings were damaged. | |||||||||||
| 39.6 | 1974-06-22 | 2 | 37°33'N / 89°00'W | 0 | 0 | 0K | 0 | Johnson | |||
| 39.7 | 2005-11-06 | 3 | 37°50'N / 87°47'W | 37°51'N / 87°42'W | 5.50 Miles | 400 Yards | 0 | 0 | 100K | 0 | Henderson |
| Brief Description: The tornado first touched down in northwest Henderson County and moved rapidly east-northeast across Ohio River bottomland. This fertile bottomland, used primarily for farming, was sparsely populated. A well-defined swath of snapped and uprooted trees was visible by air. An isolated farm house a few miles northeast of Smith Mills was destroyed. A pickup truck at the house was thrown into a field and destroyed. Due to the winding course of the Ohio River, which forms much of the Kentucky/Indiana border, the tornado crossed the river three times. The first crossing was into a peninsular section of Vanderburgh County, Indiana. | |||||||||||
| 39.8 | 2002-04-28 | 3 | 37°21'N / 88°43'W | 37°23'N / 88°28'W | 12.00 Miles | 200 Yards | 0 | 1 | 400K | 0 | Pope |
| Brief Description: The tornado touched down near Dixon Springs and tracked east, parallel and very close to Illinois Route 146. The path was through rural farm country and the Shawnee National Forest. A couple of farm buildings were damaged near the beginning of the track. Where the tornado crossed Route 146, a mobile home was destroyed, injuring one person. On the north side of Golconda, one brick home was destroyed and a couple of nearby homes were damaged. The tornado then crossed the Ohio River into Kentucky. | |||||||||||
| 40.7 | 1972-04-14 | 2 | 37°31'N / 89°03'W | 37°33'N / 88°58'W | 4.90 Miles | 30 Yards | 0 | 5 | 25K | 0 | Johnson |
| 41.4 | 2003-05-06 | 3 | 37°18'N / 88°41'W | 37°23'N / 88°29'W | 13.00 Miles | 600 Yards | 0 | 0 | 2.5M | 0 | Pope |
| Brief Description: The tornado entered Pope County near where Illinois Route 145 crosses the Massac County line. The tornado passed near the communities of Temple Hill, Homberg, and Brownfield. In Pope County, three mobile homes and four permanent homes were destroyed, along with numerous barns and outbuildings. An additional nine single-family homes and two mobile homes received major damage. Dozens of other residences received minor to moderate damage. Some vehicles were rolled or moved. The tornado passed just west and northwest of Golconda before ending about a mile north of town. Just west of Golconda, the roof was blown off the county elementary school's gymnasium. Despite the seven destroyed residences, not one injury was reported. The maximum intensity of the tornado was rated F-3 in Pope County, and F-4 in Massac and Pulaski Counties. The slightly lower intensity of the tornado, combined with the fact it narrowly missed the center of several Pope County communities, may partly explain the lack of injuries. When the tornado ended just north of Golconda, it had been on the ground for 33 miles and an hour and ten minutes. Where the track of the tornado ended near Golconda, the Ohio River and Kentucky state line were less than a mile away. The deadliest and most destructive storm of the night tracked within 10 miles of the Ohio River across extreme southern Illinois. The storm produced a 33-mile long tornado that killed two and injured about 33. A small but very damaging downburst occurred several miles south of the tornado track. A swath of large hail occurred north of the tornado track. Hailstones up to 2 inches in diameter were reported at and near the intersection of Highways 145 and 147, near the community of Glendale in Pope County. | |||||||||||
| 41.6 | 1958-07-11 | 2 | 38°22'N / 88°09'W | 38°31'N / 87°57'W | 14.90 Miles | 50 Yards | 0 | 1 | 25K | 0 | Edwards |
| 41.6 | 1957-12-18 | 5 | 38°05'N / 89°15'W | 38°06'N / 89°09'W | 5.40 Miles | 200 Yards | 1 | 6 | 250K | 0 | Perry |
| 41.8 | 2008-01-29 | 2 | 38°12'N / 87°48'W | 38°13'N / 87°45'W | 3.00 Miles | 100 Yards | 0 | 0 | 50K | 0K | Gibson |
| Brief Description: EVENT NARRATIVE: The tornado entered southern Gibson County from northern Posey County. Damage consisted mostly of downed trees and a few damaged barns and sheds. Peak winds were estimated near 120 mph. The average path width was about 80 yards. EPISODE NARRATIVE: A powerful cold front moved rapidly southeast across southwest Indiana during the late afternoon hours. An organized line of severe thunderstorms developed along the front as it approached southern Illinois, then swept east across southwest Indiana. Widespread damaging winds accompanied the line of storms. Temperatures fell about 30 degrees in less than one hour when the very strong cold front passed through. | |||||||||||
| 41.9 | 2009-03-28 | 3 | 37°38'N / 87°48'W | 37°40'N / 87°46'W | 3.00 Miles | 400 Yards | 0 | 0 | 40K | 0K | Union |
| Brief Description: EVENT NARRATIVE: The second tornado spawned by this supercell was stronger and longer lived. This second tornado formed along Highway 141 and moved northeast along the highway. Damage was spotty at the beginning of the damage path, where a small grain bin imploded. Further along the damage path, a 30-by-50 foot machinery shed was destroyed. The estimated maximum winds were near 140 mph as the tornado approached the Henderson County line. The tornado continued into Henderson County. EPISODE NARRATIVE: A strong low pressure center moved northeast from Oklahoma into south central Missouri by late afternoon, with a warm front extending east from the low across western Kentucky. The warm front served as a focusing mechanism for some of the ingredients needed for tornadogenesis. | |||||||||||
| 42.1 | 1970-03-25 | 2 | 37°43'N / 89°11'W | 0 | 1 | 250K | 0 | Jackson | |||
| 42.3 | 1973-05-07 | 2 | 38°00'N / 89°14'W | 0 | 0 | 0K | 0 | Perry | |||
| 42.3 | 2005-11-06 | 3 | 37°25'N / 88°03'W | 37°28'N / 87°57'W | 6.20 Miles | 150 Yards | 0 | 5 | 300K | 0 | Crittenden |
| Brief Description: The tornado touched down one quarter mile west of Highway 654 and moved rapidly east-northeast. A mobile home on Highway 654 was overturned and destroyed, injuring a 12-year-old boy. A house roof was blown off. Where the tornado crossed Highway 365, a two-story home was completely demolished. The home exterior was mainly vinyl with some brick. Three persons in the house were injured. Two of the injured were treated and released, but a third person was critically injured and transferred to an Evansville hospital. The tornado was estimated to be at its strongest near Highway 365, with peak winds of 160 MPH. A small boat was carried about 400 yards, and several vehicles were moved. After crossing Highway 365, the path was roughly parallel to and less than a mile north of U.S. Highway 60. The tornado crossed Highway 60 and exited into Webster County about a mile northeast of Arflack Hill. Where the tornado crossed U.S. Highway 60, a truck trailer was overturned, and a house roof was damaged. Along the entire length of the path, numerous large trees were snapped or uprooted. The Crittenden/Webster County tornado was one of a pair of strong supercell tornadoes that occurred simultaneously. This tornado, which was the more southern tornado, was shorter-lived and somewhat weaker than its northern counterpart. The northern tornado caused considerably more destruction and loss of life in the Henderson, KY and Evansville, IN areas. | |||||||||||
| 42.4 | 1989-01-07 | 2 | 38°23'N / 87°56'W | 38°24'N / 87°57'W | 2.00 Miles | 100 Yards | 0 | 0 | 2.5M | 0 | Wabash |
| 42.5 | 1958-04-05 | 3 | 37°54'N / 89°20'W | 38°02'N / 89°09'W | 13.50 Miles | 100 Yards | 0 | 5 | 250K | 0 | Jackson |
| 42.5 | 1967-12-11 | 2 | 37°45'N / 87°43'W | 0 | 0 | 0K | 0 | Henderson | |||
| 42.7 | 1999-01-22 | 2 | 37°19'N / 88°31'W | 37°19'N / 88°29'W | 1.50 Miles | 150 Yards | 0 | 0 | 800K | 0 | Pope |
| Brief Description: A tornado with top winds estimated near 125 MPH struck a development of cabins and small summer homes in the Shawnee National Forest, at a place called Ropers Landing. The tornado damaged or destroyed about 30 of these structures and caused extensive tree damage. About six cabins were completely demolished. The homes were unhabited in the middle of winter. Ropers Landing is located at the base of a bluff along the Ohio River. The tornado lifted as it crossed the Ohio River. | |||||||||||
| 42.8 | 1957-12-18 | 3 | 38°30'N / 88°38'W | 38°36'N / 88°27'W | 11.90 Miles | 200 Yards | 0 | 1 | 250K | 0 | Wayne |
| 43.0 | 1958-07-11 | 2 | 38°33'N / 88°26'W | 38°32'N / 88°09'W | 15.30 Miles | 50 Yards | 0 | 0 | 25K | 0 | Wayne |
| 43.1 | 2009-03-28 | 3 | 37°40'N / 87°46'W | 37°47'N / 87°40'W | 9.00 Miles | 400 Yards | 0 | 2 | 500K | 0K | Henderson |
| Brief Description: EVENT NARRATIVE: This tornado crossed into Henderson County from Union County. The tornado was near its maximum intensity of 140 mph near the county line. A Ford Ranger pickup truck was hurled about one quarter mile. Several other vehicles were overturned. Six homes were destroyed, ten received major damage, and sixty homes and buildings received minor damage. Much of the damage occurred in and near Corydon, especially along U.S. Highway 60. The hardest-hit buildings lost most walls and the roof. At least one grain bin was flattened. Hundreds of trees were snapped or uprooted. The average path width was about 300 yards. The tornado was photographed by an emergency management official. Due to the rain-wrapped nature of the tornado and the distance the photo was taken from, the tornado was not easily identifiable in the photo. The photographer was near where the tornado lifted or dissipated, less than a mile from the Henderson County airport. However, the tornado was still some distance away at the time of the photo. EPISODE NARRATIVE: A strong low pressure center moved northeast from Oklahoma into south central Missouri by late afternoon, with a warm front extending east from the low across western Kentucky. The warm front served as a focusing mechanism for some of the ingredients needed for tornadogenesis. | |||||||||||
| 43.4 | 1970-06-01 | 2 | 37°42'N / 89°12'W | 0 | 5 | 25K | 0 | Jackson | |||
| 43.7 | 1960-06-28 | 3 | 37°42'N / 87°47'W | 37°42'N / 87°39'W | 7.10 Miles | 33 Yards | 0 | 0 | 0K | 0 | Henderson |
| 43.8 | 2005-11-06 | 2 | 37°28'N / 87°57'W | 37°29'N / 87°52'W | 5.00 Miles | 150 Yards | 0 | 0 | 75K | 0 | Webster |
| Brief Description: The tornado crossed into Webster County from Crittenden County and moved rapidly east-northeast. The track ended on the north side of the community of Wheatcroft. Most of the damage occurred along and near Highway 109 around Wheatcroft, the only community directly affected by the tornado. West of Wheatcroft, there was slight structural damage, and trees were snapped. A large shed door was blown off, and pillar columns on a house were bent. On the north side of Wheatcroft, a tool shed was destroyed and two campers were overturned. A pickup truck without an engine was rolled about 200 feet. The hood of the truck went through a window. Smaller trees and a house antenna were blown down. The Crittenden/Webster County tornado was one of a pair of strong supercell tornadoes that occurred simultaneously. This tornado, which was the more southern tornado, was shorter-lived and somewhat weaker than its northern counterpart. The northern tornado caused considerably more destruction and loss of life in the Henderson, KY and Evansville, IN areas. | |||||||||||
| 43.9 | 1957-12-18 | 2 | 38°25'N / 89°01'W | 38°26'N / 88°56'W | 4.50 Miles | 33 Yards | 0 | 2 | 25K | 0 | Jefferson |
| 44.2 | 1957-12-18 | 2 | 37°42'N / 89°13'W | 1.50 Miles | 33 Yards | 0 | 5 | 25K | 0 | Jackson | |
| 44.3 | 2005-11-06 | 3 | 37°52'N / 87°42'W | 37°54'N / 87°36'W | 4.20 Miles | 400 Yards | 0 | 0 | 150K | 0 | Vanderburgh |
| Brief Description: This tornado first crossed into Vanderburgh County, Indiana from Henderson County, KY at a peninsula formed by the Ohio River just west of Henderson. This peninsula is Ohio River bottomland primarily used for farming. From the air, scour marks were clearly visible on farmland. There were very few structures impacted in this small part of the county. A two-story house built in 1875 sustained major roof damage. Tree branches were embedded into the house. One farm equipment shed was demolished, and another sustained major damage. A 10,000-pound truck was flipped over. Heavy farm equipment was moved several feet. The tornado crossed the Ohio River back into Henderson County in a sparsely populated flood plain, used mostly for farming. This was the deadliest tornado in Indiana since April 3, 1974. This tornado tracked a total of 41 miles from Henderson County, KY into Spencer County, IN. A total of at least 500 homes and buildings were destroyed or severely damaged. Much of the damage was upper F-2 to lower F-3 intensity. Although the tornado was up to 500 yards wide, the average path width was 275 yards. Of the approximately 230 injuries, 20 were critical, and 63 resulted in hospital admissions. This tornado was the more northern tornado of a pair of strong supercell tornadoes that occurred simultaneously. The southern tornado occurred in Crittenden and Webster Counties of Kentucky. | |||||||||||
| 44.3 | 2002-04-28 | 2 | 37°22'N / 88°54'W | 37°22'N / 88°47'W | 7.00 Miles | 400 Yards | 0 | 2 | 100K | 0 | Johnson |
| Brief Description: This tornado was produced by the same supercell thunderstorm that spawned a long-track tornado over southern Union and southwest Johnson Counties. This tornado touched down along U.S. Highway 45, about 3 miles south of Vienna. The tornado moved east across Interstate 24, and then dissipated about 1.5 miles east of the interstate near Ganntown. Two persons were injured when their mobile home was demolished. Two other mobile homes were extensively damaged. Numerous trees were down. | |||||||||||
| 44.4 | 2003-05-04 | 2 | 37°24'N / 88°01'W | 37°24'N / 88°00'W | 0.20 Mile | 25 Yards | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | Crittenden |
| Brief Description: A mobile home was destroyed, and there was significant damage to a permanent home. The occupant of the mobile home received minor injuries. A barn was destroyed, and numerous trees and power lines were down. Peak winds were estimated near 120 MPH. A severe thunderstorm produced a series of tornadoes across Livingston, Crittenden, and Webster Counties. Both tornadoes in Livingston County originated on the Illinois side of the Ohio River. The strongest tornadoes occurred from Mattoon to Clay, where F2 damage was observed in spots. | |||||||||||
| 45.0 | 2009-03-08 | 2 | 38°33'N / 88°21'W | 38°36'N / 88°16'W | 5.00 Miles | 100 Yards | 0 | 0 | 90K | 0K | Wayne |
| Brief Description: EVENT NARRATIVE: Several structures were damaged. Half of the roof was blown off one house. A well-built storage barn was blown into another house. Debris was blown several hundred yards. Debris from a house impacted a second house 250 yards away. The second house had only minor structural damage. A large metal barn partially caved in when a small grain elevator blew onto it. Peak winds were estimated near 122 mph. The tornado crossed into Clay County. EPISODE NARRATIVE: A strong 500 mb shortwave moved rapidly northeast from the Plains during the day. The shortwave became a closed low over the Great Lakes region by the evening hours. In the lower levels, a strong southwest 850 mb jet from 60 to 65 knots shifted east from the Ozarks across southern Illinois. These features provided sufficient shear and instability for a significant tornado. | |||||||||||
| 45.1 | 1967-12-11 | 2 | 37°20'N / 88°05'W | 37°27'N / 87°55'W | 12.10 Miles | 33 Yards | 0 | 0 | 0K | 0 | Crittenden |
| 45.4 | 1990-06-02 | 4 | 38°34'N / 88°28'W | 38°37'N / 88°24'W | 5.50 Miles | 300 Yards | 0 | 2 | 250K | 0 | Wayne |
| 46.0 | 1967-05-06 | 2 | 37°26'N / 87°53'W | 37°32'N / 87°48'W | 8.20 Miles | 50 Yards | 0 | 2 | 250K | 0 | Webster |
| 46.3 | 2003-05-04 | 2 | 37°29'N / 87°51'W | 37°29'N / 87°49'W | 1.50 Miles | 75 Yards | 0 | 1 | 1.0M | 0 | Webster |
| Brief Description: In Clay, 6 homes and 2 businesses were destroyed. An additional 45 homes and 4 businesses received varying degrees of damage, ranging from minor to major. A woman was injured when a tree fell and landed on her, breaking her hip. Peak winds were estimated near 125 MPH. One of the destroyed businesses was a hardware store. The other business, on the north side of Clay, housed spring planting supplies. That business lost four metal buildings. Numerous trees and power lines were blown down. A severe thunderstorm produced a series of tornadoes across Livingston, Crittenden, and Webster Counties. Both tornadoes in Livingston County originated on the Illinois side of the Ohio River. The strongest tornadoes occurred from Mattoon to Clay, where F2 damage was observed in spots. | |||||||||||
| 46.6 | 1990-06-02 | 4 | 38°23'N / 87°59'W | 38°26'N / 87°43'W | 13.30 Miles | 300 Yards | 0 | 0 | 2.5M | 0 | Wabash |
| 47.1 | 1972-04-21 | 2 | 37°15'N / 88°26'W | 37°16'N / 88°15'W | 10.10 Miles | 100 Yards | 0 | 0 | 25K | 0 | Livingston |
| 47.4 | 1972-04-14 | 2 | 37°32'N / 89°16'W | 37°31'N / 89°03'W | 11.80 Miles | 30 Yards | 0 | 0 | 25K | 0 | Union |
| 47.4 | 1998-04-15 | 2 | 38°25'N / 89°05'W | 38°28'N / 89°01'W | 5.00 Miles | 250 Yards | 0 | 1 | 400K | 0 | Jefferson |
| Brief Description: Six houses sustained major damage in Cravat. One house was moved about 10 feet off of its foundation with the back portion of the house destroyed. One truck and some farm machinery were tossed 50 feet. Several small barns and outbuildings were destroyed. A truck driver sustained broken ribs when his tractor trailer was lifted up by the tornado. The trailer was lifted up into a vertical position before being set back down and rolling over. Several mobile homes were overturned. | |||||||||||
| 48.5 | 1957-12-18 | 4 | 37°42'N / 89°29'W | 37°50'N / 89°10'W | 19.50 Miles | 300 Yards | 11 | 180 | 2.5M | 0 | Jackson |
| 48.7 | 1990-06-02 | 4 | 38°37'N / 88°24'W | 38°39'N / 88°18'W | 5.50 Miles | 300 Yards | 0 | 0 | 250K | 0 | Clay |
| 48.8 | 2005-11-06 | 3 | 37°53'N / 87°35'W | 37°54'N / 87°33'W | 3.10 Miles | 400 Yards | 0 | 8 | 7.0M | 0 | Henderson |
| Brief Description: The tornado that would cause mass casualties in the Evansville, Indiana area crossed the Ohio River a second time. This second crossing was from Vanderburgh County, Indiana into Henderson County. The tornado then crossed the river a third time less than a mile west of the U.S. Highway 41 twin bridges. The river does not form the state line at the third crossing. From the bridges, extensive tree damage was visible along both sides of the Ohio River. Almost immediately after crossing the river, the tornado slammed into a horse racing facility named Ellis Park. There was extensive damage to grandstands and housing facilities for jockeys. A few race horses were killed. This facility was the first major facility to be impacted by the tornado. All of the Henderson County tornado injuries were at Ellis Park. The tornado then crossed back into Vanderburgh County, Indiana after striking Ellis Park. | |||||||||||
| 48.8 | 1957-05-21 | 3 | 37°34'N / 89°19'W | 37°38'N / 89°11'W | 8.50 Miles | 200 Yards | 0 | 0 | 250K | 0 | Union |
| 49.0 | 1957-12-18 | 3 | 38°36'N / 88°27'W | 38°41'N / 88°21'W | 7.70 Miles | 200 Yards | 0 | 0 | 250K | 0 | Clay |
| 49.2 | 1958-07-11 | 2 | 38°31'N / 87°57'W | 38°30'N / 87°54'W | 2.70 Miles | 50 Yards | 0 | 0 | 25K | 0 | Wabash |
| 49.5 | 2003-05-06 | 4 | 37°14'N / 88°56'W | 37°19'N / 88°42'W | 14.00 Miles | 1000 Yards | 1 | 20 | 10.0M | 0 | Massac |
| Brief Description: The tornado was near its maximum F-4 intensity as it crossed the Pulaski County line into western Massac County near the community of Hillerman. Estimated winds of 210 MPH disintegrated mobile homes and levelled several modern frame homes. One frame house was swept clean off its foundation, with only the roof left intact in a creek about 200 yards away. Many vehicles were lifted, rolled, or thrown up to 100 yards or more. Numerous cases of missiling were observed, including glass embedded in trees. Tree destruction in forested areas was nearly complete, and a few trees were debarked. The only fatality in Massac County was a 65-year-old female who was killed when her mobile home disintegrated. The official cause of death was blunt trauma to the head. She was found in a water-filled ravine about 100 yards from the former site of her mobile home. The frame of the mobile home was wrapped around the trunks of two trees that were stripped of all their limbs. Most of the levelled frame homes were concentrated on Boaz Road and Rolling Hills Road, in or near Hillerman. After passing through Hillerman, the tornado overturned dozens of railroad cars of a train just west of the Mermet Lake Conservation Area, which is off U.S. Route 45. The Mermet Lake Conservation Area was extensively damaged. An estimated 300 acres of forest were destroyed, boat docks were destroyed, and bathing facilities were destroyed. Dozens of waterfowl were found dead. After destroying additional residences and high tension power lines, the tornado crossed Interstate 24 near mile marker 28, about a mile south of the New Columbia exit. Tractor-trailer rigs and a tour bus were overturned on the interstate, injuring the drivers. The interstate was closed due to grain bins, tree limbs, and some building debris on the highway. Additional residences were destroyed between the interstate and the Pope County line. The tornado crossed into Pope County near where Illinois Route 145 crosses the county line. In Massac County, a total of 15 single-family houses and 13 mobile homes were destroyed. About 20 other single-family houses and 15 mobile homes received major damage. Several dozen other residences had some type of minor damage. Numerous vehicles and farming implements were destroyed, including combines. About 20 persons were injured in Massac County, but only one or two were hospitalized in serious or critical condition. Most of the injuries involved lacerations, bruises, broken bones, and internal injuries. Near Hillerman, a deputy sheriff escaped unhurt after his patrol car was thrown about 50 yards and struck by a flying tree and telephone pole. F65MH The deadliest and most destructive storm of the night tracked within 10 miles of the Ohio River across extreme southern Illinois. The storm produced a 33-mile long tornado that killed two and injured about 33. A small but very damaging downburst occurred several miles south of the tornado track. A swath of large hail occurred north of the tornado track. Hailstones up to 2 inches in diameter were reported at and near the intersection of Highways 145 and 147, near the community of Glendale in Pope County. | |||||||||||
| 49.6 | 2002-04-28 | 2 | 37°22'N / 89°03'W | 37°22'N / 88°59'W | 3.00 Miles | 400 Yards | 0 | 2 | 3.0M | 0 | Johnson |
| Brief Description: The tornado entered Johnson County near Cypress and was on the ground for only a few miles in Johnson County. Cypress was impacted directly, where about 50 structures were damaged, including a school. The school lost portions of upper story walls and the roof. Two trailers were destroyed. | |||||||||||
| 49.7 | 1998-04-15 | 2 | 38°30'N / 89°02'W | 38°32'N / 88°58'W | 4.00 Miles | 300 Yards | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | Marion |
| Brief Description: The thunderstorm which spawned the tornado from Cravat to Walnut Hill produced another twin/multiple vortex tornado from just northeast of Walnut Hill to the intersection of Interstate 57 and Illinois Route 161. The tornado moved through a heavily wooded area and destroyed several barns/farm implement buildings, one mobile home, and damaged several homes. The tornado narrowed in width, losing its twin characteristics as it approached the intersection of Interstate 57 and State Route 161. Six homes were damaged, one mobile home destroyed, and eleven barn/farm implement buildings were either damaged or completely destroyed. Two tractor trailers were overturned by the tornado near the intersection of I-57/161. | |||||||||||
| 49.7 | 1986-05-15 | 2 | 37°59'N / 87°33'W | 0.20 Mile | 10 Yards | 0 | 0 | 250K | 0 | Vanderburgh | |
| 49.8 | 1979-04-11 | 2 | 37°23'N / 87°51'W | 37°39'N / 87°35'W | 23.40 Miles | 200 Yards | 0 | 0 | 0K | 0 | Webster |
* The information on this page is based on the global volcano database, the U.S. earthquake database of 1638-1985, and the U.S. Tornado and Weather Extremes database of 1950-2010.