Flat Rock, IL Natural Disasters and Weather Extremes
The chance of earthquake damage in Flat Rock is about the same as Illinois average and is lower than the national average. The risk of tornado damage in Flat Rock is lower than Illinois average and is higher than the national average.
Earthquake Index, #250
Flat Rock, IL | 0.42 |
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
Flat Rock, 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, #1188
Flat Rock, IL | 188.26 |
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 3,315 other weather extremes events within 50 miles of Flat Rock, 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: | 4 | Cold: | 8 | Dense Fog: | 2 | Drought: | 5 |
Dust Storm: | 0 | Flood: | 754 | Hail: | 694 | Heat: | 37 | Heavy Snow: | 41 |
High Surf: | 0 | Hurricane: | 0 | Ice Storm: | 14 | Landslide: | 0 | Strong Wind: | 34 |
Thunderstorm Winds: | 1,531 | Tropical Storm: | 0 | Wildfire: | 0 | Winter Storm: | 70 | Winter Weather: | 13 |
Other: | 108 |
Volcanos Nearby
No volcano is found in or near Flat Rock, IL.
Historical Earthquake Events
A total of 3 historical earthquake events that had recorded magnitudes of 3.5 or above found in or near Flat Rock, IL.
Distance (miles) | Date | Magnitude | Depth (km) | Latitude | Longitude |
31.2 | 1974-04-03 | 4.7 | 11 | 38.59 | -88.09 |
39.0 | 1984-07-28 | 4 | 10 | 39.22 | -87.07 |
41.8 | 1978-12-05 | 3.5 | 25 | 38.62 | -88.36 |
Historical Tornado Events
A total of 83 historical tornado events that had recorded magnitude of 2 or above found in or near Flat Rock, IL.
Distance (miles) | Date | Magnitude | Start Lat/Log | End Lat/Log | Length | Width | Fatalities | Injuries | Property Damage | Crop Damage | Affected County |
8.4 | 1990-06-02 | 2 | 38°46'N / 87°40'W | 38°50'N / 87°31'W | 1.00 Mile | 50 Yards | 0 | 1 | 250K | 0 | Lawrence |
10.6 | 1956-04-03 | 2 | 38°44'N / 87°41'W | 38°46'N / 87°38'W | 3.30 Miles | 33 Yards | 0 | 0 | 25K | 0 | Lawrence |
10.7 | 1956-02-25 | 2 | 38°45'N / 87°55'W | 38°48'N / 87°39'W | 14.60 Miles | 450 Yards | 0 | 2 | 2.5M | 0 | Lawrence |
11.3 | 1990-06-02 | 2 | 38°50'N / 87°31'W | 38°52'N / 87°26'W | 4.00 Miles | 50 Yards | 0 | 0 | 25K | 0 | Knox |
11.9 | 1974-04-01 | 3 | 38°43'N / 87°44'W | 38°45'N / 87°41'W | 3.30 Miles | 200 Yards | 0 | 0 | 25K | 0 | Lawrence |
12.8 | 1974-05-30 | 2 | 39°05'N / 87°37'W | 0 | 0 | 3K | 0 | Crawford | |||
16.8 | 1971-05-06 | 2 | 38°38'N / 87°42'W | 38°42'N / 87°30'W | 11.50 Miles | 50 Yards | 0 | 0 | 25K | 0 | Lawrence |
18.0 | 1959-02-10 | 3 | 38°45'N / 87°24'W | 38°48'N / 87°22'W | 3.30 Miles | 100 Yards | 0 | 0 | 25K | 0 | Knox |
18.8 | 1957-12-18 | 3 | 38°56'N / 88°03'W | 38°59'N / 87°59'W | 4.50 Miles | 33 Yards | 0 | 0 | 25K | 0 | Jasper |
20.1 | 1957-05-21 | 2 | 38°42'N / 87°59'W | 38°43'N / 87°55'W | 3.60 Miles | 150 Yards | 0 | 0 | 25K | 0 | Richland |
20.8 | 1963-04-19 | 2 | 38°37'N / 87°38'W | 38°37'N / 87°29'W | 7.90 Miles | 250 Yards | 0 | 12 | 2.5M | 0 | Knox |
20.8 | 1956-02-25 | 2 | 38°44'N / 88°05'W | 38°45'N / 87°55'W | 8.80 Miles | 450 Yards | 0 | 0 | 2.5M | 0 | Richland |
21.1 | 1956-02-25 | 2 | 38°46'N / 87°23'W | 38°47'N / 87°15'W | 7.20 Miles | 900 Yards | 0 | 1 | 25K | 0 | Knox |
21.6 | 1963-04-19 | 2 | 38°34'N / 87°40'W | 38°37'N / 87°38'W | 3.30 Miles | 250 Yards | 0 | 10 | 250K | 0 | Lawrence |
21.7 | 1989-01-07 | 4 | 38°35'N / 87°42'W | 38°37'N / 87°26'W | 12.00 Miles | 100 Yards | 0 | 5 | 250K | 0 | Knox |
22.9 | 1971-05-06 | 2 | 38°42'N / 87°30'W | 38°38'N / 87°15'W | 14.10 Miles | 50 Yards | 0 | 1 | 250K | 0 | Knox |
23.5 | 1957-06-11 | 2 | 39°06'N / 87°19'W | 0.20 Mile | 70 Yards | 0 | 0 | 25K | 0 | Sullivan | |
23.9 | 1963-04-19 | 2 | 38°33'N / 87°44'W | 38°34'N / 87°40'W | 3.60 Miles | 250 Yards | 0 | 0 | 250K | 0 | Wabash |
25.1 | 1962-04-30 | 2 | 38°52'N / 87°27'W | 38°40'N / 87°02'W | 26.20 Miles | 33 Yards | 0 | 0 | 250K | 0 | Knox |
25.6 | 1965-11-26 | 2 | 38°43'N / 88°05'W | 0.50 Mile | 20 Yards | 0 | 5 | 25K | 0 | Richland | |
25.6 | 1963-04-29 | 3 | 39°02'N / 87°28'W | 39°07'N / 87°02'W | 23.90 Miles | 50 Yards | 0 | 0 | 250K | 0 | Sullivan |
25.8 | 1989-01-07 | 4 | 38°29'N / 87°47'W | 38°35'N / 87°42'W | 7.00 Miles | 200 Yards | 0 | 50 | 25.0M | 0 | Wabash |
26.0 | 1990-06-02 | 4 | 38°57'N / 88°16'W | 39°03'N / 88°01'W | 12.50 Miles | 200 Yards | 0 | 6 | 250K | 0 | Jasper |
27.1 | 2002-09-20 | 2 | 38°33'N / 87°26'W | 38°40'N / 87°15'W | 11.50 Miles | 150 Yards | 0 | 2 | 1.0M | 20K | Knox |
Brief Description: A tornado formed along a squall line in Pike county then moved across Knox and into Daviess counties. A few homes were destroyed in Knox county and several were damaged. A conservation officer in his vehicle was thrown an eighth of a mile by the tornado. | |||||||||||
27.8 | 2002-09-20 | 2 | 38°40'N / 87°14'W | 38°43'N / 87°14'W | 1.10 Miles | 150 Yards | 0 | 0 | 25K | 10K | Daviess |
Brief Description: A tornado formed along a squall line in Pike county then moved across Knox and into Daviess counties. A few homes were destroyed in Knox county and several were damaged. A conservation officer in his vehicle was thrown an eighth of a mile by the tornado. | |||||||||||
28.0 | 1967-12-11 | 2 | 38°31'N / 87°31'W | 0 | 0 | 25K | 0 | Knox | |||
28.1 | 1969-09-05 | 2 | 39°14'N / 87°22'W | 0 | 0 | 25K | 0 | Sullivan | |||
30.2 | 1956-02-25 | 2 | 38°47'N / 87°15'W | 38°50'N / 87°00'W | 13.80 Miles | 900 Yards | 0 | 0 | 25K | 0 | Daviess |
30.5 | 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 |
31.5 | 1990-06-02 | 4 | 38°27'N / 87°35'W | 38°29'N / 87°26'W | 7.50 Miles | 200 Yards | 0 | 1 | 2.5M | 0 | Gibson |
31.8 | 1990-06-02 | 4 | 38°39'N / 88°18'W | 38°43'N / 88°05'W | 12.00 Miles | 300 Yards | 0 | 0 | 250K | 0 | Richland |
31.8 | 1986-05-15 | 2 | 38°40'N / 87°10'W | 0.20 Mile | 10 Yards | 0 | 0 | 25K | 0 | Daviess | |
31.9 | 1990-06-02 | 4 | 38°26'N / 87°43'W | 38°27'N / 87°35'W | 8.00 Miles | 200 Yards | 0 | 0 | 2.5M | 0 | Knox |
32.3 | 1990-06-02 | 4 | 38°28'N / 87°29'W | 38°28'N / 87°26'W | 2.00 Miles | 200 Yards | 0 | 0 | 25.0M | 0 | Gibson |
32.6 | 1990-06-02 | 4 | 38°29'N / 87°26'W | 38°31'N / 87°17'W | 9.00 Miles | 200 Yards | 0 | 0 | 2.5M | 0 | Pike |
34.6 | 1990-06-02 | 4 | 38°31'N / 87°17'W | 38°31'N / 87°15'W | 3.00 Miles | 200 Yards | 0 | 0 | 2.5M | 0 | Knox |
34.6 | 1990-06-02 | 4 | 38°28'N / 87°26'W | 38°29'N / 87°15'W | 11.00 Miles | 200 Yards | 6 | 60 | 25.0M | 0 | Pike |
35.5 | 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 |
35.9 | 1990-06-02 | 4 | 38°31'N / 87°15'W | 38°32'N / 87°11'W | 4.40 Miles | 200 Yards | 0 | 0 | 2.5M | 0 | Pike |
36.6 | 1998-04-15 | 2 | 38°43'N / 88°23'W | 38°45'N / 88°15'W | 6.50 Miles | 150 Yards | 0 | 0 | 100K | 0 | Clay |
Brief Description: A severe thunderstorm, which originated in eastern Missouri, travelled to the east across southern Illinois. It produced numerous tornadoes. When it moved into our county warning area, it produced two tornadoes over Clay County. The first tornado touched down 3 miles west southwest of Flora. As it travelled to the northeast it destroyed a set of crossing signals along a set of railroad tracks. It moved parallel to the tracks and on the west edge of Flora it blew 60 to 70 cars of a moving CSX freight train off the tracks. No injuries were reported with the train crew or anyone nearby. At this point the tornado was F2 intensity. Most of the tornado track through Flora stayed south of the railroad tracks. In this area most of the structural damage to frame houses was relatively minor with roof/siding damage the most common. A few homes totally lost roofs, garages/storage sheds were destroyed, and one unanchored mobile home was destroyed and landed about 100 feet from its foundation. Three occupants sustained minor injuries. Several vehicles in the area were damaged from falling trees and debris. The tornado briefly lifted and came down again on the east side of town. It damaged or destroyed 40 to 50 condominiums, which was due more to a result of poor construction techniques rather than wind speed. Roof structures did not survive, with the rafters only consisting of 2x4s. The tornado was rated F1 in this area. After hitting the condominium complex, the tornado caused light damage to an industrial park with power poles down and 10 businesses sustaining damage. From there the damage was light, mainly to trees. Two miles northwest of Clay City, the tornado overturned a mobile home before lifting. At about the same time, half a mile to the north of the first tornado, another tornado formed and touched down. It destroyed a mobile home (F2 intensity) and then travelled to the northeast causing spotty damage, mainly to trees. It destroyed a shed 5 miles north of Olney (Richland County) before lifting and dissipating. In total 8 people sustained minor injuries. Damage in Clay County was estimated around $2.2 million and no damage estimate was available for Richland County. | |||||||||||
36.7 | 2006-04-16 | 2 | 39°02'N / 88°21'W | 39°03'N / 88°19'W | 1.50 Miles | 150 Yards | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | Jasper |
Brief Description: A tornado formed just north of 700th Avenue in Effingham County, on the Effingham/Jasper County line. It produced minor tree and barn damage to a farm at this location, and tracked to the northeast. The tornado struck a mobile home just inside the Jasper County line, and completely destroyed the home. The debris was blown several hundred yards into a field, with the home's refrigerator blown 1/4 mile into a field. The debris from the mobile home struck an adjacent automobile, and crushed the roof. The car was also pushed about 15 feet in the direction of impact. The tornado continued northeast, causing significant tree damage, and minor damage to a few homes and outbuildings. | |||||||||||
36.8 | 2005-11-15 | 3 | 38°41'N / 87°08'W | 38°47'N / 86°55'W | 10.00 Miles | 440 Yards | 0 | 31 | 11.6M | 0 | Daviess |
Brief Description: An F3 tornado touched down near Washington, Indiana on the afternoon of 15 November 2005, and proceeded northeast for 12 miles, lifting at Crane Naval Base in Martin County. The tornado was up to 1/4 mile wide at times. The worst damage occurred 4 miles northeast of Montgomery. K&K Industries sits at that site. Abe Knepp, the owner, is also a chaplain for Daviess County Emergency Management, and was monitoring law enforcement radio traffic while at work. His decision to send his 120 employees home early likely saved several lives, as the plant was destroyed by the tornado 30 minutes after it was cleared. 123 homes and 20 businesses sustained damage in Daviess County. Despite the amount of damage, only one of the 31 reported injuries was considered serious. An area of severe thunderstorms moved through central Indiana on the afternoon and evening of 15 November 2005, fueled by abnormally warm conditions which had been the rule across the region for the first half of the month. One strongly rotating supercell produced three tornadoes, two of them rated strong F3, over southern portions of central Indiana. Additional severe weather occurred with other supercells and squall line storms across central Indiana. Thanks to early warnings and heightened awareness of the severe weather threat, no one was killed by the tornadoes, and only one serious injury was reported. | |||||||||||
37.5 | 1961-03-06 | 3 | 39°06'N / 88°32'W | 38°59'N / 88°10'W | 21.20 Miles | 33 Yards | 0 | 3 | 250K | 0 | Effingham |
37.8 | 1990-06-02 | 2 | 39°03'N / 87°07'W | 39°07'N / 86°54'W | 10.00 Miles | 50 Yards | 0 | 0 | 2.5M | 0 | Greene |
37.8 | 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 |
37.9 | 1974-08-10 | 3 | 39°06'N / 88°20'W | 0 | 0 | 25K | 0 | Jasper | |||
38.1 | 1969-08-09 | 2 | 38°40'N / 87°02'W | 0 | 0 | 25K | 0 | Daviess | |||
38.2 | 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 |
39.9 | 2006-04-16 | 2 | 39°01'N / 88°26'W | 39°02'N / 88°22'W | 4.00 Miles | 200 Yards | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | Effingham |
Brief Description: A tornado touched down in a wooded area just southwest of the intersection of 700th Avenue and 2000th Street. It tracked east-northeast, and struck a farmstead on 2000th St., destroying a barn, 4 outbuildings and several grain bins. The tornado struck a homestead about 1 mile to the east of the farm, snapping off dozens of trees and causing minor roof damage to a well-built home. About a mile to the east of the home, the tornado struck two homesteads. Considerable tree damage was noted at this location, 3 outbuildings were destroyed, and an attached garage was destroyed when the overhead door failed and the side wall was blown out. Further east, on 2300th St. and about 1 mile north of 700th Ave, a well-built home had an attached garage destroyed, the front porch roof torn off, and two second story dormers torn off. A final farmstead was damaged near 800th Ave. North and the Effingham/Jasper County line. Two outbuildings on the farm were completely destroyed, and a small combine in one of the buildings was flipped into an adjacent pond. An antenna tower was blown over next to the house and the home sustained siding, roofing and window damage. | |||||||||||
40.1 | 1999-05-05 | 2 | 38°24'N / 87°17'W | 38°26'N / 87°15'W | 3.00 Miles | 200 Yards | 0 | 0 | 100K | 0 | Pike |
Brief Description: The tornado destroyed a mobile home and damaged about a dozen houses. Top winds were estimated near 130 MPH. There was extensive tree damage. | |||||||||||
40.9 | 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 |
40.9 | 1994-04-26 | 2 | 38°55'N / 88°29'W | 38°59'N / 88°23'W | 6.00 Miles | 50 Yards | 0 | 3 | 500K | 0 | Effingham |
Brief Description: A tornado touched down 2 miles southwest of Eberle and destroyed a two-car garage. Several trees were also downed near this site. The tornado moved east-northeast and struck a two-story home just west of Eberle, partially placing the home on its side. This is where F2 damage occurred. Two children received minor injuries while the father was significantly injured after his neck was punctured by a two inch piece of glass. A small shed and siding from a barn was damaged as the tornado continued just north of Eberle. Several farm buildings and grain bins were damaged before the tornado lifted 4 miles northeast of Eberle. | |||||||||||
41.0 | 1990-06-02 | 3 | 38°39'N / 87°03'W | 38°41'N / 86°54'W | 6.50 Miles | 200 Yards | 0 | 0 | 250K | 0 | Daviess |
41.0 | 1998-04-15 | 2 | 38°29'N / 87°09'W | 38°30'N / 87°06'W | 4.00 Miles | 50 Yards | 0 | 0 | 500K | 0 | Pike |
Brief Description: The tornado destroyed two large barns and five or six smaller outbuildings. Significant damage occurred to two farm houses. Several trees and power poles were snapped off. Some two-by-fours and a large saw blade were embedded in homes. | |||||||||||
41.0 | 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. | |||||||||||
41.2 | 1967-10-24 | 2 | 39°28'N / 87°25'W | 0 | 0 | 3K | 0 | Vigo | |||
41.5 | 1990-06-02 | 4 | 38°32'N / 87°11'W | 38°34'N / 86°55'W | 13.50 Miles | 200 Yards | 0 | 6 | 2.5M | 0 | Daviess |
41.6 | 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 |
42.9 | 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 |
43.1 | 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 |
43.6 | 1999-05-05 | 2 | 38°21'N / 87°16'W | 38°22'N / 87°16'W | 1.30 Miles | 150 Yards | 0 | 0 | 15K | 0 | Pike |
Brief Description: A tornado with estimated top winds of 130 MPH produced a damage path about a mile long. Since the track was through rural areas, the only structural damage was to a garage. Many trees were down. | |||||||||||
43.6 | 2006-05-25 | 2 | 38°28'N / 87°07'W | 38°27'N / 87°05'W | 2.20 Miles | 200 Yards | 0 | 0 | 1.0M | 0 | Pike |
Brief Description: About five homes were destroyed. Roughly 15 other homes received major damage, primarily to roofs. Some roofs were removed. Two businesses sustained major roof damage. One mobile home was overturned and blown into a neighboring mobile home, causing extensive damage to it. Individuals were trapped in one home, but no injuries were reported. One travel trailer and one tractor trailer were overturned. Numerous trees and power lines were downed, blocking roads into the community. The damage path began just west of the intersection of Highway 356 and County Road 900E. The damage path extended east-southeast, ending just northwest of County Road 250N where it intersects the Dubois County line. Peak winds were estimated near 120 MPH. | |||||||||||
43.7 | 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 |
43.8 | 1971-05-06 | 2 | 38°38'N / 87°15'W | 38°29'N / 86°44'W | 29.70 Miles | 50 Yards | 0 | 0 | 250K | 0 | Daviess |
44.3 | 1990-06-02 | 3 | 38°41'N / 86°54'W | 38°41'N / 86°54'W | 0.50 Mile | 200 Yards | 0 | 0 | 250K | 0 | Martin |
44.4 | 1960-04-17 | 2 | 38°55'N / 88°40'W | 39°05'N / 88°19'W | 21.90 Miles | 200 Yards | 0 | 0 | 25K | 0 | Effingham |
44.7 | 1977-08-21 | 3 | 39°21'N / 88°28'W | 39°15'N / 88°12'W | 15.70 Miles | 77 Yards | 0 | 0 | 25K | 0 | Cumberland |
45.0 | 1996-04-19 | 2 | 38°20'N / 87°15'W | 38°21'N / 87°15'W | 0.80 Mile | 100 Yards | 0 | 0 | 200K | 0 | Pike |
Brief Description: Numerous trees were uprooted or snapped off. The roof was lifted off one house, which was destroyed. Ten other houses received minor to moderate wind damage. Between 10 and 15 barns and small sheds were demolished. | |||||||||||
45.1 | 1998-04-15 | 2 | 38°39'N / 88°32'W | 38°42'N / 88°23'W | 9.50 Miles | 150 Yards | 0 | 8 | 2.1M | 0 | Clay |
Brief Description: A severe thunderstorm, which originated in eastern Missouri, travelled to the east across southern Illinois. It produced numerous tornadoes. When it moved into our county warning area, it produced two tornadoes over Clay County. The first tornado touched down 3 miles west southwest of Flora. As it travelled to the northeast it destroyed a set of crossing signals along a set of railroad tracks. It moved parallel to the tracks and on the west edge of Flora it blew 60 to 70 cars of a moving CSX freight train off the tracks. No injuries were reported with the train crew or anyone nearby. At this point the tornado was F2 intensity. Most of the tornado track through Flora stayed south of the railroad tracks. In this area most of the structural damage to frame houses was relatively minor with roof/siding damage the most common. A few homes totally lost roofs, garages/storage sheds were destroyed, and one unanchored mobile home was destroyed and landed about 100 feet from its foundation. Three occupants sustained minor injuries. Several vehicles in the area were damaged from falling trees and debris. The tornado briefly lifted and came down again on the east side of town. It damaged or destroyed 40 to 50 condominiums, which was due more to a result of poor construction techniques rather than wind speed. Roof structures did not survive, with the rafters only consisting of 2x4s. The tornado was rated F1 in this area. After hitting the condominium complex, the tornado caused light damage to an industrial park with power poles down and 10 businesses sustaining damage. From there the damage was light, mainly to trees. Two miles northwest of Clay City, the tornado overturned a mobile home before lifting. At about the same time, half a mile to the north of the first tornado, another tornado formed and touched down. It destroyed a mobile home (F2 intensity) and then travelled to the northeast causing spotty damage, mainly to trees. It destroyed a shed 5 miles north of Olney (Richland County) before lifting and dissipating. In total 8 people sustained minor injuries. Damage in Clay County was estimated around $2.2 million and no damage estimate was available for Richland County. | |||||||||||
45.3 | 1986-05-15 | 2 | 39°32'N / 87°42'W | 39°35'N / 87°34'W | 5.00 Miles | 33 Yards | 0 | 0 | 0K | 0 | Edgar |
45.3 | 1989-04-03 | 3 | 38°15'N / 87°38'W | 38°15'N / 87°34'W | 3.10 Miles | 100 Yards | 0 | 8 | 25.0M | 0 | Gibson |
45.4 | 1958-05-03 | 2 | 39°33'N / 87°39'W | 39°34'N / 87°32'W | 5.90 Miles | 33 Yards | 0 | 0 | 0K | 0 | Edgar |
45.8 | 1958-07-11 | 3 | 39°29'N / 88°05'W | 39°27'N / 88°10'W | 4.70 Miles | 30 Yards | 0 | 3 | 25K | 0 | Coles |
46.2 | 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 |
46.7 | 1984-05-25 | 2 | 39°33'N / 87°56'W | 0.10 Mile | 3 Yards | 0 | 0 | 250K | 0 | Edgar | |
46.8 | 1960-06-22 | 3 | 39°32'N / 87°21'W | 0 | 0 | 250K | 0 | Vigo | |||
47.7 | 1958-05-03 | 2 | 39°34'N / 87°32'W | 39°36'N / 87°30'W | 1.90 Miles | 200 Yards | 0 | 0 | 25K | 0 | Vigo |
48.3 | 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. | |||||||||||
48.4 | 1967-10-24 | 2 | 39°35'N / 87°27'W | 0 | 1 | 3K | 0 | Vigo | |||
48.5 | 1973-05-27 | 2 | 39°12'N / 87°18'W | 39°39'N / 86°50'W | 39.80 Miles | 50 Yards | 0 | 0 | 250K | 0 | Sullivan |
49.3 | 2009-05-14 | 2 | 38°12'N / 87°34'W | 38°13'N / 87°22'W | 10.00 Miles | 125 Yards | 0 | 0 | 300K | 0K | Gibson |
Brief Description: EVENT NARRATIVE: Maximum winds were estimated near 120 mph at the beginning of the damage path. The most significant damage occurred on a farm on the north side of the Haubstadt Raceway. A 50-foot grain bin was moved off its foundation and destroyed, several large machinery buildings sustained partial losses of roofs and walls, and a race car frame on blocks was moved about 100 feet. Damage intensity decreased eastward along the path. Elsewhere along the path, a barn lost its roof, and several homes received roof damage. EPISODE NARRATIVE: A line of severe thunderstorms moved slowly southeast through the early morning hours. These storms moved through a very moist and unstable atmosphere. A small-scale bow echo produced a significant tornado. | |||||||||||
49.5 | 1976-05-30 | 2 | 38°14'N / 88°00'W | 0.30 Mile | 33 Yards | 0 | 0 | 25K | 0 | White | |
49.9 | 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. |
* 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.