Sims, IL Natural Disasters and Weather Extremes
Hot Rankings
The chance of earthquake damage in Sims is higher than Illinois average and is lower than the national average. The risk of tornado damage in Sims is lower than Illinois average and is higher than the national average.
Earthquake Index, #88
| Sims, IL | 1.11 |
| 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
| Sims, 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, #1090
| Sims, IL | 195.56 |
| 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 2,819 other weather extremes events within 50 miles of Sims, 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: | 3 | Cold: | 7 | Dense Fog: | 2 | Drought: | 3 |
| Dust Storm: | 0 | Flood: | 503 | Hail: | 755 | Heat: | 37 | Heavy Snow: | 19 |
| High Surf: | 0 | Hurricane: | 0 | Ice Storm: | 9 | Landslide: | 0 | Strong Wind: | 15 |
| Thunderstorm Winds: | 1,242 | Tropical Storm: | 0 | Wildfire: | 0 | Winter Storm: | 47 | Winter Weather: | 12 |
| Other: | 165 | ||||||||
Volcanos Nearby
No volcano is found in or near Sims, IL.
Historical Earthquake Events
A total of 6 historical earthquake events that had recorded magnitudes of 3.5 or above found in or near Sims, IL.
| Distance (miles) | Date | Magnitude | Depth (km) | Latitude | Longitude |
| 25.0 | 1968-11-09 | 5.3 | N/A | 38 | -88.5 |
| 28.8 | 1974-04-03 | 4.7 | 11 | 38.59 | -88.09 |
| 45.8 | 1984-06-29 | 4.1 | 2 | 37.7 | -88.47 |
| 5.7 | 1978-06-02 | 3.5 | 20 | 38.42 | -88.46 |
| 20.2 | 1978-12-05 | 3.5 | 25 | 38.62 | -88.36 |
| 26.4 | 1985-12-29 | 3.5 | 5 | 38.55 | -88.96 |
Historical Tornado Events
A total of 78 historical tornado events that had recorded magnitude of 2 or above found in or near Sims, IL.
| Distance (miles) | Date | Magnitude | Start Lat/Log | End Lat/Log | Length | Width | Fatalities | Injuries | Property Damage | Crop Damage | Affected County |
| 6.0 | 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 | |||||||||||
| 9.2 | 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 |
| 9.3 | 1989-10-16 | 2 | 38°23'N / 88°22'W | 2.00 Miles | 800 Yards | 0 | 0 | 25K | 0 | Wayne | |
| 9.9 | 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. | |||||||||||
| 10.7 | 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. | |||||||||||
| 12.4 | 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 |
| 12.7 | 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 |
| 12.8 | 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 |
| 13.0 | 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 |
| 14.3 | 1957-12-18 | 3 | 38°12'N / 88°42'W | 2.50 Miles | 150 Yards | 0 | 3 | 250K | 0 | Hamilton | |
| 14.5 | 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 |
| 14.7 | 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 |
| 16.8 | 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 |
| 16.9 | 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 |
| 18.1 | 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 |
| 18.1 | 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 |
| 18.1 | 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. | |||||||||||
| 18.6 | 1990-05-09 | 2 | 38°06'N / 88°37'W | 0.50 Mile | 50 Yards | 0 | 0 | 25K | 0 | Hamilton | |
| 19.2 | 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. | |||||||||||
| 20.2 | 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 |
| 20.7 | 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 |
| 21.3 | 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 |
| 21.8 | 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 |
| 22.0 | 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. | |||||||||||
| 24.2 | 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 |
| 24.2 | 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 |
| 24.5 | 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 |
| 24.6 | 1982-03-30 | 2 | 38°09'N / 88°54'W | 0.80 Mile | 100 Yards | 1 | 3 | 2.5M | 0 | Jefferson | |
| 25.4 | 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 |
| 26.1 | 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 |
| 26.8 | 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 |
| 27.2 | 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 |
| 27.3 | 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. | |||||||||||
| 27.6 | 1996-04-19 | 2 | 38°35'N / 89°03'W | 38°42'N / 88°45'W | 20.00 Miles | 150 Yards | 0 | 7 | 7.0M | 0 | Marion |
| Brief Description: Marion County was declared a Federal Disaster Area as a tornado, reaching F2 strength at its peak, created a 20 mile path of destruction from south of Odin to east of Salem. The bulk of the damage occurred on the south side of the city of Salem. The tornado moved through the county Fairgrounds, destroying numerous buildings and ripping the roofs off others. Two 2-ton trucks were turned 180 degrees by the tornado. Red Cross damage assessment teams determined that 6 mobile homes and 2 homes were destroyed in the Marion area. Another 46 homes and mobile homes were damaged. At least 23 businesses in Marion were damaged, 17 in one shopping center. Power was out to over 4000 residents. Two more homes were destroyed about 5 miles east of Marion. In one of the mobile homes destroyed on the south side of Marion, a mother and her 4 year old son took the ride of their lives. They were on the couch when the tornado struck, and ended up about 100 yards away in the middle of the debris. Both escaped serious injury. Total damage was estimated between 5 and 7 million dollars. There were only 7 injuries, all minor, primarily cuts and bruises. | |||||||||||
| 28.3 | 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. | |||||||||||
| 28.4 | 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. | |||||||||||
| 29.0 | 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 |
| 29.3 | 1998-04-15 | 2 | 38°29'N / 89°03'W | 38°30'N / 89°03'W | 0.50 Mile | 350 Yards | 0 | 0 | 50K | 0 | Marion |
| Brief Description: A tornado which formed in Jefferson County near Cravat moved northeast into Marion County at Walnut Hill. Witnesses who saw the tornado noted a twin structure; two vortices very close to one another. Three homes suffered exterior wall or roof damage while five barns/farm implement buildings were destroyed. Trees were also uprooted. | |||||||||||
| 30.0 | 1957-12-19 | 2 | 38°12'N / 89°03'W | 1.00 Mile | 67 Yards | 0 | 0 | 25K | 0 | Jefferson | |
| 30.3 | 1976-05-30 | 2 | 38°14'N / 88°00'W | 0.30 Mile | 33 Yards | 0 | 0 | 25K | 0 | White | |
| 32.2 | 1953-03-14 | 2 | 38°24'N / 89°28'W | 38°37'N / 88°44'W | 42.30 Miles | 200 Yards | 0 | 0 | 250K | 0 | Washington |
| 32.2 | 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 |
| 34.4 | 1976-03-20 | 2 | 38°29'N / 89°10'W | 38°30'N / 89°08'W | 1.30 Miles | 33 Yards | 0 | 0 | 250K | 0 | Marion |
| 34.5 | 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 |
| 34.6 | 1965-11-26 | 2 | 38°43'N / 88°05'W | 0.50 Mile | 20 Yards | 0 | 5 | 25K | 0 | Richland | |
| 36.5 | 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. | |||||||||||
| 36.8 | 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 |
| 37.2 | 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 |
| 37.6 | 1975-01-10 | 2 | 37°49'N / 88°32'W | 2.00 Miles | 587 Yards | 0 | 0 | 250K | 0 | Saline | |
| 38.3 | 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 |
| 39.0 | 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 |
| 39.7 | 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 |
| 39.8 | 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. | |||||||||||
| 40.6 | 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 |
| 41.0 | 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. | |||||||||||
| 42.5 | 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. | |||||||||||
| 42.7 | 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. | |||||||||||
| 44.1 | 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 |
| 44.1 | 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 |
| 44.5 | 1963-03-16 | 3 | 37°44'N / 88°21'W | 0.30 Mile | 30 Yards | 0 | 0 | 25K | 0 | Gallatin | |
| 44.5 | 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 |
| 45.4 | 1973-05-07 | 2 | 38°00'N / 89°14'W | 0 | 0 | 0K | 0 | Perry | |||
| 45.7 | 1957-12-19 | 2 | 37°42'N / 88°32'W | 0.50 Mile | 100 Yards | 0 | 0 | 25K | 0 | Saline | |
| 46.4 | 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. | |||||||||||
| 46.4 | 1973-06-02 | 2 | 37°46'N / 88°56'W | 0 | 0 | 250K | 0 | Williamson | |||
| 47.0 | 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 |
| 47.2 | 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 |
| 48.0 | 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 |
| 48.1 | 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 |
| 48.2 | 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. | |||||||||||
| 48.2 | 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 |
| 48.2 | 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 |
| 48.3 | 1976-03-20 | 2 | 38°22'N / 89°41'W | 38°29'N / 89°10'W | 29.00 Miles | 33 Yards | 0 | 0 | 250K | 0 | Washington |
| 48.5 | 1991-11-19 | 3 | 37°44'N / 88°56'W | 1.50 Miles | 70 Yards | 0 | 16 | 25.0M | 0 | Williamson | |
| 48.9 | 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 |
| 49.5 | 1999-06-01 | 2 | 38°59'N / 88°56'W | 39°05'N / 88°47'W | 10.00 Miles | 150 Yards | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | Fayette |
| Brief Description: A tornado produced a 10 mile intermittent damage path across Fayette County in the St. Elmo area. The tornado first formed southeast of Brownstown damaging 2 large machine sheds. The tornado crossed Route 170 knocking over a tractor-trailer. About 2 miles southwest of St. Elmo it destroyed several green houses. About 1 mile southwest of St. Elmo a large warehouse was destroyed. Several large steel beams supporting the warehouse were severely twisted. Also in this area, a 300 feet radio tower was destroyed, a mobile home and 3 homes were destroyed. The tornado weakened as it moved northeast of St. Elmo damaging a few outbuildings and downing trees. | |||||||||||
| 49.6 | 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 |
| 49.8 | 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 |
* 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.