Tornadoes and Hail in Illinois, April 15, 1994

Name: Tornadoes and Hail in Illinois, April 15, 1994
Start: 1994-04-15T00:29
End: 1994-04-15T22:40
Location: Illinois

April 15, 1994 · 59 events in 38 counties and zones

50 thunderstorm wind, 7 hail, 2 tornado, as filed by the National Weather Service.

Where it happened

Every event with a place to put it; 57 filed by county or forecast zone are drawn at its center, in a lighter ring. Tap one for its entry below.

Tornadoes
Tropical storms and surge
Floods
Wind
Hail
Winter weather
Heat and drought
Cold
Fire, smoke and dust
Marine and coastal
Other

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The toll

Deaths: 0
Injuries: 3
Property damage: $3.9 million
Crop damage: None recorded
Events: 59

Deaths and injuries are direct and indirect together, as the offices filed them. Damage is property and crops in the dollars of the year, not adjusted for inflation, and only where an office estimated it.

Event by event

50 thunderstorm wind, 7 hail, 2 tornado. Local standard time, as filed.

Hail, Rock Island

When: April 15, 12:29 AM CST
Where: Rock Island County, Rock Island
Measured: 0.75 in hail
Coordinates: 41.467, -90.567 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

On the evening of the 14th, and the early morning hours of the 15th, numerous thunderstorms moved across the Mississippi River bringing with them isolated wind and hail storms. Reports were received of 50 and 60 mph winds and three-quarter inch to one inch hail, but damage was minor. At 0145 CST lightning struck a tree in Reynolds, Illinois, followed by wind damage to metal shed. Shortly before 0200 CST, Port Byron, Illinois reported three-quarter inch to one inch hail.

Thunderstorm Wind, Rock Island

When: April 15, 1:30 AM CST
Where: Rock Island County, Reynolds
Property damage: $5,000
Coordinates: 41.467, -90.567 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Hail, Rock Island

When: April 15, 1:55 AM CST
Where: Rock Island County, Port Byron
Measured: 1 in hail
Coordinates: 41.467, -90.567 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Thunderstorm Wind, Bureau

When: April 15, 3:08 AM CST
Where: Bureau County, La Moille
Property damage: $5,000
Coordinates: 41.404, -89.529 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

A roof was blown off a farm shed and a wall of a garage was removed by winds.

Thunderstorm Wind, Menard

When: April 15, 3:15 AM CST
Where: Menard County, Atterberry
Coordinates: 40.027, -89.802 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Thunderstorm winds blew down several trees one mile south of Atterberry.

Thunderstorm Wind, Logan

When: April 15, 3:30 AM CST
Where: Logan County, Middletown
Coordinates: 40.125, -89.367 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Thunderstorm winds damaged two barns, a grain bin, and a chimney on one house. Four trees were uprooted and numerous tree limbs were blown down.

Thunderstorm Wind, Sangamon

When: April 15, 3:34 AM CST
Where: Sangamon County, Riverton
Coordinates: 39.758, -89.659 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Thunderstorm winds blew the roof off of one mobile home and some siding and skirting off of another one.

Thunderstorm Wind, McLean

When: April 15, 4:00 AM CST
Where: McLean County, Gridley
Property damage: $5,000
Coordinates: 40.491, -88.847 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Poles were snapped off of a barn and a roof was blown off.

Thunderstorm Wind, Monroe

When: April 15, 4:10 AM CST
Where: Monroe County, Fults
Property damage: $500,000
Coordinates: 38.279, -90.177 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Seven freight train cars were blown over and off of their tracks between Fults and Valmeyer.

Tornado, Monroe

When: April 15, 4:15 AM CST to 4:25 AM CST
Where: Monroe County, Waterloo to 1 Ne Wate
Rating: F0
Path length: 2.5 mi
Path width: 40 yd
Property damage: $500,000
Coordinates: 38.350, -90.170

A small tornado touched down in the northwest corner of Waterloo damaging a four-story brick grain elevator. Damage was generally confined to the building's roof (along the eastern side). As the tornado moved east-northeast through a residential area, damage was limited to large trees. A large cluster of trees were snapped off near the town high school in a rotational pattern. A house lost part of its roof northeast of Waterloo just before the tornado dissipated.

Hail, St. Clair

When: April 15, 4:26 AM CST
Where: St. Clair County, Dupo
Measured: 0.75 in hail
Coordinates: 38.470, -89.928 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Dime-size hail was reported along with wind gusts to 40 mph in Dupo. Trees were also blown down in Floraville damaging several homes while one-inch hail was reported in Millstadt.

Hail, St. Clair

When: April 15, 4:30 AM CST
Where: St. Clair County, Millstadt
Measured: 1 in hail
Property damage: $500
Coordinates: 38.470, -89.928 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Dime-size hail was reported along with wind gusts to 40 mph in Dupo. Trees were also blown down in Floraville damaging several homes while one-inch hail was reported in Millstadt.

Thunderstorm Wind, St. Clair

When: April 15, 4:30 AM CST
Where: St. Clair County, Floraville
Property damage: $50,000
Coordinates: 38.470, -89.928 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Dime-size hail was reported along with wind gusts to 40 mph in Dupo. Trees were also blown down in Floraville damaging several homes while one-inch hail was reported in Millstadt.

Thunderstorm Wind, Monroe

When: April 15, 4:30 AM CST
Where: Monroe County, Hecker
Property damage: $5,000
Coordinates: 38.279, -90.177 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

The county sheriff reported numerous downed trees and a damaged grain bin.

Thunderstorm Wind, Madison

When: April 15, 4:35 AM CST
Where: Madison County, Highland
Property damage: $50,000
Coordinates: 38.830, -89.905 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

A billboard sign built to withstand wind gusts to 60 mph was blown over. Numerous trees in the area were also knocked down.

Thunderstorm Wind, Bond

When: April 15, 4:40 AM CST
Where: Bond County, Pocahontas
Property damage: $500
Coordinates: 38.887, -89.436 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Several large trees were blown across southern parts of the county, reported the county sheriff.

Thunderstorm Wind, St. Clair

When: April 15, 4:40 AM CST
Where: St. Clair County, New Athens
Property damage: $50,000
Coordinates: 38.470, -89.928 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Power lines and poles were blown down just east of Freeburg. The county sheriff also reported several large trees down in New Athens which damaged parked cars.

Thunderstorm Wind, St. Clair

When: April 15, 4:40 AM CST
Where: St. Clair County, Freeburg
Property damage: $5,000
Coordinates: 38.470, -89.928 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Power lines and poles were blown down just east of Freeburg. The county sheriff also reported several large trees down in New Athens which damaged parked cars.

Thunderstorm Wind, Randolph

When: April 15, 4:40 AM CST
Where: Randolph County, Baldwin
Property damage: $50,000
Coordinates: 38.052, -89.825 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

County officials reported a garage blown down along Highway 154 in Baldwin. A mobile home was heavily damaged in Sparta and several mobile home roofs were damaged in Coulterville. The county sheriff also reported trees and power lines down through out the county.

Hail, St. Clair

When: April 15, 4:50 AM CST
Where: St. Clair County, Scott A.F.B.
Measured: 0.75 in hail
Coordinates: 38.470, -89.928 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Hail 0.75 inch in diameter was reported at Scott Air Force Base.

Thunderstorm Wind, Randolph

When: April 15, 4:50 AM CST
Where: Randolph County, Coulterville
Property damage: $500
Coordinates: 38.052, -89.825 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Thunderstorm Wind, Randolph

When: April 15, 4:50 AM CST
Where: Randolph County, Sparta
Property damage: $50,000
Coordinates: 38.052, -89.825 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Thunderstorm Wind, Washington

When: April 15, 5:00 AM CST
Where: Washington County, Oakdale and to Lively Grove
Property damage: $500,000
Coordinates: 38.352, -89.410 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Several homes sustained damage from high winds, and trees were blown down in the area. The county sheriff reported one two-story home near Lively Grove completely lost its roof.

Thunderstorm Wind, Clinton

When: April 15, 5:05 AM CST
Where: Clinton County, Germantown
Property damage: $500
Coordinates: 38.607, -89.422 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Numerous large trees were blown down.

Thunderstorm Wind, Clinton

When: April 15, 5:15 AM CST
Where: Clinton County, Hoffman
Property damage: $500
Coordinates: 38.607, -89.422 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Several large trees were blown down or damaged.

Thunderstorm Wind, Washington

When: April 15, 5:15 AM CST
Where: Washington County, Nashville
Property damage: $50,000
Coordinates: 38.352, -89.410 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Several homes and barns were damaged three to nine miles south of Nashville with power lines and trees also blown down.

Thunderstorm Wind, Marion

When: April 15, 5:20 AM CST
Where: Marion County, Centralia
Property damage: $50,000
Coordinates: 38.650, -88.919 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Trees and power lines were blown down damaging several parked cars.

Thunderstorm Wind, Fayette

When: April 15, 5:20 AM CST
Where: Fayette County, St Peter
Property damage: $50,000
Coordinates: 39.000, -89.024 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Trees and power lines were blown down north of Brownstown while a barn and garage were heavily damaged in St. Peter.

Thunderstorm Wind, Fayette

When: April 15, 5:20 AM CST
Where: Fayette County, Brownstown
Property damage: $5,000
Coordinates: 39.000, -89.024 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Trees and power lines were blown down north of Brownstown while a barn and garage were heavily damaged in St. Peter.

Thunderstorm Wind, Perry

When: April 15, 5:20 AM CST
Where: Perry County, Tamaroa
Property damage: $50,000
Coordinates: 38.084, -89.367 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

The county sheriff reported structural damage to several house roofs.

Tornado, Fayette

When: April 15, 5:22 AM CST to 5:28 AM CST
Where: Fayette County, Loogootee to to Loogootee
Rating: F1
Path length: 2.5 mi
Path width: 60 yd
Property damage: $500,000
Coordinates: 38.900, -88.850

A small tornado formed just west of Loogootee and moved east through the southern part of town. The roofs of two relatively new mobile homes were completely uplifted and tossed several hundred yards downwind. A resident stated that several 6 x 6's anchored in cement were snapped off or pulled up. The nearby homes also experienced minor roof damage and broken windows. A large 20-foot grain bin was tossed several hundred yards downwind. Before the tornado lifted, several farm houses and barns east of town were heavily damaged.

Thunderstorm Wind, Effingham

When: April 15, 5:30 AM CST
Where: Effingham County, Effingham
Property damage: $50,000
Coordinates: 39.060, -88.590 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Two tractor-semitrailers were blown over in Effingham while numerous trees and power lines were reportedly down across the county. The county sheriff also reported partial roof damage to two homes three miles south of Effingham.

Thunderstorm Wind, Jackson

When: April 15, 5:45 AM CST
Where: Jackson County, Carbondale
Coordinates: 37.785, -89.382 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Several trees were blown down on Route 13 east of Carbondale.

Thunderstorm Wind, Marion

When: April 15, 5:45 AM CST
Where: Marion County, Kell
Property damage: $50,000
Coordinates: 38.650, -88.919 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Numerous large trees were blown down from Kell extending eastward to the county line. One tree fell on a garage in Kell heavily damaging it.

Thunderstorm Wind, Union

When: April 15, 5:48 AM CST
Where: Union County, Cobden to Anna
Coordinates: 37.471, -89.255 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Several trees were blown down on old Route 51. A home suffered roof damage.

Thunderstorm Wind, Jasper

When: April 15, 5:50 AM CST
Where: Jasper County, Newton
Property damage: $500,000
Coordinates: 39.010, -88.154 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Trees and power lines were blown down in Newton. There were several reports of roof damage.

Thunderstorm Wind, Jefferson

When: April 15, 5:50 AM CST
Where: Jefferson County, Mount Vernon
Property damage: $5,000
Coordinates: 38.301, -88.924 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Large trees and power lines were blown down across various areas of the county. A school roof was damaged and windows blown out at Woodlawn.

Thunderstorm Wind, Franklin

When: April 15, 5:52 AM CST
Where: Franklin County, Whittington
Injuries: 1 direct, 0 indirect
Property damage: $50,000
Coordinates: 37.992, -88.924 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Camper trailers were overturned at Wayne Fitzgerald State Park at Rend Lake. One camper was injured.

Thunderstorm Wind, Williamson

When: April 15, 5:52 AM CST
Where: Williamson County, Hermin
Property damage: $500
Coordinates: 37.730, -88.930 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

The County Sheriff's Department reported 60 mph winds.

Thunderstorm Wind, Franklin

When: April 15, 5:55 AM CST
Where: Franklin County, Thompsonville
Property damage: $50,000
Coordinates: 37.992, -88.924 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Trees were blown down and a roof was torn off a mobile home.

Thunderstorm Wind, Clay

When: April 15, 5:57 AM CST
Where: Clay County, Flora
Property damage: $500
Coordinates: 38.754, -88.490 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Large trees were blown down in Flora. A storage building was blown over in Clay City and large trees were blown down. A funnel cloud was reported near Sailor Springs.

Thunderstorm Wind, Richland

When: April 15, 6:00 AM CST
Where: Richland County, Noble
Property damage: $50,000
Coordinates: 38.712, -88.085 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

A mobile home was overturned. The Noble High School roof was partially peeled off. Trees and branches were blown down on the north side of town.

Thunderstorm Wind, Clay

When: April 15, 6:05 AM CST
Where: Clay County, Clay City
Property damage: $5,000
Coordinates: 38.754, -88.490 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Large trees were blown down in Flora. A storage building was blown over in Clay City and large trees were blown down. A funnel cloud was reported near Sailor Springs.

Thunderstorm Wind, Crawford

When: April 15, 6:10 AM CST
Where: Crawford County, Flat Rock and Heathsv
Property damage: $5,000
Coordinates: 39.003, -87.760 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

A porch was destroyed and trees were blown down at Robinson. At Flat Rock, limbs were downed, siding was torn off a home and outbuildings were damaged. Power lines and trees were downed at Heathsville.

Thunderstorm Wind, Crawford

When: April 15, 6:10 AM CST
Where: Crawford County, Robinson
Property damage: $5,000
Coordinates: 39.003, -87.760 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Thunderstorm Wind, Wayne

When: April 15, 6:12 AM CST
Where: Wayne County, Fairfield
Injuries: 1 direct, 0 indirect
Property damage: $500,000
Coordinates: 38.430, -88.426 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Three mobile homes were destroyed in Fairfield injuring one person. Trees and power lines were also blown down in Fairfield.

Thunderstorm Wind, Edgar

When: April 15, 6:15 AM CST
Where: Edgar County, Paris
Injuries: 1 direct, 0 indirect
Coordinates: 39.679, -87.746 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Thunderstorm winds blew a pickup truck off of Route 133 five miles west of Paris. One person was injured in the truck. Also, several trees and numerous tree limbs were blown down in Paris, as well as, one parked tractor semi-trailer.

Thunderstorm Wind, Johnson

When: April 15, 6:20 AM CST
Where: Johnson County
Property damage: $50,000
Coordinates: 37.460, -88.881 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Several grain bins and farm equipment buildings were destroyed. Trees were damaged.

Thunderstorm Wind, Wabash

When: April 15, 6:20 AM CST
Where: Wabash County, Mt Carmel
Property damage: $500
Coordinates: 38.446, -87.844 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Trees and power lines were blown down in Mt Carmel.

Thunderstorm Wind, White

When: April 15, 6:25 AM CST
Where: White County, Carmi
Property damage: $500
Coordinates: 38.088, -88.180 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Large trees were blown down in Carmi and the surrounding area.

Thunderstorm Wind, Gallatin

When: April 15, 6:28 AM CST
Where: Gallatin County, Shawneetown
Property damage: $500
Coordinates: 37.763, -88.230 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Large trees were blown down around Shawneetown and along the Ohio River.

Thunderstorm Wind, Saline

When: April 15, 6:30 AM CST
Where: Saline County, Harrisburg and to Galatia
Property damage: $5,000
Coordinates: 37.753, -88.541 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Trees and power lines were downed.

Thunderstorm Wind, Hamilton

When: April 15, 6:33 AM CST
Where: Hamilton County, McLeansboro
Property damage: $50
Coordinates: 38.082, -88.539 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Trees were blown down.

Thunderstorm Wind, Lawrence

When: April 15, 6:35 AM CST
Where: Lawrence County, Lawrenceville
Property damage: $500
Coordinates: 38.720, -87.727 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Trees were blown down around Lawrenceville.

Thunderstorm Wind, Massac

When: April 15, 6:36 AM CST
Where: Massac County, Metropolis
Property damage: $50
Coordinates: 37.219, -88.708 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Several trees were blown down on the southwest side of Metropolis.

Thunderstorm Wind, Pope

When: April 15, 6:42 AM CST
Where: Pope County, McCormick and to Golconda
Property damage: $50,000
Coordinates: 37.413, -88.562 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Numerous large trees were blown down in the north part of the county near McCormick. A boat was severely damaged by high winds at a marina at Golconda. Damages were $20,000.

Thunderstorm Wind, Jo Daviess

When: April 15, 10:38 PM CST
Where: Jo Daviess County, East Dubuque to And Menominee
Property damage: $5,000
Coordinates: 42.366, -90.212 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Thunderstorm winds damaged a porch in East Dubuque and knocked down trees at Menominee. Large hail damaged cars and siding at Elizabeth.

Hail, Jo Daviess

When: April 15, 10:40 PM CST
Where: Jo Daviess County, Elizabeth
Measured: 1.75 in hail
Property damage: $5,000
Coordinates: 42.366, -90.212 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Thunderstorm winds damaged a porch in East Dubuque and knocked down trees at Menominee. Large hail damaged cars and siding at Elizabeth.

Hail, Jo Daviess

When: April 15, 10:40 PM CST
Where: Jo Daviess County, Hanover
Measured: 0.75 in hail
Coordinates: 42.366, -90.212 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Thunderstorm winds damaged a porch in East Dubuque and knocked down trees at Menominee. Large hail damaged cars and siding at Elizabeth.

What these are

Hail: Hail three-quarters of an inch or larger, or smaller hail that caused damage, filed with the largest stone measured.
Thunderstorm Wind: Winds from a thunderstorm of 50 knots (58 mph) or more, or lower winds that caused damage or casualties. Measured gusts are marked MG, estimated EG.
Tornado: A violently rotating column of air in contact with the ground and extending from a thunderstorm, filed with its path, width and Fujita or Enhanced Fujita rating from the damage survey.

After NWS Directive 10-1605, the rules offices file Storm Data by.

The same day elsewhere

Every storm in Illinois in 1994 Every state in 1994 This day in weather history The tornado archive for Illinois, 1994 Warnings in Illinois, April 1994

Sources

NOAA National Centers for Environmental Information, Storm Events Database, compiled from the National Weather Service’s monthly Storm Data. Complete through 2026-06; NCEI adds each month about 75 days after it ends and revises past years a few times a year. Rebuilt 2026-09-24. Each event’s entry at NCEI: 10322821, 10322822, 10322860, 10320567, 10322710, 10320393, 10322974, 10321005, 10322857, 10322858, 10322621, 10322622, 10322623, 10322859, 10320359, 10320533, 10322624, 10322625, 10322769, 10322626, 10322770, 10322771, 10322916, 10320718, 10320719, 10322917, 10320446, 10320551, 10320552, 10322614, 10320578, 10320547, 10320280, 10320447, 10322834, 10320288, 10320324, 10320591, 10322758, 10320592, and more.