Tornadoes and Hail in Illinois, April 26, 1994

Name: Tornadoes and Hail in Illinois, April 26, 1994
Start: 1994-04-26T16:25
End: 1994-04-26T23:55
Location: Illinois

April 26, 1994 · 78 events in 32 counties and zones

45 hail, 25 thunderstorm wind, 8 tornado, as filed by the National Weather Service.

Where it happened

Every event with a place to put it; 71 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

Open the live radar over this ground

The toll

Deaths: 0
Injuries: 5
Property damage: $6.8 million
Crop damage: None recorded
Events: 78

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

45 hail, 25 thunderstorm wind, 8 tornado. Local standard time, as filed.

Hail, Will

When: April 26, 4:25 PM CST
Where: Will County, Plainfield
Measured: 0.75 in hail
Coordinates: 41.445, -87.979 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Hail, Will

When: April 26, 5:30 PM CST
Where: Will County, Wilmington
Measured: 0.75 in hail
Coordinates: 41.445, -87.979 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Hail, Livingston

When: April 26, 5:35 PM CST
Where: Livingston County, Dwight
Measured: 0.84 in hail
Coordinates: 40.892, -88.558 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Hail, Grundy

When: April 26, 5:45 PM CST
Where: Grundy County, Gardner
Measured: 1 in hail
Coordinates: 41.285, -88.418 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Hail, Adams

When: April 26, 5:48 PM CST
Where: Adams County, Quincy
Measured: 0.75 in hail
Coordinates: 39.988, -91.188 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

A local television station reported hail 0.75 inch in diameter and wind gusts to 55 mph. Minor damage to a building was reported.

Thunderstorm Wind, Adams

When: April 26, 5:48 PM CST
Where: Adams County, Quincy
Property damage: $5,000
Coordinates: 39.988, -91.188 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

A local television station reported hail 0.75 inch in diameter and wind gusts to 55 mph. Minor damage to a building was reported.

Hail, Will

When: April 26, 5:50 PM CST
Where: Will County, Frankfort
Measured: 0.75 in hail
Coordinates: 41.445, -87.979 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Hail, Cook

When: April 26, 6:00 PM CST
Where: Cook County, Hazel Crest
Measured: 1 in hail
Coordinates: 41.895, -87.646 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Hail, Cook

When: April 26, 6:03 PM CST
Where: Cook County, Markham
Measured: 1.75 in hail
Coordinates: 41.895, -87.646 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Hail, Will

When: April 26, 6:03 PM CST
Where: Will County, Wilmington
Measured: 0.75 in hail
Coordinates: 41.445, -87.979 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Hail, Cook

When: April 26, 6:07 PM CST
Where: Cook County, Lake Calumet
Measured: 1.75 in hail
Coordinates: 41.895, -87.646 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Hail, Will

When: April 26, 6:07 PM CST
Where: Will County, Pontiac
Measured: 1.75 in hail
Coordinates: 41.445, -87.979 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Hail, Tazewell

When: April 26, 6:12 PM CST
Where: Tazewell County, Minier
Measured: 1.75 in hail
Coordinates: 40.508, -89.513 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Hail, Christian

When: April 26, 6:15 PM CST
Where: Christian County, Taylorville
Measured: 0.75 in hail
Coordinates: 39.546, -89.277 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Hail, Grundy

When: April 26, 6:25 PM CST
Where: Grundy County, Gardner
Measured: 1.75 in hail
Coordinates: 41.285, -88.418 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Hail, Will

When: April 26, 6:25 PM CST
Where: Will County, Braidwood
Measured: 1 in hail
Coordinates: 41.445, -87.979 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Hail, McLean

When: April 26, 6:26 PM CST
Where: McLean County, Danvers
Measured: 1.75 in hail
Coordinates: 40.491, -88.847 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Hail, Will

When: April 26, 6:27 PM CST
Where: Will County, Wilmington
Measured: 1.75 in hail
Coordinates: 41.445, -87.979 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Hail, McLean

When: April 26, 6:29 PM CST
Where: McLean County, Yuton
Measured: 0.88 in hail
Coordinates: 40.491, -88.847 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Thunderstorm Wind, Christian

When: April 26, 6:30 PM CST
Where: Christian County, Taylorville
Coordinates: 39.546, -89.277 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Thunderstorm winds blew down several sections of an 8-foot-tall wooden fencing in Taylorville.

Hail, McLean

When: April 26, 6:39 PM CST
Where: McLean County, Towanda
Measured: 0.75 in hail
Coordinates: 40.491, -88.847 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Hail, McLean

When: April 26, 6:42 PM CST
Where: McLean County, Gridley
Measured: 1 in hail
Coordinates: 40.491, -88.847 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Hail, Will

When: April 26, 6:43 PM CST
Where: Will County, Mokena
Measured: 0.75 in hail
Coordinates: 41.445, -87.979 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Hail, Will

When: April 26, 6:47 PM CST
Where: Will County, Frankfort
Measured: 0.88 in hail
Coordinates: 41.445, -87.979 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Hail, Macon

When: April 26, 6:55 PM CST
Where: Macon County, Niantic
Measured: 1.75 in hail
Coordinates: 39.860, -88.962 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Hail, Cook

When: April 26, 7:00 PM CST
Where: Cook County, Dixmoor
Measured: 1.75 in hail
Coordinates: 41.895, -87.646 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Hail, McLean

When: April 26, 7:08 PM CST
Where: McLean County, Colfax
Measured: 0.75 in hail
Coordinates: 40.491, -88.847 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Thunderstorm Wind, Calhoun

When: April 26, 7:15 PM CST
Where: Calhoun County, Batchtown
Property damage: $500
Coordinates: 39.169, -90.667 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Numerous large trees were blown down between Batchtown and Brussels across southern sections of the county.

Thunderstorm Wind, Calhoun

When: April 26, 7:25 PM CST
Where: Calhoun County, Brussels
Property damage: $500
Coordinates: 39.169, -90.667 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Numerous large trees were blown down between Batchtown and Brussels across southern sections of the county.

Hail, Kankakee

When: April 26, 7:30 PM CST
Where: Kankakee County, Deselm
Measured: 1 in hail
Property damage: $5,000
Coordinates: 41.138, -87.862 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

High winds and hail damaged windows and a porch. Jersey County Jerseyville,26,1933CST,,,0,0,3,0,Thunderstorm Winds Otterville,26,1933CST,,,0,0,4,0,Thunderstorm Winds Otterville,26,1933CST,,,0,0,3,0,Hail (1.75) The county sheriff reported wind damage to buildings and trees in Jerseyville. Golf ball-size hail also damaged cars in Otterville and high wind caused extensive damage to buildings and trees.

Hail, McLean

When: April 26, 7:38 PM CST
Where: McLean County, Anchor
Measured: 0.75 in hail
Coordinates: 40.491, -88.847 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Hail, Will

When: April 26, 7:57 PM CST
Where: Will County, Monee
Measured: 1.75 in hail
Coordinates: 41.445, -87.979 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Hail, Iroquois

When: April 26, 7:59 PM CST
Where: Iroquois County, Watseka
Measured: 1.75 in hail
Coordinates: 40.747, -87.824 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Hail, Cook

When: April 26, 8:05 PM CST
Where: Cook County, Park Forest
Measured: 0.75 in hail
Coordinates: 41.895, -87.646 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Hail, Kankakee

When: April 26, 8:18 PM CST
Where: Kankakee County, Bourbonnais
Measured: 1.75 in hail
Coordinates: 41.138, -87.862 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

High winds caused hail to accumulate several inches deep along walls.

Hail, Livingston

When: April 26, 8:23 PM CST
Where: Livingston County, Forrest
Measured: 0.75 in hail
Coordinates: 40.892, -88.558 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Hail, Kankakee

When: April 26, 8:24 PM CST
Where: Kankakee County, Bradley
Measured: 1.75 in hail
Coordinates: 41.138, -87.862 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

High winds caused hail to accumulate several inches deep along walls.

Tornado, Douglas

When: April 26, 8:30 PM CST
Where: Douglas County, Arcola
Rating: F0
Path length: 1 mi
Path width: 100 yd
Coordinates: 39.670, -88.330

At 2027 CST, a confirmed tornado touched down 2 SW of Arcola and lifted three minutes later. Three out buildings were blown over.

Hail, Ford

When: April 26, 8:30 PM CST
Where: Ford County, Gibson City to Paxton
Measured: 1.75 in hail
Property damage: $5,000
Coordinates: 40.597, -88.223 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

High winds and hail damaged siding, windows and automobiles.

Tornado, Coles

When: April 26, 8:31 PM CST
Where: Coles County, Cooks Mills
Rating: F1
Path length: 3 mi
Path width: 130 yd
Property damage: $5.0 million
Coordinates: 39.630, -88.400

A tornado touched down three miles north of Cooks Mills and lifted five miles NE of Cooks Mills. Some farm equipment was damaged, as well as, four high voltage power lines. Damage is estimated between $620,000 and $700,000.

Thunderstorm Wind, Sangamon

When: April 26, 8:34 PM CST
Where: Sangamon County, Pawnee
Coordinates: 39.758, -89.659 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Thunderstorm winds blew out several windows and damaged a front door on a residence in Pawnee.

Thunderstorm Wind, Iroquois

When: April 26, 8:35 PM CST
Where: Iroquois County, Gilman
Coordinates: 40.747, -87.824 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Thunderstorm winds downed power lines and snapped a power pole east of Gilman on highway 24. A small tornado touched down briefly. An abandoned cinder block car wash building was moved from its foundation and the roof was damaged. Several metal storage buildings were damaged, one landed on a car. Tree limbs and power lines were knocked down.

Tornado, Will

When: April 26, 8:40 PM CST
Where: Will County, Beecher to to Beecher
Rating: F0
Path length: 3 mi
Path width: 20 yd
Property damage: $50,000
Coordinates: 41.320, -87.580

Two small tornadoes touched down producing parallel paths about 0.50 to 1 mile apart. The first tornado touched down southeast of Beecher damaging a house roof, grain bins and other farm buildings. A few trees and limbs were also damaged and one power pole was pushed partly over. The tornado lifted just west of the Indiana state line. Another tornado touched down about 0.50 mile northwest of where the first tornado lifted in eastern Will County. It crossed the state line into Lake County Indiana 5 miles east of Beecher. On the Illinois side the tornado blew down tree limbs and knocked down an antenna. One house had its roof taken off at the state line. On the Indiana side, several farm buildings were damaged and a row of pine trees was uprooted at another farm.

Tornado, Will

When: April 26, 8:40 PM CST
Where: Will County, Beecher
Rating: F1
Path length: 2 mi
Path width: 20 yd
Property damage: $50,000
Coordinates: 41.320, -87.580

Thunderstorm Wind, Montgomery

When: April 26, 8:40 PM CST
Where: Montgomery County, Hillsboro
Coordinates: 39.231, -89.479 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Thunderstorm winds blew down several trees in Hillsboro.

Tornado, Iroquois

When: April 26, 8:45 PM CST
Where: Iroquois County, Watseka
Rating: F1
Path length: 1 mi
Path width: 20 yd
Property damage: $50,000
Coordinates: 40.780, -87.730

Thunderstorm Wind, Douglas

When: April 26, 8:45 PM CST
Where: Douglas County, Garrett
Injuries: 1 direct, 0 indirect
Coordinates: 39.770, -88.217 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Thunderstorm winds extensively damaged a home one mile west of Garrett, causing minor injuries to one person.

Hail, Ford

When: April 26, 8:45 PM CST
Where: Ford County, Roberts
Measured: 0.75 in hail
Coordinates: 40.597, -88.223 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Thunderstorm Wind, St. Clair

When: April 26, 8:51 PM CST
Where: St. Clair County, Dupo
Property damage: $500
Coordinates: 38.470, -89.928 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Several large trees were knocked down in Dupo and wind gusts as high as 70 mph were reported by ham radio spotters in Belleville. Quarter-size hail was also reported in Freeburg and dime-size hail was reported in Mascoutah.

Thunderstorm Wind, St. Clair

When: April 26, 8:55 PM CST
Where: St. Clair County, Belleville
Measured: 63 kt (72 mph)
Property damage: $5,000
Coordinates: 38.470, -89.928 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Hail, St. Clair

When: April 26, 8:57 PM CST
Where: St. Clair County, Freeburg
Measured: 1 in hail
Coordinates: 38.470, -89.928 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Hail, Christian

When: April 26, 9:00 PM CST
Where: Christian County, Taylorville
Measured: 1 in hail
Coordinates: 39.546, -89.277 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Hail, St. Clair

When: April 26, 9:03 PM CST
Where: St. Clair County, Mascoutah
Measured: 0.75 in hail
Coordinates: 38.470, -89.928 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Hail, Champaign

When: April 26, 9:05 PM CST
Where: Champaign County, Broadlands
Measured: 1.75 in hail
Coordinates: 40.140, -88.199 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Thunderstorm Wind, Champaign

When: April 26, 9:15 PM CST
Where: Champaign County, Champaign
Coordinates: 40.140, -88.199 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Thunderstorm winds caused extensive shingle and soffit damage to three homes on the southwest side of Champaign.

Thunderstorm Wind, Montgomery

When: April 26, 9:18 PM CST
Where: Montgomery County, Hillsboro Litchfield
Coordinates: 39.231, -89.479 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Thunderstorm winds blew down numerous power lines in Hillsboro and Litchfield.

Hail, Bond

When: April 26, 9:30 PM CST
Where: Bond County, Greenville
Measured: 1 in hail
Coordinates: 38.887, -89.436 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Ham radio spotters reported quarter-size hail.

Thunderstorm Wind, Clinton

When: April 26, 9:30 PM CST
Where: Clinton County, Trenton
Property damage: $500
Coordinates: 38.607, -89.422 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

The county sheriff office reported numerous large trees blown down.

Thunderstorm Wind, Randolph

When: April 26, 9:30 PM CST
Where: Randolph County, Prairie du
Measured: 52 kt (60 mph)
Coordinates: 38.052, -89.825 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Wind gusts to 60 mph were reported by county officials.

Thunderstorm Wind, Washington

When: April 26, 9:30 PM CST
Where: Washington County, Okawville
Property damage: $500
Coordinates: 38.352, -89.410 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

The county ESDA director reported large trees down or damaged near the town of Okawville and other tree damage was reported south of Lively Grove on Highway 153.

Thunderstorm Wind, Washington

When: April 26, 9:30 PM CST
Where: Washington County, Lively Grove
Property damage: $500
Coordinates: 38.352, -89.410 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

The county ESDA director reported large trees down or damaged near the town of Okawville and other tree damage was reported south of Lively Grove on Highway 153.

Hail, Bond

When: April 26, 9:38 PM CST
Where: Bond County, Mulberry Grove
Measured: 1.75 in hail
Property damage: $500
Coordinates: 38.887, -89.436 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Golf ball-size hail caused minor damage in the Mulberry Grove area. Reported by ham radio spotters.

Thunderstorm Wind, Montgomery

When: April 26, 9:40 PM CST
Where: Montgomery County, Nokomis
Coordinates: 39.231, -89.479 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Thunderstorm winds blew a tree down onto a garage causing moderate damage. Also, the winds blew down several power lines in Nokomis.

Hail, Vermilion

When: April 26, 9:45 PM CST
Where: Vermilion County, Westville
Measured: 1.75 in hail
Coordinates: 40.183, -87.733 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Hail, Iroquois

When: April 26, 9:47 PM CST
Where: Iroquois County, Loda
Measured: 1.5 in hail
Coordinates: 40.747, -87.824 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Hail, Fayette

When: April 26, 9:55 PM CST
Where: Fayette County, Vandalia
Measured: 1 in hail
Coordinates: 39.000, -89.024 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

The Illinois State Police reported one inch diameter hail west of Vandalia along Interstate 70.

Thunderstorm Wind, Marion

When: April 26, 10:10 PM CST
Where: Marion County, Pakota
Injuries: 1 direct, 0 indirect
Property damage: $50,000
Coordinates: 38.650, -88.919 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

A mobile home was severely damaged in Pakota causing one minor injury. The county sheriff also reported numerous trees down from Pakota to Kinmundy.

Thunderstorm Wind, Marion

When: April 26, 10:20 PM CST
Where: Marion County, Kinmundy
Property damage: $5,000
Coordinates: 38.650, -88.919 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

A mobile home was severely damaged in Pakota causing one minor injury. The county sheriff also reported numerous trees down from Pakota to Kinmundy.

Tornado, Effingham

When: April 26, 10:30 PM CST to 10:50 PM CST
Where: Effingham County, Eberle to to Eberle
Rating: F2
Path length: 6 mi
Path width: 50 yd
Injuries: 3 direct, 0 indirect
Property damage: $500,000
Coordinates: 38.920, -88.480

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.

Thunderstorm Wind, Clay

When: April 26, 10:40 PM CST
Where: Clay County, Louisville
Property damage: $500,000
Coordinates: 38.754, -88.490 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Two barns were destroyed by thunderstorm wind 6 miles north of Louisville. Large trees were blown down in Louisville.

Thunderstorm Wind, Wayne

When: April 26, 10:40 PM CST
Where: Wayne County, Zenith
Property damage: $5,000
Coordinates: 38.430, -88.426 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Windows were blown out of homes in Zenith. Several farm buildings were destroyed one mile north of Cisne.

Tornado, Champaign

When: April 26, 10:45 PM CST
Where: Champaign County, Broadlands
Rating: F0
Path length: 0.25 mi
Path width: 50 yd
Coordinates: 39.920, -87.950

A tornado briefly touched down in a farm yard 2 miles east of Broadlands. One out building was destroyed and another was moved 80 feet from foundation. Also, a metal machine shed was bent in and twisted on one side.

Thunderstorm Wind, Wayne

When: April 26, 10:53 PM CST
Where: Wayne County, Cisne
Property damage: $500,000
Coordinates: 38.430, -88.426 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Windows were blown out of homes in Zenith. Several farm buildings were destroyed one mile north of Cisne.

Thunderstorm Wind, Jasper

When: April 26, 11:00 PM CST
Where: Jasper County, Ste Marie
Property damage: $500
Coordinates: 39.010, -88.154 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Several large trees were blown down by thunderstorm winds.

Thunderstorm Wind, Crawford

When: April 26, 11:05 PM CST to 11:10 PM CST
Where: Crawford County, Oblong
Property damage: $500
Coordinates: 39.003, -87.760 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Numerous trees were blown down shortly before a small tornado touched down. The tornado overturned a travel trailer and uprooted eight to ten trees. Some of the trees fell onto homes.

Tornado, Crawford

When: April 26, 11:11 PM CST
Where: Crawford County
Rating: F0
Path length: 0.1 mi
Path width: 20 yd
Property damage: $50,000
Coordinates: 39.003, -87.760 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Numerous trees were blown down shortly before a small tornado touched down. The tornado overturned a travel trailer and uprooted eight to ten trees. Some of the trees fell onto homes.

Thunderstorm Wind, Lawrence

When: April 26, 11:29 PM CST
Where: Lawrence County, Sumner
Property damage: $500
Coordinates: 38.720, -87.727 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Trees and power lines were blown down in and east of Sumner.

Hail, Clay

When: April 26, 11:55 PM CST
Where: Clay County, Louisville
Measured: 0.88 in hail
Property damage: $50
Coordinates: 38.754, -88.490 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

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: 10322689, 10322690, 10320387, 10320675, 10320490, 10320491, 10322691, 10320770, 10320771, 10322692, 10320772, 10322693, 10322781, 10320661, 10320676, 10322694, 10321006, 10322695, 10321007, 10320662, 10321008, 10321009, 10322696, 10322697, 10320439, 10320773, 10321010, 10320576, 10320577, 10320417, 10321011, 10322698, 10320262, 10320774, 10320418, 10320388, 10320419, 10320479, 10320583, 10320731, and more.