Tornadoes and Hail in Illinois, May 18, 1995

Name: Tornadoes and Hail in Illinois, May 18, 1995
Start: 1995-05-18T00:04
End: 1995-05-18T14:25
Location: Illinois

May 18, 1995 · 48 events in 27 counties and zones

29 thunderstorm wind, 10 tornado, 9 hail, as filed by the National Weather Service.

Where it happened

Every event with a place to put it; 38 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: 2
Injuries: 0
Property damage: $1.1 million
Crop damage: None recorded
Events: 48

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.

The radar

The national radar mosaic for the moment the first event began.

Open the radar archive at this moment

Event by event

29 thunderstorm wind, 10 tornado, 9 hail. Local standard time, as filed.

Thunderstorm Wind, Union

When: May 18, 12:04 AM CST
Where: Union County, Jonesboro
Measured: 52 kt (60 mph)
Coordinates: 37.471, -89.255 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Thunderstorm Wind, Alexander

When: May 18, 12:10 AM CST
Where: Alexander County, Countywide
Property damage: $10,000
Coordinates: 37.192, -89.338 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Numerous trees were downed. Hardest hit was the area along the Union County line, where trees fell across roads and damaged utility lines.

Thunderstorm Wind, Pulaski

When: May 18, 12:38 AM CST
Where: Pulaski County, Wetaug
Measured: 50 kt (58 mph)
Coordinates: 37.223, -89.127 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Thunderstorm Wind, Saline

When: May 18, 12:40 AM CST
Where: Saline County, Harrisburg
Measured: 50 kt (58 mph)
Coordinates: 37.753, -88.541 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Thunderstorm Wind, Massac

When: May 18, 12:50 AM CST
Where: Massac County, Unionville
Measured: 50 kt (58 mph)
Coordinates: 37.219, -88.708 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Thunderstorm Wind, Hardin

When: May 18, 1:00 AM CST
Where: Hardin County, Elizabethtown
Measured: 50 kt (58 mph)
Coordinates: 37.518, -88.267 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Thunderstorm Wind, Massac

When: May 18, 1:25 AM CST
Where: Massac County, Brookport
Measured: 52 kt (60 mph)
Coordinates: 37.219, -88.708 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Hail, Mason

When: May 18, 10:12 AM CST
Where: Mason County, Havana
Measured: 1.75 in hail
Coordinates: 40.240, -89.917 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Hail, Logan

When: May 18, 11:20 AM CST
Where: Logan County, Lincoln
Measured: 0.75 in hail
Coordinates: 40.125, -89.367 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Thunderstorm winds damaged the roof on one home 5 NW of Atlanta. Damage was estimated around $5,000.

Tornado, Monroe

When: May 18, 11:37 AM CST
Where: Monroe County, Waterloo
Rating: F1
Path length: 0.6 mi
Path width: 85 yd
Property damage: $885
Coordinates: 38.330, -90.150

A tornado briefly touched down on the western side of town and lifted the roof off a business. In one area where several homes were damaged, a recreational vehicle was picked up and set down in the middle of a destroyed house. Trees and large branches were also downed and large hail was also reported by local law enforcement.

Thunderstorm Wind, Monroe

When: May 18, 11:40 AM CST
Where: Monroe County, Columbia
Property damage: $125
Coordinates: 38.279, -90.177 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Several homes southeast of Columbia sustained minor roof damage.

Tornado, Monroe

When: May 18, 11:40 AM CST to 11:46 AM CST
Where: Monroe County, Monroe City to to Burksville
Rating: F2
Path length: 4 mi
Path width: 300 yd
Property damage: $75,000
Coordinates: 38.230, -90.280

A tornado initially touched down at the intersection of Mayestown and Koch Roads then heavily damaged the second story of a brick home. Several farm buildings were flattened as well. The tornado tracked northeast and crossed the intersection of County Road KK and Rock Road. Four farm buildings and two homes sustained varying degrees of damage including broken windows and sections of roofs torn off. Before the tornado lifted, it damaged several large trees.

Tornado, Monroe

When: May 18, 11:42 AM CST to 11:48 AM CST
Where: Monroe County, Mayestown to to Burksville
Rating: F1
Path length: 4.5 mi
Path width: 100 yd
Property damage: $23,000
Coordinates: 38.250, -90.180

A tornado touched down near the intersection of Fischer and Rock Roads and moved northeast. Two homes sustained minor roof damage, a number of farm buildings were knocked down, and two grain bins were toppled.

Tornado, Monroe

When: May 18, 11:44 AM CST to 11:50 AM CST
Where: Monroe County, Burksville to to Waterloo
Rating: F1
Path length: 6 mi
Path width: 200 yd
Property damage: $50,000
Coordinates: 38.250, -90.180

A tornado touched down southwest of Burksville knocking down several trees and power lines. It moved northeast and through the town of Burksville shearing off trees and damaging about 20 homes and businesses. Northeast of town, two farms also sustained damage, including home roofs, barns, and grain bins. The tornado crossed Highway 3 and lifted a few minutes later knocking down trees and power poles.

Thunderstorm Wind, Logan

When: May 18, 11:45 AM CST
Where: Logan County, Atlanta
Property damage: $5,000
Coordinates: 40.125, -89.367 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Thunderstorm winds damaged the roof on one home 5 NW of Atlanta. Damage was estimated around $5,000.

Tornado, St. Clair

When: May 18, 11:46 AM CST
Where: St. Clair County, Millstadt
Rating: F0
Path length: 0.4 mi
Path width: 75 yd
Property damage: $4,000
Coordinates: 38.250, -90.130

A tornado touched down briefly damaging one outbuilding and knocking down several large trees.

Tornado, Monroe

When: May 18, 11:46 AM CST to 11:52 AM CST
Where: Monroe County, Burksville to to Waterloo
Rating: F2
Path length: 4.2 mi
Path width: 170 yd
Property damage: $110,000
Coordinates: 38.250, -90.130

A tornado touched down southeast of Burksville in open country then traveled through a residential area as it moved northeast. Five homes sustained minor roof damage, although several garages and large utility buildings suffered severe damage where the roof was completely removed or sides of the buildings were knocked out. A farm implement store and storage building were also heavily damaged, with insulation from the store carried 300 yards northeast. Several high tension electrical lines were snapped after the tornado crossed Highway 3.

Tornado, Monroe

When: May 18, 11:48 AM CST to 11:54 AM CST
Where: Monroe County, Hecker
Rating: F1
Path length: 4.8 mi
Path width: 150 yd
Property damage: $100,000
Coordinates: 38.270, -90.080

A tornado touched down along Sportman Road just south of Highway 3 knocking down nearby trees. As the tornado moved northeast, a home and barn were damaged less than a mile northeast of Highway 3. The roof of the home had structural roof damage and debris from the barn was blown 200 to 300 yards to the northeast. The tornado then damaged three homes north of County Road KK and knocked down trees. One farm had a house and barn heavily damaged just south of Highway 156 before the tornado lifted.

Hail, St. Clair

When: May 18, 11:55 AM CST
Where: St. Clair County, Smithton
Measured: 1.75 in hail
Coordinates: 38.470, -89.928 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Golf ball-size hail was reported in Smithton along with minor roof damage and trees snapped off in Freeburg.

Thunderstorm Wind, St. Clair

When: May 18, 11:55 AM CST
Where: St. Clair County, Freeburg
Property damage: $800
Coordinates: 38.470, -89.928 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Golf ball-size hail was reported in Smithton along with minor roof damage and trees snapped off in Freeburg.

Thunderstorm Wind, St. Clair

When: May 18, 12:05 PM CST
Where: St. Clair County, Fayetteville
Property damage: $600
Coordinates: 38.470, -89.928 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Trees and power lines were blown down.

Thunderstorm Wind, Clinton

When: May 18, 12:10 PM CST
Where: Clinton County, Albers
Property damage: $300
Coordinates: 38.607, -89.422 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Large trees were blown down along Highway 161. Reported by a local newspaper.

Hail, Washington

When: May 18, 12:20 PM CST
Where: Washington County, Okawville
Measured: 1.75 in hail
Coordinates: 38.352, -89.410 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Golf ball-size hail fell for ten minutes west of Okawville but no damage was reported.

Hail, Clinton

When: May 18, 12:25 PM CST
Where: Clinton County, Carlyle
Measured: 1.75 in hail
Coordinates: 38.607, -89.422 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Golf ball-size hail was reported.

Tornado, Washington

When: May 18, 12:28 PM CST to 12:52 PM CST
Where: Washington County, Addieville to to Hoyleton
Rating: F1
Path length: 18 mi
Path width: 200 yd
Property damage: $130,000
Coordinates: 38.380, -89.500

A tornado touched down west-southwest of Addieville damaging several homes on the southern part of town. Several roofs were partially torn off or damaged by falling trees. It crossed Interstate 64 knocking down several trees and shearing highway signs off. As the vortex crossed Highway 127, an 80-foot radio tower was destroyed and two large utility buildings were heavily damaged. As it continued to move east-northeast it damaged homes and buildings on two area farms reaching its maximum width at this point. Before lifting south of Hoyleton, the tornado damaged more farm buildings, a grain silo, and numerous large trees.

Thunderstorm Wind, Clinton

When: May 18, 12:35 PM CST
Where: Clinton County, Hoffman
Property damage: $3,000
Coordinates: 38.607, -89.422 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Minor structural damage was reported to some homes.

Hail, Randolph

When: May 18, 12:40 PM CST
Where: Randolph County, Evansville
Measured: 1.75 in hail
Coordinates: 38.052, -89.825 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Golf ball-size hail was reported.

Thunderstorm Wind, Jackson

When: May 18, 12:45 PM CST
Where: Jackson County, Several Locations
Measured: 50 kt (58 mph)
Property damage: $10,000
Coordinates: 37.785, -89.382 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

A large tree fell on a garage and house in Vergennes. The garage was very heavily damaged.

Hail, Perry

When: May 18, 12:46 PM CST
Where: Perry County, Du Quoin
Measured: 1.5 in hail
Coordinates: 38.084, -89.367 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

The county sheriff reported large hail and numerous trees and power lines down. Wind gusts were estimated at 70 mph.

Thunderstorm Wind, Perry

When: May 18, 12:46 PM CST
Where: Perry County, Du Quoin
Measured: 61 kt (70 mph)
Property damage: $1,000
Coordinates: 38.084, -89.367 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

The county sheriff reported large hail and numerous trees and power lines down. Wind gusts were estimated at 70 mph.

Tornado, Jefferson

When: May 18, 12:50 PM CST
Where: Jefferson County, Waltonville
Rating: F0
Path length: 0.3 mi
Path width: 40 yd
Coordinates: 38.220, -89.050

A brief tornado touch down was reported in the Waltonville area.

Thunderstorm Wind, Marion

When: May 18, 12:50 PM CST
Where: Marion County, Centralia
Property damage: $4,000
Coordinates: 38.650, -88.919 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Numerous trees were snapped off and roofs damaged south of Odin while a mobile home south of Salem was completely destroyed. Several stores in Centralia also had broken windows and trees were blown down damaging parked cars.

Thunderstorm Wind, Marion

When: May 18, 12:53 PM CST
Where: Marion County, Odin
Property damage: $4,000
Coordinates: 38.650, -88.919 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Thunderstorm Wind, Marion

When: May 18, 12:55 PM CST
Where: Marion County, Salem
Property damage: $156
Coordinates: 38.650, -88.919 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Thunderstorm Wind, Fayette

When: May 18, 1:04 PM CST
Where: Fayette County, Farina
Measured: 52 kt (60 mph)
Property damage: $200
Coordinates: 39.000, -89.024 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Wind gusts to 60 mph knocked down several trees in the area.

Thunderstorm Wind, Jefferson

When: May 18, 1:07 PM CST
Where: Jefferson County, Mt.Vernon
Property damage: $2,000
Coordinates: 38.301, -88.924 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

A mobile home was damaged along Interstate 64 south of Mt.Vernon.

Hail, Clinton

When: May 18, 1:15 PM CST
Where: Clinton County, Farina
Measured: 0.75 in hail
Coordinates: 38.607, -89.422 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Numerous barns in and around St. Rose sustained damage and grain bins were toppled over. Power lines were also knocked down with power outages in Trenton and New Baden.

Thunderstorm Wind, Union

When: May 18, 1:15 PM CST
Where: Union County, Anna
Measured: 50 kt (58 mph)
Coordinates: 37.471, -89.255 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Thunderstorm Wind, Clay

When: May 18, 1:30 PM CST
Where: Clay County, Countywide
Property damage: $100,000
Coordinates: 38.754, -88.490 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Numerous trees were blown down across the county.

Hail, Johnson

When: May 18, 1:45 PM CST
Where: Johnson County, Vienna
Measured: 0.75 in hail
Coordinates: 37.460, -88.881 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Thunderstorm Wind, Johnson

When: May 18, 1:45 PM CST
Where: Johnson County, Vienna
Measured: 50 kt (58 mph)
Coordinates: 37.460, -88.881 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Thunderstorm Wind, Richland

When: May 18, 1:45 PM CST
Where: Richland County, Countywide
Property damage: $100,000
Coordinates: 38.712, -88.085 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Numerous trees were blown down across the county.

Thunderstorm Wind, Wayne

When: May 18, 1:55 PM CST
Where: Wayne County, Countywide
Property damage: $100,000
Coordinates: 38.430, -88.426 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Numerous trees were blown down across the county.

Thunderstorm Wind, Edwards

When: May 18, 2:10 PM CST
Where: Edwards County, Countywide
Deaths: 2 direct, 0 indirect
Property damage: $200,000
Coordinates: 38.417, -88.053 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Two fatalities occurred when straight-line winds overturned a tractor-semitrailer into the path of an oncoming automobile. Both drivers were killed instantly. Numerous trees were blown down across the county with widespread power outages.

Thunderstorm Wind, White

When: May 18, 2:20 PM CST
Where: White County, Norris City
Property damage: $5,000
Coordinates: 38.088, -88.180 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Numerous large limbs were blown down in the vicinity of Norris City.

Thunderstorm Wind, Lawrence

When: May 18, 2:25 PM CST
Where: Lawrence County, Countywide
Property damage: $10,000
Coordinates: 38.720, -87.727 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Several trees were blown down across the county.

Thunderstorm Wind, Crawford

When: May 18, 2:25 PM CST
Where: Crawford County, Countywide
Property damage: $10,000
Coordinates: 39.003, -87.760 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Several trees and power lines were blown down across the county.

Tornado, Wabash

When: May 18, 2:25 PM CST
Where: Wabash County, Mt Carmel
Rating: F1
Path length: 0.5 mi
Path width: 50 yd
Property damage: $50,000
Coordinates: 38.470, -87.770

A brief tornado touchdown produced minor damage to three homes just north of Mt. Carmel along Highway 1. Elsewhere across the county several trees and power lines were blown down by straight- * Wayne County Fairfield,24,1345CST,,,0,0,1K,0,Hail (0.75)

What these are

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.
Hail: Hail three-quarters of an inch or larger, or smaller hail that caused damage, filed with the largest stone measured.
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 1995 Every state in 1995 This day in weather history The tornado archive for Illinois, 1995 Warnings in Illinois, May 1995

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: 10322866, 10320529, 10322719, 10322911, 10322604, 10320749, 10322605, 10322594, 10320431, 10322898, 10322899, 10322900, 10322901, 10322902, 10320432, 10322684, 10322903, 10322904, 10322685, 10322728, 10322729, 10320724, 10322924, 10320725, 10322984, 10320726, 10322777, 10320284, 10322615, 10322616, 10320328, 10322543, 10322544, 10322545, 10320581, 10320329, 10320727, 10322867, 10320697, 10320376, and more.