Illinois, 1996

Lightning Strike in Illinois, May 24, 1996

May 24, 1996 · NWS DVN · 1 event in 1 county or zone

Damage was sustained by the Immanuel Lutheran Church when a fire that started on the roof spread to the interior. This fire was part of a widespread lightning event which damaged several structures, destroyed numerous trees, and started four other fires.

Where it happened

Every event with a place to put it; 1 filed by county or forecast zone are drawn at its center, in a lighter ring. Tap one for its entry below.

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The toll

Deaths
0
Injuries
0
Property damage
$30,000
Crop damage
None recorded
Events
1

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.

What happened

The episode as NWS DVN wrote it up.

Damage was sustained by the Immanuel Lutheran Church when a fire that started on the roof spread to the interior. This fire was part of a widespread lightning event which damaged several structures, destroyed numerous trees, and started four other fires.

The radar

The Quad Cities radar (KDVN), 74 km away, was scanning. The volume nearest the first event began at 09:58 UTC.

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Event by event

1 lightning. Local standard time, as filed.

Lightning, Carroll

When
May 24, 4:00 AM CST
Where
Carroll County, Mt Carroll
Property damage
$30,000
Coordinates
42.069, -89.934 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

What these are

Lightning
A lightning strike that killed, injured or caused damage.

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

The same day elsewhere

More

Every storm in Illinois in 1996Every state in 1996This day in weather historyWarnings in Illinois, May 1996

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: 5557836.