Tornadoes and Flash Flooding in Illinois, April 3 to 7, 2014

Name: Tornadoes and Flash Flooding in Illinois, April 3 to 7, 2014
Start: 2014-04-03T07:30
End: 2014-04-07T04:30
Location: Illinois

April 3 to 7, 2014 · NWS PAH · 28 events in 11 counties and zones

Where it happened

Every event with a place to put it. 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: 0
Property damage: $399,000
Crop damage: $10,000
Events: 28

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 PAH wrote it up.

Thunderstorms intensified within a zone of strong southerly low level winds that provided abundant warmth and moisture. These strong low level winds enhanced wind shear, which promoted the development of supercells with isolated tornadoes. The storms formed near a warm front that was draped across southeast Missouri, southern Illinois, and western Kentucky. The storms occurred within a moist and moderately unstable air mass along and behind the warm front. The strong moisture feed contributed to torrential downpours that produced flash flooding in a number of counties. There was some major flash flooding in a corridor from Union County to Saline and Gallatin Counties during the evening.

What forecasters said that day

The local office's own words before the first event, as it sent them, from the Iowa Environmental Mesonet's archive of National Weather Service text.

NWS Paducah, KY wrote its last area forecast discussion before the first event at Apr 3, 2:43 AM CST, 4 hours 47 minutes earlier.

Area forecast discussion, Apr 3, 2:43 AM CST, 4 hours 47 minutes before

AREA FORECAST DISCUSSION
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE PADUCAH KY
343 AM CDT Thu Apr 3 2014

.SHORT TERM...(Today through Saturday night)
Issued at 315 AM CDT THU APR 3 2014

The potential still exists for numerous severe thunderstorms later
this afternoon and tonight with damaging winds, large hail and
tornadoes all possible, esp over southeast MO, sw IL and far wrn
KY. Moreover, a few significant, long-track tornadoes cannot be
ruled out.

Models continue to show decent agreement with the timing,
amplitude and general character of the main short wave trof that
will finally lift ne into the lower/mid MS Valley tonight. This
trof should take on a slightly negative tilt, leading to strong
diffluence/upward motion Thu aftn/night. Surface dew points are
already in the lower half of the 60s and more than ample shear
values later today and tonight suggest the potential for a few
significant, long-track tornadoes. Scattered discrete, rotating
storms are expected to develop later this afternoon in the warm
sector well ahead of the sfc cold front. In addition to these
storms, other severe convection should get going along the front
itself today over wrn MO/AR. This activity should eventually morph
into one or more severe MCS's and traverse the forecast area
overnight as the front accelerates eastward. The cold front should
finally clear the region by around sunrise Friday, taking the
severe threat with it.

Much cooler and drier air will quickly overspread the region
Friday and Friday night as Canadian high pressure pushes southeast
through the northern Plains. In fact, temperatures may not rise too
much from morning lows at many locations. Blustery west winds of
15 to 20 MPH will bring an added chill to the air Friday. A frost
or freeze will also be possible Friday night, before things begin
to warm a bit on Sunday.

.LONG TERM...(Sunday through Wednesday)
Issued at 315 AM CDT THU APR 3 2014

Medium confidence in the extended.

Sunday appears to be dry but that will soon change Sunday night. A
surface low that was originally progged to move through the Gulf
states is now tracking through the Jackson Purchase area of KY.
Although there is very little surface based instability. Elevated
instability is spreading over wrn KY with showalters now going below
zero due to the more northerly track of the low. Thus in
anticipation of this trend continuing went ahead and included the fa
in isolated thunder Sunday night. By sunrise Monday this instability
will be exiting the northeast with current model trends and will
reduce pops accordingly.

Models due indicate some lingering moisture albeit light at best
with the passage of the upper level trough Tuesday. Thus kept a
slight chance in Tuesday after a dry Monday night. Otherwise
temperatures will be a category or two below normal with high around
60 and lows around 40.

&&

.AVIATION...
Issued at 1221 AM CDT THU APR 3 2014

An increasing low level jet will result in continued late night
showers/tstms that will restrict cigs to MVFR, and vsbys to IFR at
times. Rainfall is expected to continue for at least part of the
morning Thu, under IFR cigs. During Thu afternoon, some strong to
severe thunderstorm activity is possible in scattered/isolated
fashion, with not enough timing/placement certainty to mention in
the TAFs at this time. Stronger action is expected with system
passage tomorrow night, in a more consolidated form, starting near
midnight. Meanwhile, southerly winds will increase in speed and
become gusty Thursday, on approach of a fast-moving cold front.

&&

.PAH WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES...
IL...NONE.
MO...NONE.
IN...NONE.
KY...NONE.
&&

SHORT TERM...MEFFERT
LONG TERM...KH
AVIATION...DB

Hazardous weather outlook, Apr 3, 3:41 AM CST, 3 hours 49 minutes before

HAZARDOUS WEATHER OUTLOOK
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE PADUCAH KY
441 AM CDT THU APR 3 2014

ILZ075>078-080>094-INZ081-082-085>088-KYZ001>022-MOZ076-086-087-
100-107>112-114-041000-
JEFFERSON-WAYNE IL-EDWARDS-WABASH-PERRY IL-FRANKLIN-HAMILTON-
WHITE-JACKSON-WILLIAMSON-SALINE-GALLATIN-UNION IL-JOHNSON-POPE-
HARDIN-ALEXANDER-PULASKI-MASSAC-GIBSON-PIKE-POSEY-VANDERBURGH-
WARRICK-SPENCER-FULTON-HICKMAN-CARLISLE-BALLARD-MCCRACKEN-GRAVES-
LIVINGSTON-MARSHALL-CALLOWAY-CRITTENDEN-LYON-TRIGG-CALDWELL-
UNION KY-WEBSTER-HOPKINS-CHRISTIAN-HENDERSON-DAVIESS-MCLEAN-
MUHLENBERG-TODD-PERRY MO-BOLLINGER-CAPE GIRARDEAU-WAYNE MO-CARTER-
RIPLEY-BUTLER-STODDARD-SCOTT-MISSISSIPPI-NEW MADRID-
441 AM CDT THU APR 3 2014

THIS HAZARDOUS WEATHER OUTLOOK IS FOR PORTIONS OF SOUTHERN
ILLINOIS...SOUTHWEST INDIANA...WESTERN KENTUCKY AND SOUTHEAST
MISSOURI.

.DAY ONE...TODAY AND TONIGHT

SCATTERED TO NUMEROUS SEVERE THUNDERSTORMS ARE LIKELY THIS
AFTERNOON AND TONIGHT. LARGE HAIL...DAMAGING WINDS AND TORNADOES
WILL ALL BE POSSIBLE. THERE WILL ALSO BE A RISK OF VERY HEAVY
RAINFALL WITH ANY THUNDERSTORMS THAT DEVELOP.

.DAYS TWO THROUGH SEVEN...FRIDAY THROUGH WEDNESDAY

ISOLATED THUNDERSTORMS WILL BE POSSIBLE SUNDAY NIGHT. NO SEVERE
STORMS ARE ANTICIPATED.

.SPOTTER INFORMATION STATEMENT...

SPOTTER ACTIVATION IS PROBABLE THIS AFTERNOON AND TONIGHT.

The radar

The Evansville,IN radar (KVWX), 47 km away, was scanning. The volume nearest the first event began at 13:31 UTC.

Open the radar archive at this moment

Event by event

10 flash flood, 5 tornado, 5 hail, 4 flood, 3 funnel cloud, 1 thunderstorm wind. Local standard time, as filed.

Tornado, White

When: April 3, 7:30 AM CST to 7:33 AM CST
Where: White County, 1.79 mi N of Trumbull to 2.17 mi NE of Trumbull
Rating: EF1
Path length: 0.99 mi
Path width: 90 yd
Property damage: $50,000
Reported by: NWS Storm Survey
Coordinates: 38.106, -88.226

At a home with an attached garage, the roof was lifted and partially separated from the walls. A large 42-by-66 foot machine shed with an attached lean-to was partially unroofed, and the doors were blown inward. Several small outbuildings were overturned. Approximately a dozen trees, mainly pine trees, were snapped or uprooted. Some debris was blown at least one-half mile away. The most intense damage occurred on County Road 1560N, northwest of Carmi. Peak winds were estimated near 100 mph.

Flash Flood, Williamson

When: April 3, 8:40 AM CST to 11:00 AM CST
Where: Williamson County, 1.11 mi SW of Timmons to 2.37 mi WSW of Ferges Town
Cause: Heavy Rain
Reported by: Trained Spotter
Coordinates: 37.707, -88.982

Water was over several city streets in Marion.

Flash Flood, White

When: April 3, 8:45 AM CST to 11:00 AM CST
Where: White County, 0.51 mi N of Sumpter to 1.44 mi SW of Crossville
Cause: Heavy Rain
Reported by: Trained Spotter
Coordinates: 38.157, -88.222

Several streets were covered by water in Carmi. Running water was across numerous roads in the county.

Flash Flood, Franklin

When: April 3, 8:55 AM CST to 10:15 AM CST
Where: Franklin County, 1.4 mi ESE of Rend City to 1.29 mi WNW of Zeigler
Cause: Heavy Rain
Reported by: Emergency Manager
Coordinates: 38.025, -88.955

Water was over many side streets in Benton, but none were closed. Water was over Highways 148 and 149 in several spots.

Flash Flood, Gallatin

When: April 3, 9:35 AM CST to 11:15 AM CST
Where: Gallatin County, 2.04 mi WSW of Equality to 4.63 mi NNE of Equality
Cause: Heavy Rain
Reported by: Trained Spotter
Coordinates: 37.724, -88.367

Lots of running water was across Highway 142 in the city limits.

Flash Flood, Saline

When: April 3, 10:49 AM CST to 11:30 AM CST
Where: Saline County, 0.74 mi ENE of Beulah Hgts to 1.14 mi WNW of Eldorado
Cause: Heavy Rain
Reported by: Trained Spotter
Coordinates: 37.803, -88.457

Water was flowing over several roads in the city limits.

Flash Flood, Jefferson

When: April 3, 2:50 PM CST to 5:00 PM CST
Where: Jefferson County, 1.91 mi WNW of Marlow to 2 mi SE of (Mvn)mt Vernon Arpt
Cause: Heavy Rain
Reported by: Trained Spotter
Coordinates: 38.328, -88.814

A trained spotter reported a creek was overflowing in his back yard after 2.3 inches of rain fell.

Hail, Saline

When: April 3, 6:20 PM CST
Where: Saline County, Eldorado
Measured: 0.75 in hail
Reported by: Public
Coordinates: 37.820, -88.430

Hail, Jackson

When: April 3, 7:24 PM CST
Where: Jackson County, 3.28 mi W of Murphysboro
Measured: 1.75 in hail
Reported by: Emergency Manager
Coordinates: 37.770, -89.390

Tornado, Union

When: April 3, 7:40 PM CST to 7:41 PM CST
Where: Union County, 2.44 mi SSW of Kaolin to 2.2 mi S of Kaolin
Rating: EF0
Path length: 0.27 mi
Path width: 50 yd
Property damage: $8,000
Reported by: NWS Storm Survey
Coordinates: 37.466, -89.310

Two barns sustained partial loss of roof and wall metal panels. Two individuals witnessed the tornado. The tornado occurred along Route 146 near the intersection of Route 127. Peak winds were estimated near 75 mph.

Tornado, Union

When: April 3, 7:52 PM CST to 7:59 PM CST
Where: Union County, 0.66 mi NNE of Western Saratoga to 0.71 mi SSE of Progress
Rating: EF0
Path length: 5.03 mi
Path width: 85 yd
Property damage: $7,000
Reported by: NWS Storm Survey
Coordinates: 37.509, -89.167

A storm damage survey conducted by National Weather Service meteorologists indicated mainly tree damage along the tornado path. There was loss of roofing material from an outbuilding. A few hardwood trees were uprooted. Branches were broken off. The tornado occurred on Shawnee National Forest property. Peak winds were estimated near 80 mph.

Tornado, Union

When: April 3, 8:00 PM CST to 8:06 PM CST
Where: Union County, 2 mi NW of Lick Creek to 1.27 mi E of Wayside
Rating: EF0
Path length: 3.18 mi
Path width: 75 yd
Property damage: $7,000
Reported by: NWS Storm Survey
Coordinates: 37.543, -89.092

A National Weather Service damage survey indicated only tree damage along the tornado path, which ran parallel to and just northwest of Interstate 57. The tornado occurred in wooded areas of national forest property. Branches were broken. Hardwood trees were uprooted near the end of the damage path. Peak winds were estimated near 80 mph.

Tornado, Williamson

When: April 3, 8:25 PM CST to 8:27 PM CST
Where: Williamson County, 1.41 mi NNE of Pulleys Mill to 2.16 mi NNE of Pulleys Mill
Rating: EF1
Path length: 0.77 mi
Path width: 50 yd
Property damage: $10,000
Reported by: NWS Storm Survey
Coordinates: 37.619, -88.891

Roofing from two barns was torn off. One hardwood tree was uprooted. Some branches were blown down. This small tornado occurred between Creal Springs and Lake of Egypt. Peak winds were estimated near 95 mph.

Hail, Perry

When: April 3, 8:26 PM CST
Where: Perry County, 5 mi E of Du Quoin
Measured: 1 in hail
Reported by: Trained Spotter
Coordinates: 38.020, -89.138

Hail, Franklin

When: April 3, 8:30 PM CST
Where: Franklin County, 1 mi S of Sesser
Measured: 0.88 in hail
Reported by: Trained Spotter
Coordinates: 38.086, -89.050

Flash Flood, Union

When: April 3, 8:33 PM CST to April 4, 3:00 AM CST
Where: Union County, 1 mi NW of Cobden to 0.81 mi NNE of Cobden
Cause: Heavy Rain
Property damage: $80,000
Reported by: Emergency Manager
Coordinates: 37.541, -89.262

Numerous vehicles were swept off the roadway. A home was flooded, with water as high as the electrical panel. One homeowner was rescued.

Funnel Cloud, Gallatin

When: April 3, 8:44 PM CST
Where: Gallatin County, 3 mi NE of Ridgway
Reported by: Emergency Manager
Coordinates: 37.811, -88.231

Flash Flood, Gallatin

When: April 3, 8:44 PM CST to April 4, 5:00 AM CST
Where: Gallatin County, 0.75 mi W of Omaha to 0.28 mi NNW of Omaha
Cause: Heavy Rain
Property damage: $2,000
Reported by: Emergency Manager
Coordinates: 37.881, -88.314

Major flash flooding was reported in the community. Highway 1 was under water.

Funnel Cloud, Johnson

When: April 3, 8:46 PM CST
Where: Johnson County, 1.14 mi E of New Burnside
Reported by: Trained Spotter
Coordinates: 37.579, -88.749

A large funnel cloud was reported one mile east of U.S. Highway 45.

Flash Flood, Saline

When: April 3, 9:00 PM CST to April 4, 5:00 AM CST
Where: Saline County, 1.25 mi NNW of Harrisburg to 0.56 mi NW of Eldorado
Cause: Heavy Rain
Property damage: $200,000
Reported by: Trained Spotter
Coordinates: 37.747, -88.559

Widespread flash flooding occurred in the cities of Harrisburg and Eldorado. Multiple streets were under water and residences were flooded in Harrisburg. Most of the flooding occurred on the southeast side of town. In Eldorado, vehicles were stranded and several homes were evacuated. Vehicle rescues were performed along U.S. Highway 45. Sections of Route 45 were under one to two feet of water. Several businesses received water damage.

Funnel Cloud, Johnson

When: April 3, 9:10 PM CST
Where: Johnson County, 1.35 mi W of Belknap
Reported by: Public
Coordinates: 37.317, -88.954

Flash Flood, Williamson

When: April 3, 9:13 PM CST to April 4, 5:00 AM CST
Where: Williamson County, 0.71 mi N of Scotsboro to 1.46 mi S of Scotsboro
Cause: Heavy Rain
Property damage: $5,000
Reported by: Trained Spotter
Coordinates: 37.740, -88.951

Major street flooding was reported in Marion. A large amount of running water was over some streets.

Hail, Jefferson

When: April 3, 9:49 PM CST
Where: Jefferson County, 2.34 mi NNW of Boyd
Measured: 0.88 in hail
Reported by: Trained Spotter
Coordinates: 38.450, -89.040

Thunderstorm Wind, Johnson

When: April 3, 10:28 PM CST
Where: Johnson County, Goreville
Measured: 52 kt (60 mph) estimated gust
Reported by: Trained Spotter
Coordinates: 37.550, -88.970

A trained spotter estimated winds gusted up to 60 mph.

Flood, Union

When: April 4, 3:00 AM CST to 6:00 PM CST
Where: Union County, Cobden to 2.19 mi W of Lick Creek
Cause: Heavy Rain
Reported by: Law Enforcement
Coordinates: 37.530, -89.250

Numerous roads remained underwater due to the heavy rain over the previous 24 hours.

Flood, Williamson

When: April 4, 5:00 AM CST to 6:00 PM CST
Where: Williamson County, Herrin to 2.24 mi ESE of Halfway
Cause: Heavy Rain
Reported by: Law Enforcement
Coordinates: 37.800, -89.030

Numerous roads remained underwater due to the heavy rain over the previous 24 hours.

Flood, Saline

When: April 4, 5:00 AM CST to 6:00 PM CST
Where: Saline County, Galatia to 2.84 mi NE of Carriers Mills
Cause: Heavy Rain
Property damage: $20,000
Reported by: Law Enforcement
Coordinates: 37.830, -88.620

As a result of heavy rain over the previous 24 hours, many roads were still underwater, including portions of U.S. Highway 45. Several vehicles were abandoned. Some homes were evacuated.

Flood, Wayne

When: April 4, 10:00 AM CST to April 7, 4:30 AM CST
Where: Wayne County, Wayne City to 1.1 mi N of Mayberry
Cause: Heavy Rain
Property damage: $10,000
Crop damage: $10,000
Reported by: River/Stream Gage
Coordinates: 38.350, -88.580

Major flooding occurred along the Skillet Fork River. At the Wayne City river gage, the river crested at 20.28 feet on the 5th. This crest was about one-half foot above the January, 2013 flood crest. Flood stage there is 15 feet, and major flooding begins at 20 feet. Numerous roads were flooded, a few of which were impassable. There was widespread flooding of low-lying fields and woodlands.

What these are

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.
Flash Flood: Flooding that begins within six hours of the rain that causes it, or of a dam or levee failure or ice jam release, often with deadly speed.
Hail: Hail three-quarters of an inch or larger, or smaller hail that caused damage, filed with the largest stone measured.
Funnel Cloud: A rotating column of cloud extending from a thunderstorm that did not reach the ground.
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.
Flood: Flooding that develops more slowly than a flash flood: rivers leaving their banks, or water standing over land for an extended time.

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

The same day elsewhere

Every storm in Illinois in 2014 Every state in 2014 This day in weather history The tornado archive for Illinois, 2014 Warnings in Illinois, April 2014

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: 504426, 508195, 508196, 508197, 508198, 508199, 508204, 504179, 504181, 504201, 504203, 504204, 504468, 504183, 504394, 508200, 504186, 508201, 504188, 508202, 504190, 508203, 504192, 504194, 508318, 508319, 508320, 509522.