A large complex of thunderstorms developed along a frontal boundary across Nebraska during the afternoon of June 3rd. These storms then tracked southeastward along the boundary into central Illinois during the late evening of June 3rd into the early morning hours of June 4th.
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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 episode as NWS ILX wrote it up.
A large complex of thunderstorms developed along a frontal boundary across Nebraska during the afternoon of June 3rd. These storms then tracked southeastward along the boundary into central Illinois during the late evening of June 3rd into the early morning hours of June 4th. Many of the storms produced damaging wind gusts of around 60 mph and heavy rain. Rainfall amounts were generally on the order of 1 to 2 inches, but some spots across central and eastern Illinois picked up as much as 4 inches.
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 Lincoln, IL wrote its last area forecast discussion before the first event at Jun 3, 10:40 PM CST, 15 minutes earlier.
Area Forecast Discussion National Weather Service Lincoln IL 1140 PM CDT Tue Jun 3 2014 .DISCUSSION... ISSUED 835 PM CDT Tue Jun 3 2014 Latest surface map showing frontal boundary roughly extending from Paris to just north of Springfield, before arcing northwest into southern Iowa. Intense convection developed as expected west of the Mississippi River, but has been trending a bit south of east with movement. Greatest focus for severe weather shifting a bit further south, with areas north of I-74 appearing to be less likely for severe weather. Short-range model solutions still struggling with the evolution, but have found the Hop-WRF model closest to the current activity. That model shows the east- southeast trend continuing with the focus more along the I-72 corridor, especially from Springfield westward which is roughly where the latest SPC Day1 moderate risk is located. Will adjust the PoP's in the grids and zones soon to reflect the latest trends. Geelhart && .AVIATION... ISSUED 1140 PM CDT Tue Jun 3 2014 Intense line of storms located in west central Illinois at 0430Z and will move east, potentially reaching KSPI shortly after 06Z with a close pass at KPIA around the same time. Quyestion will be how much this weakens, as it moves toward the east central Illinois TAF sites. Have lowered the gusts a bit as it reaches KCMI, but still looking at 30-40 knots at most TAF sites. Frontal boundary still projected to sink southward during the afternoon, with winds turning north and then northeast by evening. Geelhart && .PREV DISCUSSION... ISSUED 341 PM CDT Tue Jun 3 2014 Main concern is the potential for severe weather overnight and again tomorrow, the timing of the severe weather, and the potential for flash flooding during the event over the area. Models have trended north with the bulk of the pcpn during the overnight and tomorrow morning hours. However, based on the location and orientation of the sfc front, and the expected movement of large MCSs during the overnight hours, am expecting the storms and the resulting heavy rainfall to move southeast into central Illinois late tonight, so the axis of max qpf and severe weather should be south of the model forecasts. Models do continue to differ on the timing of the storms, so timing of the storms through the area is very uncertain. This timing will be highly dependent on the evolution of said storm complex during the late evening hours. SHORT TERM...Tonight through Friday Storms over northeastern Neb will continue to move east-southeast just along and north of the front into eastern Neb later this afternoon and into this evening. Additional storms will likely develop in the same general area around midnight as the low level jet sets up and intensifies ahead of the low press area coming out of eastern CO and into western KS and central Neb. As the complex of storms evolves into a larger MCS structure, the system should begin to move in an east to southeast direction and move across southern Iowa and into west central IL after midnight. Timing is hard to determine because these systems sometimes increase in forward speed as the cold pool behind the system becomes stronger and better defined. Am expecting a bow echo/linear type storm system to move into west central IL shortly after midnight and then move southeast through the area during the overnight and early morning hours. Main threat of severe weather with this system will be damaging winds and speeds could exceed 70mph. If the system is weaker as it moves through the area, the wind damage will probably be in pockets across the area. If the system, however, remains strong and is moving quickly, the damage will likely be more continuous and widespread. Hopefully by sometime later this evening, these details will be more obvious and can be included for a later forecast. In addition to the severe weather potential, there is also a threat of flash flooding. These MCSs can put down a lot of rain in a short period of time. These can lead to flash flooding very easily, especially in urban areas and low water crossings. The axis of the heaviest rain should be along I-74. Most of the rainfall will fall between 06z tonight and 00z tomorrow evening, with the highest amounts being in the 12hr period of 06z-18z. Amounts of 2.5 inches or more can be expected in that general corridor along I-74. A flash flood watch was considered, but there is still enough uncertainty with location and timing of the heaviest rainfall in the models, that decided not to issue one at this time. Later forecast shifts can look at it, plus will make sure heavy rainfall is mentioned in upcoming forecast. As the system moves quickly east, the tail end front will become parallel to the flow, which should end up being somewhere in southeast IL. Additional severe weather and heavy rainfall is possible along this front tomorrow through tomorrow afternoon. Then the front should slide south of the area leaving the rest of the short term period dry...Thur through Fri. Temps will be begin to cool tomorrow as the complex moves through the area. Then the temps will be cooler for Thur and Fri after the front moves south of the area and a high press ridge moves into the Grt Lks region, giving northeast winds. LONG TERM...Friday night through Tuesday Another weather system will move toward the area Fri night and bring more thunderstorms to the area for Sat through Sunday. Models differ on timing and location of the pcpn, so will just keep the chance pops in for most of the period, except for Sat night, when all the models agree that pcpn will be occurring. Dry weather is then expected Sun night through Mon night, before another weather system moves into the area for Tue. Afternoon highs will remain in the 70s through the extended period. Auten && .ILX WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES... NONE. &&
HAZARDOUS WEATHER OUTLOOK NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE LINCOLN IL 323 PM CDT TUE JUN 3 2014 ILZ027>031-036>038-040>043-047>051-041100- CASS-DE WITT-FULTON-KNOX-LOGAN-MARSHALL-MASON-MCLEAN-MENARD- MORGAN-PEORIA-SANGAMON-SCHUYLER-SCOTT-STARK-TAZEWELL-WOODFORD- 323 PM CDT TUE JUN 3 2014 THIS HAZARDOUS WEATHER OUTLOOK IS FOR PORTIONS OF CENTRAL ILLINOIS. .DAY ONE...TONIGHT A LARGE COMPLEX OF THUNDERSTORMS CURRENTLY OVER NEBRASKA AND WESTERN IOWA WILL TRACK SOUTHEASTWARD INTO CENTRAL ILLINOIS TONIGHT. THE STORMS WILL ARRIVE IN THE ILLINOIS RIVER VALLEY AROUND MIDNIGHT...THEN WILL SPREAD TO THE INDIANA BORDER TOWARD DAYBREAK. DAMAGING WINDS IN EXCESS OF 70 MPH AND HEAVY RAINFALL WILL BE LIKELY. FLASH FLOODING WILL BE POSSIBLE IN LOW-LYING AND POOR DRAINAGE AREAS. .DAYS TWO THROUGH SEVEN...WEDNESDAY THROUGH MONDAY THE NEXT ORGANIZED CHANCE FOR THUNDERSTORMS IS EXPECTED BY SATURDAY AND SUNDAY. THE THREAT FOR SEVERE STORMS IS UNCLEAR AT THIS TIME. .SPOTTER INFORMATION STATEMENT... SPOTTER ACTIVATION MAY BE NEEDED BETWEEN MIDNIGHT TONIGHT AND 6 AM WEDNESDAY. ILZ044>046-052>057-061>063-066>068-071>073-041100- CHAMPAIGN-CHRISTIAN-CLARK-CLAY-COLES-CRAWFORD-CUMBERLAND-DOUGLAS- EDGAR-EFFINGHAM-JASPER-LAWRENCE-MACON-MOULTRIE-PIATT-RICHLAND- SHELBY-VERMILION- 323 PM CDT TUE JUN 3 2014 THIS HAZARDOUS WEATHER OUTLOOK IS FOR PORTIONS OF CENTRAL ILLINOIS...EAST CENTRAL ILLINOIS AND SOUTHEAST ILLINOIS. .DAY ONE...TONIGHT A LARGE COMPLEX OF THUNDERSTORMS CURRENTLY OVER NEBRASKA AND WESTERN IOWA WILL TRACK SOUTHEASTWARD INTO CENTRAL ILLINOIS TONIGHT. WHILE THE STORMS MAY TEND TO WEAKEN SOMEWHAT AS THEY REACH EAST-CENTRAL AND SOUTHEAST ILLINOIS TOWARD DAYBREAK...THEY WILL STILL BE CAPABLE OF PRODUCING STRONG WINDS AND HEAVY RAINFALL. .DAYS TWO THROUGH SEVEN...WEDNESDAY THROUGH MONDAY ADDITIONAL STRONG TO SEVERE STORMS MAY RE-DEVELOP WEDNESDAY AFTERNOON ALONG THE OUTFLOW BOUNDARY LEFT BEHIND BY THE MORNING CONVECTION. AT THIS TIME...IT APPEARS THE GREATEST CHANCE FOR SEVERE WEATHER WILL DEVELOP ALONG AND SOUTH OF I-70...WHERE LARGE HAIL...DAMAGING WIND GUSTS...AND ISOLATED TORNADOES WILL BE POSSIBLE. .SPOTTER INFORMATION STATEMENT... SPOTTER ACTIVATION MAY BE NEEDED BETWEEN 3 AM AND 9 AM LATE TONIGHT INTO WEDNESDAY MORNING. SPOTTER ACTIVATION MAY AGAIN BE NEEDED WEDNESDAY AFTERNOON AND EVENING. BARNES
SPECIAL WEATHER STATEMENT NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE LINCOLN IL 1048 PM CDT TUE JUN 3 2014 ILZ036-040-041-047>051-040500- FULTON-SCHUYLER-MASON-CASS-MENARD-SCOTT-MORGAN-SANGAMON- INCLUDING THE CITIES OF...HAVANA...JACKSONVILLE...SPRINGFIELD 1048 PM CDT TUE JUN 3 2014 ...INTENSE THUNDERSTORMS MOVING INTO WEST CENTRAL ILLINOIS... AT 1045 PM...DOPPLER RADAR SHOWED A LINE OF SEVERE THUNDERSTORMS MOVING INTO WEST CENTRAL ILLINOIS...FROM QUINCY NORTHWARD TO THE IOWA BORDER. THESE STORMS ARE MOVING EAST-SOUTHEAST AT 35 MPH. ON THEIR CURRENT TRAJECTORY...THEY WOULD REACH AREAS AROUND RUSHVILLE AND BEARDSTOWN AROUND MIDNIGHT...JACKSONVILLE AROUND 1230 AM...AND SPRINGFIELD SHORTLY AFTER 1 AM. THESE STORMS HAVE A HISTORY OF PRODUCING DAMAGING WINDS ACROSS NORTHEAST MISSOURI. THEY ALSO HAVE INTENSE CLOUD TO GROUND LIGHTNING...AND WILL BE CAPABLE OF DROPPING 1 TO 3 INCHES OF RAIN IN A SHORT PERIOD OF TIME. IF YOU ARE IN THE PATH OF THESE STORMS...BE SURE TO GET TO A SAFE SHELTER BEFORE THE STORMS ARRIVE. GEELHART
The Lincoln radar (KILX), 102 km away, was scanning. The volume nearest the first event began at 04:56 UTC.
15 thunderstorm wind, 9 flash flood. Local standard time, as filed.
Three trees were blown down on Pokeberry Road about 2 miles northeast of Rushville. One of the trees fell on an unoccupied van.
A roof was blown off a building at 665 S. West Street. Minor roof damage was reported to 12 houses and 2 garages. Numerous tree branches were blown down from the corner of Lincoln and Morton to College, then east to Clay and south to Morton. Several trees and power lines were blown down around town.
Several tree branches and power lines were blown down.
A large tree was snapped off at the base.
A large tree and a power line were blown down.
The top of a pine tree was broken off on Old Jacksonville Road.
A large tree was blown down.
Heavy rainfall, with accumulations of 2.50 to 3.50 in one hour resulted in flash flooding in Springfield and adjacent areas. Numerous streets and viaducts were closed due to the flooding, several vehicles were stranded and water rescues were made by first responders.
A 2.5-foot diameter tree was blown down in Latham. Forty 1 to 1.5-foot diameter trees were split and numerous tree branches were blown down around town. Several garages were damaged by falling branches.
A large tree was blown down at the junction of Kenney Road and Duroc Road.
Power lines were blown down and the Township Shed was damaged off the Route 51 bypass north of Clinton.
Trees and power lines were blown down at the intersection of Route 48 and Route 54 southwest of Farmer City.
Several trees were blown down.
A large tree was split at the base.
A tree was blown down at the intersection of University and Clark.
Heavy rain accumulation of 2.00 to 3.00 in one hour resulted in flash flooding of rural areas in southwest Piatt County. Streets in Cerro Gordo were flooded, as were parts of Illinois Route 32 and 105. Numerous rural roads were impassable in rural Piatt County. The flooding subsided rapidly before daybreak.
Heavy rain accumulation of 2.00 to 3.00 in one hour resulted in flash flooding of rural areas in northern Moultrie County. Streets in Lovington and Lake City were flooded, as were parts of Illinois Route 32 and 133. Numerous rural roads were impassable in rural Moultrie County. The flooding subsided rapidly before daybreak.
Heavy rain accumulation of 2.00 to 3.00 in one hour resulted in flash flooding around the city of Decatur as well as rural areas toward Piatt and Moultrie County. A large part of Main Street in Decatur was closed for two hours due to the flooding. Numerous rural roads were impassable in rural Macon County. The flooding subsided rapidly before daybreak.
Heavy rain accumulation of 1.50 to 3.00 in one hour resulted in flash flooding in northern Clark County. Streets in Marshall were flooded, as were parts of Illinois Route 1 and U.S. Highway 40. Numerous rural roads were impassable in rural Clark County, especially along and south of I-70. The flooding subsided rapidly before daybreak.
Heavy rain accumulation of 2.00 to 3.00 in one hour resulted in flash flooding of mainly rural areas in northeast Coles County. Streets in Oakland were flooded. Numerous rural roads were impassable in rural northeast Coles County between Oakland and Ashmore. The flooding subsided rapidly before daybreak.
Heavy rain accumulation of 2.00 to 3.00 in one hour resulted in flash flooding of mainly rural areas in extreme western Edgar County. Numerous rural roads were impassable and standing water was reported around the intersection of Illinois Routes 33 and 49. The flooding subsided rapidly before daybreak.
Numerous tree branches and power lines were blown down, causing a power outage to much of the town for several hours. A few 8 to 10-inch diameter trees were uprooted.
Heavy rain accumulation of 2.50 to 4.00 in two hours resulted in flash flooding of northern Scott County. Streets in the town of Bluffs were flooded, as was Illinois Route 100 from just north of I-72 through Bluffs. In addition, standing water was reported on I-72 near the Scott - Pike County line. Numerous rural roads were impassable in rural northern Scott County. The flooding subsided rapidly around daybreak.
Heavy rain accumulation of 2.50 to 4.00 in two hours resulted in flash flooding of northwest Morgan County. Numerous rural roads were impassable in rural northwest Morgan County, as were parts of U.S. Highway 67 and Illinois Route 100 northwest of the town of Bethel. The flooding subsided rapidly around daybreak.
After NWS Directive 10-1605, the rules offices file Storm Data by.
Every storm in Illinois in 2014Every state in 2014This day in weather historyWarnings in Illinois, June 2014
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: 527000, 526998, 527001, 527004, 527002, 527003, 527005, 531300, 527012, 527006, 527007, 527010, 527011, 527014, 527008, 531305, 531307, 531302, 531312, 531315, 531319, 527017, 531323, 531329.