Tornadoes and Flash Flooding in Illinois, April 17, 2026

Name: Tornadoes and Flash Flooding in Illinois, April 17, 2026
Start: 2026-04-17T13:38
End: 2026-04-17T19:14
Location: Illinois

April 17, 2026 · NWS DVN · 57 events in 11 counties and zones

Numerous severe storms tracked across eastern IA, northwest IL, and northeast MO during the afternoon and evening of April 17. Widespread wind gusts between 60-80 mph (isolated 80-100 mph), large hail up to teacup size, and several tornadoes were reported.

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: None recorded
Crop damage: None recorded
Events: 57

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.

The most significant damage occurred in Lena, IL where many homes and outbuildings were damaged, trees uprooted, and power lines downed by an EF2 tornado. Very strong straight-line winds also were documented in parts of the area.

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 Quad Cities, IA wrote its last area forecast discussion before the first event at Apr 17, 12:11 PM CST, 1 hour 27 minutes earlier. Its key messages:

A strong storm system will bring the threat for severe storms once again to our area through this evening. SPC continues to highlight nearly our entire area in an Enhanced Risk (level 3 of 5) for severe weather.
A flood watch has been issued for much of the area through tonight for the potential of excessive rainfall with the final round of storms this afternoon/tonight. Soils across the area are saturated north of I-80 and very moist south of I-80.
Much cooler conditions are expected this weekend. Unseasonably cool temperatures in the 30s Saturday night and Sunday night will bring the potential for frost/freeze, especially in our north.
Area rivers are on the rise from the recent rounds of heavy rain, and heavy rainfall later today may push them even higher. Refer to the hydro section below for more details.

Area forecast discussion, Apr 17, 12:11 PM CST, 1 hour 27 minutes before

Area Forecast Discussion
National Weather Service Quad Cities IA IL
111 PM CDT Fri Apr 17 2026

.KEY MESSAGES...

- A strong storm system will bring the threat for severe storms
  once again to our area through this evening. SPC continues to
  highlight nearly our entire area in an Enhanced Risk (level 3
  of 5) for severe weather.

- A flood watch has been issued for much of the area through
  tonight for the potential of excessive rainfall with the final
  round of storms this afternoon/tonight. Soils across the area
  are saturated north of I-80 and very moist south of I-80.

- Much cooler conditions are expected this weekend. Unseasonably cool
  temperatures in the 30s Saturday night and Sunday night will
  bring the potential for frost/freeze, especially in our north.

- Area rivers are on the rise from the recent rounds of heavy
  rain, and heavy rainfall later today may push them even
  higher. Refer to the hydro section below for more details.

&&

.SHORT TERM /THROUGH TONIGHT/...
Issued at 1252 PM CDT Fri Apr 17 2026

Convective initiation has occurred across eastern Iowa. The
individual discrete cells will rapidly grow upscale into one or
more broken lines ahead of the cold front.

The atmosphere is becoming increasingly moist so the storms will
have plenty of fuel to produce heavy rainfall. The axis for the
heavier rain is somewhat narrow but rainfall amounts of an inch
in an hour will be possible with the stronger storms. Where
storms linger or repeat over the same areas, rainfall amounts
of 2 to 3 inches in a short time will be possible.

The pre-frontal line(s) of storms look to push east of the
Mississippi in the 6-8 PM time frame with the cold front
arriving during the mid to late evening hours. Very short range
models which had been pointing to a solid line of storms with
the front are now trending toward a scattered to broken line
with not much thunder associated with it. This 'may' be an
indication the convective allowing models are struggling with
the overall forcing from the upper level system.

The bulk of the rain looks to end across the area by midnight
but scattered rain showers along and immediately behind the
front will linger past midnight. However, the overall trend will
be decreasing areal coverage from west to east after midnight.

&&

.LONG TERM /SATURDAY THROUGH THURSDAY/...
Issued at 306 AM CDT Fri Apr 17 2026

Much colder air will continue to move into the area for the weekend
as a northwest flow pattern develops aloft. An area of high pressure
will build into the area Saturday night, which could set up our
first bout of frost/freeze conditions during the growing season.
There does appear to be a mid-level trough sweeping through the area
Saturday night, which could result in some cloud cover that could
keep our temperatures from falling too much, limiting our
frost/freeze potential. Despite this, the NBM probabilities of
freezing temperatures Saturday night are still around 50-80% along
and north of Interstate 80. Another night of frost/freeze conditions
are possible Sunday night as well, with similar exceedance
probabilities for freezing temperatures.

A quieter weather pattern will persist into early next week as a
broad upper ridge remains in place through the central US. A larger
trough begins to take shape across the western US into the latter
portion of the week. Therefore, some warming and a move toward some
smaller precipitation chances (20-40%) start to return to the area
by Thursday with a larger storm system potentially nearing the
region for Friday.

&&

.AVIATION /18Z TAFS THROUGH 18Z SATURDAY/...
Issued at 1225 PM CDT Fri Apr 17 2026

Convective initiation has begun over eastern Iowa with surface
winds gusting to 30 knots. Very short range models indicate
rapid upscale growth of TSRA through 00z/18. Discrete TSRA cells
will grow upscale into a line that congeals along the
Mississippi River by 00z/18. Based on forecast soundings,
probability is high for wind gusts over 50 knots with the
discrete cells and as the line forms. By 06z/18 the cold front
will have swept through the area with widespread MVFR conditions
and winds gusting up to 25 knots.

&&

.HYDROLOGY...
Issued at 1136 AM CDT Thu Apr 16 2026

Discussion...

Over the past five days, multiple rounds of heavy rain have
impacted eastern Iowa, northern Illinois and southern Wisconsin.
Rainfall amounts have run from 2 to 5 inches of rain; much of
this rain has been north of Highway 30.

Another round of heavy rain is forecast this afternoon and
evening with amounts running from a half inch to around 1.5
inches. With area soils running from moist to near saturation,
this additional rainfall will quickly run off into area
waterways resulting in new or increased river flooding along
with the potential for flash flooding.

Much of this rain is forecast to fall across southeast Iowa,
west central Illinois and into northern Illinois. River basins
impacted would be the Rock, lower Iowa, Skunk, Des Moines and La
Moine.

Rock River...

Based on overall river forecasts and another round of heavy rain
expected today, confidence is high (>80%) that the entire
length of the Rock River will reach flood stage by the weekend
and remain above flood stage into much of next week.

Mississippi River...

Routed flow coming down from the upper Mississippi, Wisconsin,
Rock, Iowa and other tributary rivers will cause general rises
along the length of the Mississippi. Based on the current routed
flow and another round of heavy rain, confidence is high (>80%)
that the Mississippi will reach flood stage from Muscatine down
through Keithsburg and at Gregory Landing. Gladstone and
Burlington are already above flood stage and will see additional
rises as the additional routed flow arrives over the weekend
and into next week.

Iowa Tributary Rivers...

Rivers in eastern Iowa are running high from the rounds of heavy
rain. Flood warnings continue for the lower Wapsipinicon River
near DeWitt and the Iowa River above Coralville near Marengo.
Based on routed flow, the lower Cedar River near Conesville will
go above flood stage over the weekend.

The North Skunk River near Sigourney is forecast to go above
flood stage tonight with general rises expected farther
downstream and on the Skunk River.

&&

.DVN WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES...
IA...Flood Watch through late tonight for IAZ040>042-052>054-
     064>068-077-078-088-089-099.
IL...Flood Watch through late tonight for ILZ001-002-007-009-
     015>018-024>026-034-035.
MO...Flood Watch through late tonight for MOZ010.

&&

SHORT TERM...08
LONG TERM...Schultz
AVIATION...08
HYDROLOGY...08

Hazardous weather outlook, Apr 17, 2:23 AM CST, 11 hours 15 minutes before

Hazardous Weather Outlook
National Weather Service Quad Cities IA IL
323 AM CDT Fri Apr 17 2026

IAZ040>042-051>054-063>068-076>078-087>089-098-099-ILZ001-002-007-
009-015>018-024>026-034-035-MOZ009-010-180900-
Buchanan-Delaware-Dubuque-Benton-Linn-Jones-Jackson-Iowa-Johnson-
Cedar-Clinton-Muscatine-Scott-Keokuk-Washington-Louisa-Jefferson-
Henry IA-Des Moines-Van Buren-Lee-Jo Daviess-Stephenson-Carroll-
Whiteside-Rock Island-Henry IL-Bureau-Putnam-Mercer-Henderson-
Warren-Hancock-McDonough-Scotland-Clark-
323 AM CDT Fri Apr 17 2026

This Hazardous Weather Outlook is for portions of north central
Illinois...northwest Illinois...west central Illinois...east
central Iowa...northeast Iowa...southeast Iowa and northeast
Missouri.

.DAY ONE...TODAY AND TONIGHT

An Enhanced Risk (Level 3 of 5) for severe weather remains in
place across the area for this afternoon and evening. Damaging
winds and tornadoes, some possibly strong, are the primary
threats. Localized flash flooding is also possible.

Southerly winds will gust to around 40 mph this afternoon prior to
the severe thunderstorm development.

Area rivers are experiencing flooding. Please see the latest Flood
Statements and Flood Warnings for details.

.DAYS TWO THROUGH SEVEN...SATURDAY THROUGH THURSDAY

Much colder air will bring the potential for frost and freeze
conditions to parts of the area Saturday night and Sunday night.

.SPOTTER INFORMATION STATEMENT...

Spotter activation is likely for this afternoon and evening.

JTS

The radar

The Quad Cities radar (KDVN), 94 km away, was scanning. The volume nearest the first event began at 19:37 UTC.

Open the radar archive at this moment

Event by event

23 hail, 23 thunderstorm wind, 8 tornado, 3 flash flood. Local standard time, as filed.

Flash Flood, Jo Daviess

When: April 17, 1:38 PM CST to 2:38 PM CST
Where: Jo Daviess County, 2.76 mi N of Menominee to 2.82 mi N of Menominee
Cause: Heavy Rain
Reported by: Public
Coordinates: 42.460, -90.530

First report of flash flooding, from Mping.

Tornado, Jo Daviess

When: April 17, 1:47 PM CST to 1:54 PM CST
Where: Jo Daviess County, 2.07 mi S of Guilford to 4.13 mi ESE of Guilford
Rating: EF1
Path length: 3.7 mi
Path width: 100 yd
Reported by: NWS Storm Survey
Coordinates: 42.390, -90.300

EF1 tornado with max winds speed of 90-95 mph begun just east of the Galena Territories causing damage to the awning of house. The tornado then caused sporadic tree damage along it's 3.7 mile long path. Of interesting note, the tornado mainly caused damage in the valley areas where stretching of the vortex likely increased wind speeds.

Flash Flood, Jo Daviess

When: April 17, 1:49 PM CST to 2:49 PM CST
Where: Jo Daviess County, 0.69 mi S of Galena to 0.38 mi S of Galena
Cause: Heavy Rain
Reported by: Public
Coordinates: 42.410, -90.420

Reported from Mping.

Hail, Jo Daviess

When: April 17, 1:51 PM CST
Where: Jo Daviess County, 0.86 mi SE of Galena
Measured: 1.25 in hail
Reported by: Public
Coordinates: 42.410, -90.410

Reported from Mping.

Hail, Jo Daviess

When: April 17, 1:52 PM CST
Where: Jo Daviess County, 1.68 mi ESE of Galena
Measured: 1.5 in hail
Reported by: Public
Coordinates: 42.410, -90.390

Reported on Mping.

Hail, Jo Daviess

When: April 17, 1:54 PM CST
Where: Jo Daviess County, 2.91 mi SE of Galena
Measured: 1.5 in hail
Reported by: Public
Coordinates: 42.390, -90.380

Reported on Mping.

Hail, Jo Daviess

When: April 17, 1:55 PM CST
Where: Jo Daviess County, 1.23 mi SW of Rice
Measured: 1.75 in hail
Reported by: Trained Spotter
Coordinates: 42.320, -90.400

Hail, Jo Daviess

When: April 17, 1:57 PM CST
Where: Jo Daviess County, 2.81 mi N of Rodden
Measured: 1.75 in hail
Reported by: Public
Coordinates: 42.370, -90.330

Reported on Mping.

Hail, Jo Daviess

When: April 17, 1:57 PM CST
Where: Jo Daviess County, 2.95 mi NNW of Rodden
Measured: 1.75 in hail
Reported by: Public
Coordinates: 42.370, -90.340

Reported on Mping.

Hail, Jo Daviess

When: April 17, 1:59 PM CST
Where: Jo Daviess County, 2.07 mi N of Rodden
Measured: 1.75 in hail
Reported by: Public
Coordinates: 42.360, -90.320

Reported on Mping.

Hail, Jo Daviess

When: April 17, 2:00 PM CST
Where: Jo Daviess County, 1.47 mi SSW of Guilford
Measured: 1 in hail
Reported by: Public
Coordinates: 42.400, -90.310

Reported on Mping.

Thunderstorm Wind, Jo Daviess

When: April 17, 2:00 PM CST
Where: Jo Daviess County, 0.86 mi NW of Galena
Measured: 50 kt (58 mph) estimated gust
Reported by: Public
Coordinates: 42.430, -90.430

Several tree branches down between 2 and 4 inches in diameter.

Hail, Jo Daviess

When: April 17, 2:01 PM CST
Where: Jo Daviess County, 1.68 mi ENE of Rodden
Measured: 1.75 in hail
Reported by: Public
Coordinates: 42.340, -90.290

Reported on Mping.

Hail, Jo Daviess

When: April 17, 2:05 PM CST
Where: Jo Daviess County, 0.51 mi E of Hanover
Measured: 1.5 in hail
Reported by: Trained Spotter
Coordinates: 42.250, -90.270

Hail, Jo Daviess

When: April 17, 2:13 PM CST
Where: Jo Daviess County, 0.69 mi S of Elizabeth
Measured: 1.75 in hail
Reported by: Trained Spotter
Coordinates: 42.310, -90.220

Thunderstorm Wind, Jo Daviess

When: April 17, 2:26 PM CST
Where: Jo Daviess County, 1.47 mi SSW of Warren
Measured: 61 kt (70 mph) estimated gust
Reported by: Trained Spotter
Coordinates: 42.480, -89.990

Winds were out of the west.

Hail, Jo Daviess

When: April 17, 2:30 PM CST
Where: Jo Daviess County, Elizabeth
Measured: 1.25 in hail
Reported by: Trained Spotter
Coordinates: 42.320, -90.220

Tornado, Stephenson

When: April 17, 2:36 PM CST to 3:03 PM CST
Where: Stephenson County, 2.91 mi SW of Lena to 1.47 mi NNW of Buena Vista
Rating: EF2
Path length: 12.54 mi
Path width: 1,250 yd
Reported by: NWS Storm Survey
Coordinates: 42.350, -89.870

A high-end EF2, possible multi-vortex, tornado with estimated peak winds around 130 mph started along Highway 20, southwest of Lena IL, and tracked through Lena before lifting just southwest of Orangeville. The tornado caused significant damage to trees along its path, including uprooting and snapping trees. When the tornado begun it immediately caused EF1 damage to trees, gaining strength to an EF2 tornado snapping many power poles southwest of Lena. The tornado turned to the right, into town causing a lot of roof damage and tree damage. A lot of houses had shingle and siding damage. The most significant damage occurred on Grove Street, where three houses lost their entire roof structure. Two of the homes experienced partial exterior wall collapses. Damage in this area is consistent with 130 MPH winds. In Lena, the damage footprint in Lena is approximately 1250 yards wide. As the tornado moved to the northeast, damage to farm structures was noted. Even towards the end of the path, the tornado was causing EF1 damage to trees.

Flash Flood, Jo Daviess

When: April 17, 2:45 PM CST to 3:45 PM CST
Where: Jo Daviess County, 0.86 mi SW of Galena to 1.15 mi SSW of Galena
Cause: Heavy Rain
Reported by: Public
Coordinates: 42.410, -90.430

Davis Creek on the southeast side of Galena is out of its banks near 4th and Blackjack Road. 6 feet higher than normal. water running across the road.

Thunderstorm Wind, Jo Daviess

When: April 17, 2:49 PM CST
Where: Jo Daviess County, 3.49 mi N of Stockton
Measured: 70 kt (81 mph) estimated gust
Reported by: Trained Spotter
Coordinates: 42.400, -89.990

A 3 foot diameter tree blown down.

Hail, Jo Daviess

When: April 17, 2:50 PM CST
Where: Jo Daviess County, 0.86 mi SW of Nora
Measured: 1 in hail
Reported by: Trained Spotter
Coordinates: 42.440, -89.940

The time was estimated from radar data.

Hail, Stephenson

When: April 17, 3:18 PM CST
Where: Stephenson County, 1.23 mi SE of Rock Grove
Measured: 1.75 in hail
Reported by: Public
Coordinates: 42.460, -89.480

Report received from Mping.

Hail, Stephenson

When: April 17, 3:24 PM CST
Where: Stephenson County, Dakota Dornink Arpt
Measured: 3 in hail
Reported by: Public
Coordinates: 42.380, -89.570

Report received from Mping.

Hail, Stephenson

When: April 17, 3:24 PM CST
Where: Stephenson County, 0.86 mi NW of Dakota
Measured: 1.75 in hail
Reported by: Trained Spotter
Coordinates: 42.390, -89.530

Hail, Stephenson

When: April 17, 3:25 PM CST
Where: Stephenson County, 1.23 mi SW of Winneshiek
Measured: 1 in hail
Reported by: Public
Coordinates: 42.320, -89.570

Report received from Mping.

Hail, Stephenson

When: April 17, 3:26 PM CST
Where: Stephenson County, 1.23 mi NE of Winneshiek
Measured: 1 in hail
Reported by: Public
Coordinates: 42.340, -89.530

Report received from Mping.

Hail, Stephenson

When: April 17, 3:29 PM CST
Where: Stephenson County, 1.23 mi NE of Winneshiek
Measured: 1.75 in hail
Reported by: Public
Coordinates: 42.340, -89.530

Report received from Mping.

Hail, Jo Daviess

When: April 17, 3:32 PM CST
Where: Jo Daviess County, 3.49 mi N of Stockton
Measured: 1 in hail
Reported by: Public
Coordinates: 42.400, -89.990

Photos on social media.

Hail, Stephenson

When: April 17, 3:40 PM CST
Where: Stephenson County, Lake Summerset
Measured: 2 in hail
Reported by: NWS Employee
Coordinates: 42.450, -89.400

Hail, Stephenson

When: April 17, 3:45 PM CST
Where: Stephenson County, 0.86 mi NW of Dakota
Measured: 2.75 in hail
Reported by: Public
Coordinates: 42.390, -89.530

Relayed by Chicago NWS Office, with a photo of baseball size hail.

Thunderstorm Wind, Mercer

When: April 17, 5:13 PM CST
Where: Mercer County, New Boston
Measured: 52 kt (60 mph) estimated gust
Reported by: Trained Spotter
Coordinates: 41.170, -91.000

Multiple downed tree branches, up to 3 inches in diameter. Porta-potty blown over. The time was estimated from radar data.

Thunderstorm Wind, Hancock

When: April 17, 5:18 PM CST
Where: Hancock County, 1.48 mi SSE of Dallas City
Measured: 55 kt (63 mph) measured gust
Reported by: Mesonet
Coordinates: 40.610, -91.160

Thunderstorm Wind, Carroll

When: April 17, 5:28 PM CST
Where: Carroll County, 5.62 mi N of Lanark
Measured: 50 kt (58 mph) measured gust
Reported by: Mesonet
Coordinates: 42.180, -89.850

Thunderstorm Wind, Warren

When: April 17, 5:40 PM CST
Where: Warren County, 1.38 mi S of Eleanor
Measured: 52 kt (60 mph) estimated gust
Reported by: Trained Spotter
Coordinates: 40.960, -90.700

Estimated 60 mph winds winds with tree limb damage. The time was estimated from radar data.

Tornado, Mercer

When: April 17, 5:40 PM CST to 5:42 PM CST
Where: Mercer County, 1.04 mi W of Viola to 0.69 mi N of Viola
Rating: EF0
Path length: 0.95 mi
Path width: 50 yd
Reported by: NWS Storm Survey
Coordinates: 41.200, -90.600

A brief EF0 tornado passed through Viola, IL, with maximum winds around 85 mph. Much of the damage noted along the short path was done to trees, uprooting and snapping some, with tree tops also sheared off others. Some structural damage was noted in town, where half of a house roof was uplifted with insulation scattered along the tornado path. Damage was also done to the north side of a business's brick facade.

Hail, Bureau

When: April 17, 5:45 PM CST
Where: Bureau County, Buda
Measured: 1.75 in hail
Reported by: Public
Coordinates: 41.330, -89.680

The time was estimated from radar data.

Thunderstorm Wind, Bureau

When: April 17, 5:47 PM CST
Where: Bureau County, 1.25 mi ENE of Sheffield
Measured: 65 kt (75 mph) estimated gust
Reported by: Emergency Manager
Coordinates: 41.360, -89.710

A power pole was broken.

Thunderstorm Wind, Hancock

When: April 17, 5:54 PM CST
Where: Hancock County, Basco
Measured: 74 kt (85 mph) estimated gust
Reported by: NWS Storm Survey
Coordinates: 40.330, -91.200

Home damaged and 3 power poles leaned over.

Thunderstorm Wind, Whiteside

When: April 17, 5:54 PM CST
Where: Whiteside County, 1.24 mi NW of Union Grove
Measured: 53 kt (61 mph) measured gust
Reported by: Mesonet
Coordinates: 41.840, -90.040

Tornado, Hancock

When: April 17, 5:55 PM CST to 6:03 PM CST
Where: Hancock County, 1.74 mi NE of West Pt to 1.26 mi ESE of Bently
Rating: EF1
Path length: 5.67 mi
Path width: 150 yd
Reported by: NWS Storm Survey
Coordinates: 40.270, -91.160

A high-end EF1 tornado developed southwest of Denver IL and tracked through town. Through the path of the tornado, there were dozens of utility poles damaged. When factoring in the rear flank downdraft (RFD), over 50 poles were broken or bent. Many trees were snapped, some in Denver with high concentration. Some structural damage was also seen, largely to facades, windows, and roofs in Denver.

Thunderstorm Wind, Hancock

When: April 17, 5:59 PM CST
Where: Hancock County, Denver
Measured: 70 kt (81 mph) estimated gust
Reported by: Public
Coordinates: 40.280, -91.100

Farm equipment blown into a ditch. Time was estimated from radar data.

Thunderstorm Wind, Hancock

When: April 17, 5:59 PM CST
Where: Hancock County, 2.95 mi SE of Hamilton
Measured: 50 kt (58 mph) measured gust
Reported by: Mesonet
Coordinates: 40.370, -91.310

Thunderstorm Wind, Henry

When: April 17, 5:59 PM CST
Where: Henry County, 4.2 mi E of Green River
Measured: 57 kt (66 mph) measured gust
Reported by: Mesonet
Coordinates: 41.460, -90.240

Thunderstorm Wind, Hancock

When: April 17, 6:00 PM CST
Where: Hancock County, 2.22 mi ENE of Denver
Measured: 65 kt (75 mph) estimated gust
Reported by: NWS Storm Survey
Coordinates: 40.290, -91.060

Tree limbs snapped and a sheet metal roof blown off a shed. The time was estimated from radar data.

Tornado, Henry

When: April 17, 6:04 PM CST to 6:07 PM CST
Where: Henry County, 6.82 mi W of Hooppole to 6.67 mi W of Hooppole
Rating: EF1
Path length: 0.25 mi
Path width: 50 yd
Reported by: NWS Storm Survey
Coordinates: 41.569, -90.052

A short lived EF1 tornado with estimated max winds around 100 impacted a farmstead in far northern Henry County Illinois, with max width around 50 yards. Damage was largely noted to a couple of farm outbuildings and some minor tree damage.

Thunderstorm Wind, McDonough

When: April 17, 6:12 PM CST
Where: McDonough County, 0.53 mi E of Colmar
Measured: 83 kt (96 mph) estimated gust
Reported by: NWS Storm Survey
Coordinates: 40.350, -90.890

A large grain elevator destroyed damaging nearby train gates.

Thunderstorm Wind, McDonough

When: April 17, 6:12 PM CST
Where: McDonough County, 4.18 mi S of Colmar
Measured: 61 kt (70 mph) estimated gust
Reported by: Trained Spotter
Coordinates: 40.290, -90.910

A tree was blown down.

Tornado, Hancock

When: April 17, 6:13 PM CST to 6:21 PM CST
Where: Hancock County, 2.1 mi NW of St Mary to 4.36 mi E of St Mary
Rating: EF1
Path length: 6 mi
Path width: 75 yd
Reported by: NWS Storm Survey
Coordinates: 40.370, -90.960

An EF-1 tornado starting in Hancock County tracked east-southeast before turning east through western McDonough County. It tracked just north of Colmar. Along the path was concentrated tree snapping, many at the base, and some uprooted. Structural damage was noted at several outbuildings, including one destroyed. Several power poles were snapped or heavily leaning on the nearby railroad track.

Thunderstorm Wind, McDonough

When: April 17, 6:15 PM CST to 6:31 PM CST
Where: McDonough County, 1.16 mi SE of Colmar to 1.26 mi WNW of Industry
Measured: 87 kt (100 mph) estimated gust
Reported by: NWS Storm Survey
Coordinates: 40.336, -90.887

Power poles down in a wide swath east of Colmar to northwest of Industry. Swath of 80-100 mph wind gusts, with a lot of damage to trees, power poles, grain bins, and other structures.

Thunderstorm Wind, McDonough

When: April 17, 6:20 PM CST
Where: McDonough County, 0.53 mi E of Tennessee
Measured: 70 kt (81 mph) estimated gust
Reported by: Emergency Manager
Coordinates: 40.420, -90.820

A structure was damaged.

Tornado, McDonough

When: April 17, 6:29 PM CST to 6:36 PM CST
Where: McDonough County, 2.57 mi SSW of Pennington Pt to 4.35 mi SE of Adair
Rating: EF2
Path length: 6.02 mi
Path width: 200 yd
Continued into: Fulton, Il (ILX)
Reported by: NWS Storm Survey
Coordinates: 40.364, -90.562

The tornado began about 3.5 miles northeast of Industry where it did some tree damage followed by snapping of 7 power poles along N 600th Rd. It progressed east between N 600th Rd and N 500th Rd as it produced tree and significant outbuilding damage. The tornado then turned northeast where it did significant tree damage, producing wind speeds around 115 mph. It then crossed into Fulton County along Waters Rd and did roof damage to a home along with more extensive tree damage, snapping off large trees, and destroying a machine shed. It also destroyed a newer grain bin as it moved to the northeast. As it continued to the northeast it likely merged with a newer tornado that came from the south.

Thunderstorm Wind, McDonough

When: April 17, 6:30 PM CST
Where: McDonough County, 4.27 mi W of Industry
Measured: 70 kt (81 mph) estimated gust
Reported by: Trained Spotter
Coordinates: 40.340, -90.680

Tree limbs down and a flag pole snapped 8 feet above the ground.

Thunderstorm Wind, McDonough

When: April 17, 6:31 PM CST
Where: McDonough County, 3.68 mi E of Fandon
Measured: 63 kt (72 mph) measured gust
Reported by: Mesonet
Coordinates: 40.370, -90.700

Thunderstorm Wind, Bureau

When: April 17, 6:52 PM CST
Where: Bureau County, 0.86 mi SE of Tiskilwa
Measured: 61 kt (70 mph) estimated gust
Reported by: Emergency Manager
Coordinates: 41.290, -89.510

A tree was blown down.

Thunderstorm Wind, Putnam

When: April 17, 7:01 PM CST
Where: Putnam County, 1.7 mi ENE of Hennepin
Measured: 50 kt (58 mph) measured gust
Reported by: Trained Spotter
Coordinates: 41.260, -89.320

Measured winds of 58 mph.

Thunderstorm Wind, Bureau

When: April 17, 7:10 PM CST
Where: Bureau County, Spring Vly
Measured: 65 kt (75 mph) estimated gust
Reported by: Emergency Manager
Coordinates: 41.330, -89.200

Multiple trees reported down.

Tornado, Bureau

When: April 17, 7:12 PM CST to 7:14 PM CST
Where: Bureau County, 2.14 mi NNE of Cherry to 4.47 mi ENE of Arlington
Rating: EF1
Path length: 2.95 mi
Path width: 300 yd
Continued into: La Salle, Il (LOT)
Reported by: NWS Storm Survey
Coordinates: 41.460, -89.210

The EF1 tornado with winds up to 95 mph appeared to start just south of County Road 2200 N in Bureau County, where a barn structure sustained roofing damage. The tornado then moved northeastward into LaSalle County, producing damage to trees and farm outbuildings. Several wooden power poles were damaged just southeast of Mendota before a semi truck was blown over on I-39 as the tornado continued northeastward. The tornado then passed near Meriden, causing additional damage to trees and farm outbuildings before dissipating in an open field northwest of Earlville.

What these are

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.
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.
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.

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

The same day elsewhere

Every storm in Illinois in 2026 Every state in 2026 This day in weather history The tornado archive for Illinois, 2026 Warnings in Illinois, April 2026

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: 1330540, 1330582, 1330541, 1330543, 1330544, 1330545, 1330546, 1330547, 1330548, 1330549, 1330550, 1330570, 1330551, 1330552, 1330553, 1330585, 1330556, 1330576, 1330542, 1330554, 1330555, 1330558, 1330557, 1330571, 1330568, 1330569, 1330567, 1330562, 1330559, 1330560, 1330564, 1330589, 1330587, 1330575, 1330581, 1330577, 1330565, 1330566, 1330588, 1330578, and more.