High Surf in Illinois
Every high surf event the National Weather Service has filed in Illinois, year by year, with the most significant episodes. Large waves breaking on the shore that caused damage, erosion or casualties.
The most significant on the map
The most significant high surf episodes in Illinois.
- Tornadoes
- Tropical storms and surge
- Floods
- Wind
- Hail
- Winter weather
- Heat and drought
- Cold
- Fire, smoke and dust
- Marine and coastal
- Other
The record
- Events
- 5
- Deaths
- 5
- Injuries
- 1
- Damage
- None recorded
Every year
The most significant
Ranked by deaths, injuries, damage and size together.
- High Surf in Illinois, June 21, 2025Strong winds on the 21st generated high waves and deadly currents on southern Lake Michigan beaches, resulting in several water rescues and a couple of fatalities.
- High Surf in Illinois, August 20, 2025Around 7:50 PM CST on the 20th, Evanston FD received a report of a teenager that had gone under the water while swimming at Lighthouse Beach. The 17-year-old boy was recovered and transported to a nearby hospital. He was later announced deceased.
- High Surf in Illinois, May 28, 2026Northerly winds gusting as high as 30 mph produced high waves on May 28th. The Wilmette buoy reported 3 to 4 foot waves when a 32 year old man was found unresponsive in Lake Michigan near Diversey Harbor. He was taken to a local hospital where he died.
- High Surf in Illinois, April 16, 2026The body of a middle-aged man was recovered from Lake Michigan at Openlands Lakeshore Preserve in Highland Park on the evening of the 17th. Officials believe the man had been deceased for around a day when his body was recovered.
More
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.