EF1 tornado in Sangamon County, Illinois

The tornado touched down 6 miles south-southeast of Springfield on the west banks of Lake Springfield at 217 PM CST. The tornado then crossed the lake and continued northeastward just southeast of Rochester before lifting 2 miles south-southeast of Mechanicsburg at 237 PM CST. Several large trees were snapped off along the west shore of Lake Springfield as the tornado first touched down. Numerous trees and tree branches were knocked down further east along the path of the storm, with a few structures damaged by falling limbs, including the Lake Springfield Yacht Club. In addition, widespread crop damage was observed.

A vigorous upper-level disturbance in conjunction with a warm front lifting northward through central Illinois triggered strong to severe thunderstorms during the afternoon and evening of August 19th. Embedded supercells within a long line of storms produced enhanced wind damage and tornadoes. Seven tornadoes touched down on August 19th, affecting parts of Scott, Morgan, Sangamon, Logan, DeWitt, McLean, and Vermilion counties. The strongest tornado was rated as an EF3 by an NWS Storm Survey as it tracked across southern Logan County. Total damages to crops and property from the 7 tornadoes were estimated to be more than $25 Million.