Sangamon storm history
Storm events recorded in Sangamon, Illinois between 1950 and 2025.
1,061
Total events
90
Tornadoes
311
Hail
80
Floods
13
Deaths
$79.0M
Property damage
Most significant events
Strongest tornadoes, deadliest events, and biggest damage in this county. Up to 50 shown.
The tornado touched down on the west side of Williamsville, just west of I-55, at 319 PM CST. It destroyed an antique mall, damaged the Casey's gas station building and collapsed the canopy over the gas pumps. One person was injured at the mall, while 2 motorcyclists were injured…
Weather observers measured 5 to 6 inches of snow across Sangamon County...including 5.5 inches 4 miles west-southwest of Berry and 5.0 inches in Sherman. Due to snow-covered and slick roadways, numerous traffic accidents occurred. A multi-vehicle collision on I-55 near the Clear …
Southerly winds gusting to around 45mph created considerable blowing dust that resulted in visibility around zero at times. As a result of the dust, a fatal traffic accident occurred on I-72 near New Berlin.
The impacts of the flash flooding from the late evening of June 17th into the early morning of June 18th continued for another 20 hours in western Sangamon County. In addition, another 1.00 to 2.00 of rain fell over the flooded area from June 18th into the 19th. During the aftern…
Weather observers across Sangamon County measured 9 to 15 inches of snow, with the official measurement in Springfield coming in at 12 inches. 40 to 50 mph winds accompanied the snow, reducing the visibility to near zero. As a result of the blizzard conditions, travel became near…
A woman drowned in downtown Springfield near the intersection of 3rd and Capitol after her car stalled in an underpass which was flooded due to a storm sewer backup. As she was trying to push her car out of about three feet of standing water, she slipped partially into a manhole …
Due to icy road conditions, a car skidded off I-55 in Springfield near the Sangamon Avenue exit at 6:10 AM. The car struck a light post, killing the driver.
Ten people were overcome by heat while attending a gathering outside the state capital in Springfield. Four of them were transported to the hospital. The temperature at the time of the event was 89 degrees and the heat index was 98.
Continuation of Morgan county tornado. The total path length of the tornado was about 65.5 miles, including a 45.0 mile path across the WFO Central Illinois service area.Damage from the storm over Scott, Morgan and rural Sangamon counties consisted of the snapping of power poles …
Persistent thunderstorms produced heavy rainfall during the early evening in Sangamon County and the western half of Springfield with 2.50 to 6.00 inches in less than three hours. Some locations reported more than 3.00 inches of rain between 1700 and 1800 CST. Numerous city stree…
Heavy rainfall amounts of 2.50 to 5.10 inches fell on the Springfield Metro area in less than two hours during the evening of August 28th. Multiple viaducts were flooded in Springfield, streets were inundated with water at least 2 feet deep, vehicles were stranded and parts of In…
A wildfire burned 350 acres of grassland near Rochester in Sangamon County on July 27th. While the exact cause of the fire is unknown, it was likely aided by very dry conditions and northwesterly winds gusting to 25 mph. No injuries were reported: however, a barn was destroyed by…
Flash flooding of historic proportions occurred in western Sangamon County from late in the evening of June 17th through much of June 18th. Rainfall amounts of 5.00 to 9.00 were reported, with the highest totals along the boder with Morgan County. The nearly stationary thundersto…
Lightning struck the steeple of a church at 16th and South Grand Avenue in Springfield, starting a fire which quickly engulfed the building. The church was no longer being used, but still contained pews, books and an organ. The building and its contents were a total loss.
A nearly stationary thunderstorm produced around 4.50 inches of rain in 90 minutes over the city of Springfield just before the evening rush hour. The downtown suffered major impacts with extensive flooding of streets and up to 7 feet of water under viaducts. Most streets were im…
The tornado crossed into Sangamon County from Morgan County at 151 PM CST, then continued northeastward through the town of Loami before lifting 1.5 miles northwest of Chatham at 208 PM CST. In Loami, 13 homes were destroyed and 19 homes were severely damaged. In addition, the to…
High winds blew a road construction sign onto a vehicle in Springfield.
Declared state and federal disaster area. Snow accumulation of 5 to 7 inches fell on top of significant ice accumulation.
Hail fell for 20 minutes in Aurburn causing widespread damage. Many cars sustained hail damage, as well as, damage to windows, roofs, and siding on numerous homes. Damage was estimated around 9 million dollars.
High Wind High Wind
A 58mph non-thunderstorm wind gust was observed at Capital Airport (KSPI) in Springfield at 10:15am CST.
Drought Drought
Due to a four-month precipitation deficit, Severe Drought (D2) was ongoing at the start of the month. However, multiple disturbances during the second half of November produced sufficient precipitation to improve the drought conditions to Moderate Drought (D1) by December 2nd. Th…
Heavy Snow Heavy Snow
Numerous weather observers measured 6 to 12 inches of snow across Sangamon County...including 11.5 inches in Rochester and 10.0 inches in Chatham. Due to both falling snow and considerable blowing and drifting snow, travel became extremely hazardous...leading to numerous accident…
Drought Drought
Due to a three-month precipitation deficit, Severe Drought (D2) was ongoing at the start of the month. Slightly below normal precipitation persisted during November, with the official observation for Springfield measuring 2.60 of precipitation which was 0.11 below normal. These c…
Drought Drought
Moderate Drought (D1) was present at the start of the month. Capital Airport logged 1.28 inches of rainfall in October, which was 1.98 inches below normal for the month. The continued below normal precipitation and above normal temperatures led to a worsening of the drought, with…
Thunderstorm Wind Thunderstorm Wind
A tree was blown onto power lines.
Thunderstorm Wind Thunderstorm Wind
Corn was nearly flattened between Auburn and I-55.
Tornado EF1 Tornado
Sentinel satellite data indicated a tornado began 2.6 miles northwest of Berlin, initially traveling northeast through farm fields. It snapped several large trees at a farmstead along north Pleasant Plains Road. As it continued along its path, it tossed a pair of grain bins acros…
Hail Hail
Thunderstorm Wind Thunderstorm Wind
A large tree was damaged in the Twin Lakes neighborhood on the northeast side of Springfield.
Flash Flood Flash Flood
Water was flowing across Illinois 29 at Gabbert Road south of Cantrall.
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Events by year
| Year | Events | Tornadoes |
|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 46 | 1 |
| 2024 | 26 | 0 |
| 2023 | 90 | 5 |
| 2022 | 33 | 0 |
| 2021 | 40 | 3 |
| 2020 | 42 | 4 |
| 2019 | 42 | 1 |
| 2018 | 23 | 1 |
| 2017 | 33 | 0 |
| 2016 | 26 | 1 |
| 2015 | 30 | 0 |
| 2014 | 15 | 2 |
| 2013 | 35 | 0 |
| 2012 | 29 | 0 |
| 2011 | 54 | 0 |
| 2010 | 28 | 0 |
| 2009 | 41 | 4 |
| 2008 | 40 | 1 |
| 2007 | 12 | 1 |
| 2006 | 44 | 11 |
| 2005 | 16 | 0 |
| 2004 | 12 | 3 |
| 2003 | 27 | 7 |
| 2002 | 22 | 0 |
| 2001 | 10 | 0 |
| 2000 | 19 | 3 |
| 1999 | 17 | 1 |
| 1998 | 19 | 2 |
| 1997 | 8 | 0 |
| 1996 | 18 | 2 |
| 1995 | 4 | 0 |
| 1994 | 9 | 0 |
| 1993 | 1 | 0 |
| 1992 | 8 | 0 |
| 1991 | 2 | 0 |
| 1990 | 3 | 2 |
| 1989 | 1 | 0 |
| 1988 | 3 | 1 |
| 1987 | 6 | 0 |
| 1986 | 12 | 2 |
| 1985 | 2 | 1 |
| 1983 | 1 | 0 |
| 1982 | 4 | 0 |
| 1981 | 3 | 1 |
| 1980 | 3 | 1 |
| 1978 | 5 | 1 |
| 1977 | 20 | 17 |
| 1975 | 8 | 2 |
| 1974 | 7 | 0 |
| 1973 | 5 | 1 |
| 1972 | 2 | 0 |
| 1970 | 4 | 0 |
| 1969 | 4 | 0 |
| 1967 | 5 | 0 |
| 1966 | 1 | 0 |
| 1965 | 5 | 0 |
| 1964 | 6 | 1 |
| 1963 | 4 | 1 |
| 1962 | 4 | 1 |
| 1961 | 5 | 1 |
| 1960 | 1 | 1 |
| 1959 | 1 | 0 |
| 1958 | 2 | 0 |
| 1957 | 7 | 2 |
| 1956 | 4 | 0 |
| 1955 | 1 | 0 |
| 1954 | 1 | 1 |