Stephenson storm history
Storm events recorded in Stephenson, Illinois between 1950 and 2025.
725
Total events
21
Tornadoes
118
Hail
56
Floods
2
Deaths
$20.8M
Property damage
Most significant events
Strongest tornadoes, deadliest events, and biggest damage in this county. Up to 50 shown.
Torrential rains of 3 to 8 inches caused some flash flooding across parts of Stephenson County during the evening of July 27 and morning of July 28. There were reports of cattle scattered through county by flood waters with some washed downstream. The flood waters were several fe…
Heavy rainfall of 3 to over 12 inches over significant areas from 20 to 22 July in southern Wisconsin and Northern Illinois moved downstream causing the Rock River to rise well above major flood stage levels just downstream of Freeport down to the Mississippi at Moline. Freeport …
Numerous trees & power lines down
Winter Storm Winter Storm
Trained spotter reports ranged from 7.0 inches in Pearl City to 12.0 inches in Freeport.
Thunderstorm Wind Thunderstorm Wind
A report of several small branches generally between 1 to 2 inches in diameter down in Freeport was received.
Thunderstorm Wind Thunderstorm Wind
Several 6 to 7 inch diameter tree limbs were knocked down with some blocking a street in southern Freeport for a time. Time estimated by radar.
Hail Hail
Quarter size hail reported.
Hail Hail
Report initially from mPING. This report was corroborated with photographic evidence of a jagged hailstone around 3 to 3.5 inches in diameter.
Thunderstorm Wind Thunderstorm Wind
A public report that a large tree was reported down in Dakota, IL. The of the event was estimated using radar.
Winter Storm Winter Storm
Trained spotters reported 6 to 10 inches of snow, with widespread snow covered roads.
Tornado EFU Tornado
A trained spotter video confirmed a short-lived tornado southwest of Dakota, or northeast of Freeport. There was no observed damage to assign a rating.
Tornado EFU Tornado
A tornado developed northwest of Stockton in Jo Daviess County, and moved E/SE along an intermittent 15 mile path, before lifting near Lena in Stephenson County. In Jo Daviess County, the tornado snapped a wooden power pole near the base, snapped tree trunks, and impacted a farms…
Thunderstorm Wind Thunderstorm Wind
A public report of a tree down. Time of the event was estimated using radar.
Thunderstorm Wind Thunderstorm Wind
A public photo received via social media showed a large tree limb down that nearly fell on a garage.
Thunderstorm Wind Thunderstorm Wind
A public report of a measured 93 MPH wind gust.
Thunderstorm Wind Thunderstorm Wind
A public report of multiple downed trees. The time of the event was estimated using radar.
Thunderstorm Wind Thunderstorm Wind
A public report of a large tree that was snapped, with multiple large branches downed by the winds.
Flash Flood Flash Flood
A public report of street flooding in Freeport.
Thunderstorm Wind Thunderstorm Wind
Law Enforcement reports tree limbs blown down.
Thunderstorm Wind Thunderstorm Wind
Law Enforcement reports tree limbs down.
Thunderstorm Wind Thunderstorm Wind
The AWOS at the Freeport Municipal Airport measured a gust of 58 MPH.
Thunderstorm Wind Thunderstorm Wind
Thunderstorm Wind Thunderstorm Wind
Tree branches down along with an uprooted hardwood tree. The time is based on radar data.
Hail Hail
Thunderstorm Wind Thunderstorm Wind
Trees were blown down in Freeport. Time estimated from radar data.
Thunderstorm Wind Thunderstorm Wind
Several large trees blown down, blocking roads.
Thunderstorm Wind Thunderstorm Wind
Several 4 inch diameter tree branches down. Power lines damaged. Time estimated from radar data.
Thunderstorm Wind Thunderstorm Wind
Several pine trees were blown down. Limbs down on other trees as well on west side of Lena, Illinois.
Thunderstorm Wind Thunderstorm Wind
Also reported pea size hail for a minute.
Hail Hail
Winter Weather Winter Weather
Trained spotter snowfall reports ranged from 3.0 inches in Lena to 4.0 3 miles south of Winneshiek.
Tornado EFU Tornado
Pictures and video from a storm chaser confirm a brief tornado southeast of Pearl City Monday afternoon. The Stephenson County Emergency Manager surveyed the area and did not see any damage. Therefore, the tornado is rated EF-Unknown.
Hail Hail
Time estimated from radar.
Hail Hail
Hail Hail
Dime to quarter sized hail.
Winter Storm Winter Storm
Numerous reports of 6 to 9 inches of snow were received, with widespread significant drifting snow continuing into the evening hours.
Winter Storm Winter Storm
Trained spotter snowfall reports ranged from a public report of 6.0 inches 2 miles west of Bolton to 7.0 inches from a trained spotter in Freeport.
Thunderstorm Wind Thunderstorm Wind
Large tree blown down on a boat, with an 80 mph estimated gust 10 minutes prior at the AWOS.
Thunderstorm Wind Thunderstorm Wind
Report from mping of trees being uprooted or snapped.
Thunderstorm Wind Thunderstorm Wind
Several 5 inch or larger tree branches downed by thunderstorm winds.
Thunderstorm Wind Thunderstorm Wind
Trained spotter estimated an 80 mph wind gust from the thunderstorms.
Thunderstorm Wind Thunderstorm Wind
Trained spotter estimated 60 mph wind gusts with the thunderstorm.
Thunderstorm Wind Thunderstorm Wind
Report of a shed blown down by thunderstorm winds.
Thunderstorm Wind Thunderstorm Wind
Report of trees blown down, along with a machine shed damaged.
Thunderstorm Wind Thunderstorm Wind
County dispatch reported a few trees blown down north of Freeport through Orangeville.
Thunderstorm Wind Thunderstorm Wind
An 18 inch diameter tree was blown down at Highland Community College.
Hail Hail
Events by year
| Year | Events | Tornadoes |
|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 7 | 0 |
| 2024 | 27 | 3 |
| 2023 | 16 | 1 |
| 2022 | 19 | 1 |
| 2021 | 10 | 0 |
| 2020 | 14 | 1 |
| 2019 | 18 | 0 |
| 2018 | 17 | 0 |
| 2017 | 21 | 2 |
| 2016 | 9 | 0 |
| 2015 | 12 | 0 |
| 2014 | 31 | 0 |
| 2013 | 20 | 0 |
| 2012 | 26 | 0 |
| 2011 | 46 | 0 |
| 2010 | 29 | 1 |
| 2009 | 29 | 1 |
| 2008 | 67 | 0 |
| 2007 | 24 | 0 |
| 2006 | 29 | 0 |
| 2005 | 18 | 0 |
| 2004 | 17 | 0 |
| 2003 | 28 | 3 |
| 2002 | 20 | 0 |
| 2001 | 18 | 0 |
| 2000 | 33 | 0 |
| 1999 | 20 | 2 |
| 1998 | 17 | 3 |
| 1997 | 10 | 0 |
| 1996 | 12 | 0 |
| 1995 | 2 | 0 |
| 1992 | 3 | 0 |
| 1991 | 1 | 0 |
| 1990 | 5 | 0 |
| 1988 | 3 | 0 |
| 1987 | 5 | 0 |
| 1986 | 1 | 0 |
| 1985 | 1 | 0 |
| 1984 | 3 | 0 |
| 1983 | 1 | 0 |
| 1982 | 1 | 0 |
| 1981 | 3 | 0 |
| 1980 | 3 | 0 |
| 1978 | 1 | 0 |
| 1975 | 6 | 0 |
| 1974 | 8 | 0 |
| 1973 | 1 | 0 |
| 1972 | 3 | 0 |
| 1971 | 4 | 1 |
| 1968 | 2 | 0 |
| 1967 | 1 | 0 |
| 1959 | 1 | 1 |
| 1958 | 1 | 1 |
| 1956 | 1 | 0 |