Union storm history
Storm events recorded in Union, Illinois between 1950 and 2025.
753
Total events
24
Tornadoes
55
Hail
68
Floods
8
Deaths
$14.8M
Property damage
Most significant events
Strongest tornadoes, deadliest events, and biggest damage in this county. Up to 50 shown.
The tornado first touched down in very hilly terrain in the Shawnee National Forest and then tracked east, crossing Route 127 just north of Mill Creek. The tornado then directly struck the community of Dongola, where most of the damage and casualties occurred. A 69-year-old woman…
Tornado F3 Tornado
Severe flash flooding impacted Union County. There were two water rescues in the county. One car stalled in high water on Mount Glen Road near Cobden. First responders were able to rescue the driver, a young female. The second water rescue involved a vehicle in the Trail of Tears…
A 3-year-old child was killed when her grandmother attempted to carry her across a flooded creek on foot. The grandmother was unable to cross the creek in her vehicle, so she attempted to cross on foot. The grandmother lost her footing in the creek, and the child was swept away a…
About ten damage claims were filed with insurance companies as a result of the hailstorm. Enough hail fell to clog storm drains and turn the ground white. Undetermined damage was done to apple orchards.
Historic flooding inundated the county after close to 12 inches of rain fell in 48 hours. Levees were overtopped along the Clear Creek drainage district, essentially cutting the county in two. All east-west roads were impassable or closed. Between 30 and 35 people were rescued or…
Dense Fog Dense Fog
Dense Fog Dense Fog
Dense Fog Dense Fog
Drought Drought
Thunderstorm Wind Thunderstorm Wind
Several power outage reports were made from Cobden and Jonesboro as the thunderstorm outflow boundary swept through northern Union County. Distance from the storm core suggests wind was the predominant cause rather than lightning.
Excessive Heat Excessive Heat
Excessive Heat Excessive Heat
Extreme heat continued from the third week of July.
Excessive Heat Excessive Heat
Extreme heat continued into late July.
Heat Heat
Dense Fog Dense Fog
Dense Fog Dense Fog
Tornado EF1 Tornado
An EF1 tornado touched down along Hwy 146 approximately 6.5 miles northeast of Dongola. It uprooted and snapped several trees along with causing some minor shingle and siding damage to a few homes. Peak winds were 100 mph and max width was 50 yards along its approximately 2 mile …
Thunderstorm Wind Thunderstorm Wind
Following the lifting of a tornado just west of Mount Pleasant, straight line wind damage uprooted a tree on Woods Rd and brought down tree branches further east.
Dense Fog Dense Fog
Strong Wind Strong Wind
Strong Wind Strong Wind
Strong Wind Strong Wind
Strong Wind Strong Wind
Strong Wind Strong Wind
Cold/Wind Chill Cold/Wind Chill
Cold/Wind Chill Cold/Wind Chill
Heavy Snow Heavy Snow
Winter Weather Winter Weather
Dense Fog Dense Fog
Cold/Wind Chill Cold/Wind Chill
Heavy Snow Heavy Snow
Ice Storm Ice Storm
Winter Weather Winter Weather
Frost/Freeze Frost/Freeze
Frost/Freeze Frost/Freeze
Thunderstorm Wind Thunderstorm Wind
Downdraft winds blew down trees around Dongola with other trees reported downed throughout the county.
Excessive Heat Excessive Heat
Excessive Heat Excessive Heat
Heat Heat
Flash Flood Flash Flood
Street flooding occurred in Cobden. 1.45 inches of rain fell between 315-350CST.
Excessive Heat Excessive Heat
Heat Heat
Heat Heat
Excessive Heat Excessive Heat
Events by year
| Year | Events | Tornadoes |
|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 27 | 1 |
| 2024 | 33 | 1 |
| 2023 | 26 | 0 |
| 2022 | 36 | 0 |
| 2021 | 24 | 0 |
| 2020 | 24 | 1 |
| 2019 | 30 | 0 |
| 2018 | 38 | 2 |
| 2017 | 25 | 0 |
| 2016 | 27 | 0 |
| 2015 | 30 | 0 |
| 2014 | 25 | 3 |
| 2013 | 15 | 0 |
| 2012 | 33 | 1 |
| 2011 | 33 | 1 |
| 2010 | 26 | 0 |
| 2009 | 28 | 0 |
| 2008 | 27 | 1 |
| 2007 | 23 | 1 |
| 2006 | 25 | 0 |
| 2005 | 17 | 0 |
| 2004 | 13 | 1 |
| 2003 | 18 | 0 |
| 2002 | 17 | 1 |
| 2001 | 15 | 0 |
| 2000 | 12 | 0 |
| 1999 | 19 | 2 |
| 1998 | 18 | 0 |
| 1997 | 6 | 0 |
| 1996 | 11 | 0 |
| 1995 | 9 | 0 |
| 1994 | 2 | 0 |
| 1993 | 1 | 0 |
| 1991 | 2 | 0 |
| 1990 | 1 | 0 |
| 1989 | 2 | 0 |
| 1988 | 2 | 0 |
| 1987 | 1 | 0 |
| 1986 | 1 | 0 |
| 1984 | 1 | 0 |
| 1982 | 4 | 0 |
| 1981 | 1 | 0 |
| 1980 | 1 | 0 |
| 1978 | 1 | 0 |
| 1977 | 1 | 0 |
| 1976 | 3 | 1 |
| 1975 | 1 | 0 |
| 1974 | 1 | 0 |
| 1973 | 1 | 1 |
| 1972 | 4 | 2 |
| 1969 | 4 | 1 |
| 1967 | 1 | 0 |
| 1966 | 1 | 0 |
| 1963 | 2 | 0 |
| 1960 | 1 | 0 |
| 1957 | 1 | 1 |
| 1955 | 2 | 2 |