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Severe Thunderstorms in the Northern Plains and Upper Midwest; Critical Fire Weather in the West; Dangerous Heat in the Central and Eastern U.S.

Severe thunderstorms are likely today across the northern Plains and into the upper Mississippi Valley. Gusty winds and dry conditions will result in widespread critical fire weather through Saturday across parts of the Four Corners region and the Great Basin. A significant and dangerous heat wave will expand from the Central U.S. into the Eastern U.S this weekend through much of next week. Read More >

On June 14, 1974, a tornado touched down in southern Rock Island County and continued through Mercer and Warren counties before ending in northern Knox County.  This tornado took an erratic path as it traveled a total of 53 miles and caused 2 injuries.  The most intense damage path, rated F3 in intensity, occurred in Knox County and extended from approximately 7 miles north to 10 miles south of Abingdon, IL.  In Abingdon, the damage resulted in about 200 homes being damaged or destroyed.  Total storm damages were estimated at more than $2 million.

June 14, 1974 Storm Reports

Tornado path (red line) and hail reports (green) from June 14, 1974 from the Storm Prediction Center (SPC) National Severe Weather Database.

 

Photos from June 14, 1974

 If you have any photos or additional reports from this event, please send them to us at w-dvn.webmaster@noaa.gov

Below are photos of the damage that occurred near Abingdon, IL.  To see a larger image, simply click on the picture.  (Photos relayed by Ethan Schisler)