June 22, 2015: Numerous Tornadoes Strike Northern Illinois

Fast Facts

• During the evening of June 22, twelve tornadoes occurred across northern Illinois.  Ten of these were spawned from one long-lived, constantly cycling, rotating storm, known as a cyclic supercell storm, which tracked across Whiteside, Lee, LaSalle, Grundy, Will, and Kankakee Counties.
• The heaviest damage was in Coal City (Grundy County) and Braidwood (Will County) which was caused by an EF-3 tornado with maximum winds of 160 mph, and the Woodhaven Campground in Sublette (Lee County) caused by an EF-2 tornado with maximum winds of 130 mph.
• There were 14 injuries reported.  There were no fatalities.
• The EF-3 Coal City to Braidwood tornado was the strongest tornado in Grundy County since an F3 tornado struck on July 17, 1972.
• The atmosphere was primed for severe weather, with very warm, humid conditions, low pressure moving north of the region, and a strong jet stream aloft.  An outflow boundary from earlier storms during the late morning and early afternon may have been key to where the long-lived tornado-producing storm tracked.
• In addition to tornado and wind damage, slow moving storms brought torrential rainfall of locally up to 3 to 5 inches to portions of Lee, Grundy, Will, and Kankakee counties, resulting in widespread flash flooding.  This rain fell on top of soil already saturated from repeated heavy rains over the past few weeks.
• The possibility of severe weather in the region had been mentioned as early as Saturday, with the focus shifted southward to northern Illinois Sunday afternoon and into Monday.  A tornado watch and tornado warnings had been issued in advance of the storms.

 Storm Survey KMZ File

The ten tornadoes from the single cyclic supercell storm were on the ground for a total of 54.7 miles and one hour and 41 minutes.

Individual Tornadoes

PUBLIC INFORMATION STATEMENT
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE CHICAGO,IL
1030 PM CDT FRI JUN 26 2015

...JUNE 22 2015 TORNADO EVENT...

TORNADO COUNTS:
# IN NORTHERN ILLINOIS: 12
# IN NWS DAVENPORT COUNTY WARNING AREA: 3
# IN NWS CHICAGO COUNTY WARNING AREA: 10
# THAT CROSSED CWAS: 1
# FROM SUPERCELL STORM THAT MOVED FROM STERLING TO BOURBONNAIS: 10

THE NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE WOULD LIKE TO THANK EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT
AND PUBLIC OFFICIALS FROM SEVERAL COUNTIES FOR THEIR ASSISTANCE WITH
THE SURVEYS. IN ADDITION...REPORTS FROM TRAINED STORM SPOTTERS WERE
VERY HELPFUL. THESE SURVEYS WOULD NOT HAVE BEEN ABLE TO BE COMPLETED
SO READILY WITHOUT THE ASSISTANCE OF NEIGHBORING NWS OFFICES IN
DAVENPORT IOWA AND LINCOLN ILLINOIS AS WELL AS OUR ACADEMIC PARTNERS
FROM THE COLLEGE OF DUPAGE METEOROLOGY DEPARTMENT.

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.TORNADO #1: STERLING AND ROCK FALLS TORNADO...*

RATING:                 EF-1
ESTIMATED PEAK WIND:    100 MPH
PATH LENGTH /STATUTE/:  2.2 MILES
START TIME:             714 PM CDT
START LOCATION:         1 MILE NORTHEAST OF ROCK FALLS IL
END TIME:               718 PM CDT
END LOCATION:           2.5 MILES SOUTHEAST OF ROCK FALLS IL

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.TORNADO #2: EDGINGTON IL TORNADO...*

RATING:                 EF-2
ESTIMATED PEAK WIND:    120 MPH
PATH LENGTH /STATUTE/:  4.2 MILES
START TIME:             715 PM CDT
START LOCATION:         1.3 W EDGINGTON / ROCK ISLAND / IL
END TIME:               723 PM CDT
END LOCATION:           2.2 E EDGINGTON / ROCK ISLAND / IL

* NOTE THESE TORNADOES WERE IN THE NWS DAVENPORT CWA BUT ARE LISTED
HERE FOR SUMMARY PURPOSES. PLEASE VISIT WEATHER.GOV/DVN FOR MORE.




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.TORNADO #3: WHITESIDE COUNTY TO LEE COUNTY TORNADO...

RATING:                 EF-1
PEAK WIND:              105 MPH
PATH LENGTH:            2.6 MILES
PATH WIDTH MAXIMUM:     50 YARDS
FATALITIES:             0
INJURIES:               0

START DATE:             JUN 22 2015
START TIME:             716 PM CDT
START LOCATION:         3.5 MILES SOUTHEAST OF ROCK FALLS IL
START LAT/LON:          41.7360 / -89.6509

END DATE:               JUN 22 2015
END TIME:               720 PM CDT
END LOCATION:           3.5 MILES WEST OF HARMON IL
END LAT/LON:            41.7099 / -89.6174

SURVEY SUMMARY: MAINLY DAMAGE TO TREES AND POWERLINES. DAMAGE TO
SIDING ON HOUSE.

NOTE: THIS TORNADO CROSSED FROM THE NWS DAVENPORT IA CWA INTO THE
NWS CHICAGO CWA. THE LEE COUNTY PORTION OF THE TORNADO PATH WAS
ABOUT 0.8 MILES LONG.

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.TORNADO #4: HARMON AREA TORNADO

RATING:                 EF-1
PEAK WIND:              105 MPH
PATH LENGTH:            7.5 MILES
PATH WIDTH MAXIMUM:     50 YARDS
FATALITIES:             0
INJURIES:               0

START DATE:             JUN 22 2015
START TIME:             728 PM CDT
START LOCATION:         2.5 MILES NORTHWEST OF HARMON IL
START LAT/LON:          41.7436 / -89.5917

END DATE:               JUN 22 2015
END TIME:               740 PM CDT
END LOCATION:           5.1 MILES EAST SOUTHEAST OF HARMON IL
END LAT/LON:            41.6971 / -89.4615

SURVEY SUMMARY: NARROW PATH OF MAINLY TREE DAMAGE. REAR FLANK
DOWNDRAFT DAMAGE WAS NOTED SOUTH OF THE PATH INCLUDING DAMAGE
A ROOF BLOWN OFF A BUILDING IN HARMON. STORM SPOTTERS ASSISTED
WITH THE IDENTIFYING OF THE TORNADO.

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.TORNADO #5: WOODHAVEN LAKES/SUBLETTE TORNADO

RATING:                 EF-2
PEAK WIND:              130 MPH
PATH LENGTH:            7.8 MILES
PATH WIDTH MAXIMUM:     ONE HALF MILE
FATALITIES:             0
INJURIES:               7

START DATE:             JUN 22 2015
START TIME:             753 PM CDT
START LOCATION:         4.0 MILES SOUTH OF AMBOY IL
START LAT/LON:          41.6565 / -89.3213

END DATE:               JUN 22 2015
END TIME:               811 PM CDT
END LOCATION:           3.4 MILES SOUTHEAST OF SUBLETTE IL
END LAT/LON:            41.6044 / -89.1874

SURVEY SUMMARY: VERY SIGNIFICANT TREE DAMAGE...WITH MANY LARGE
TREES SNAPPED OR UPROOTED IN WOODHAVEN LAKES CAMPING RESORT AREA.
SEVERAL OF THESE FELL ON RECREATIONAL VEHICLES.

NOTES: THIS WAS THE STRONGEST TORNADO DAMAGE RATING WITHIN LEE
COUNTY ITSELF SINCE AN F2 TORNADO ON JULY 8 1993. THE THREE
TORNADOES IN LEE COUNTY WERE THE MOST IN ONE CALENDAR DAY IN THE
TORNADO PERIOD OF RECORD /SINCE 1950/.

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.TORNADO #6: MENDOTA TORNADO

RATING:                 EF-1
PEAK WIND:              105 MPH
PATH LENGTH:            1.5 MILES
PATH WIDTH /MAXIMUM/:   150 YARDS
FATALITIES:             0
INJURIES:               0

START DATE:             JUN 22 2015
START TIME:             819 PM CDT
START LOCATION:         WEST SIDE OF MENDOTA IL
START LAT/LON:          41.5536 / -89.1334

END DATE:               JUN 22 2015
END TIME:               824 PM CDT
END LOCATION:           JUST OUTSIDE EAST SIDE OF MENDOTA IL
END LAT/LON:            41.5454 / -89.1070

SURVEY SUMMARY: SIGNIFICANT TREE DAMAGE...WITH MULTIPLE TREES
SNAPPED OR UPROOTED IN TOWN. SOME OF THESE TREES ENDED UP ON
STRUCTURES CAUSING DAMAGE INCLUDING AT LEAST ONE ON A VEHICLE.
DAMAGE ON THE FAR NORTH END OF TOWN INCLUDING NUMEROUS TREES DOWN
IN RESTLAND CEMETERY WAS NOT FROM THIS TORNADO AND LIKELY FROM
STRAIGHT-LINE WINDS.

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.TORNADO #7: NORTH OF OTTAWA AND WEDRON AREA TORNADO

RATING:                 EF-1
PEAK WIND:              90 MPH
PATH LENGTH:            6.1 MILES
PATH WIDTH MAXIMUM:     150 YARDS
FATALITIES:             0
INJURIES:               0

START DATE:             JUN 22 2015
START TIME:             850 PM CDT
START LOCATION:         8 MILES NORTH-NORTHWEST OF OTTAWA IL
START LAT/LON:          41.4701 / -88.8719

END DATE:               JUN 22 2015
END TIME:               902 PM CDT
END LOCATION:           0.7 MILES NORTHEAST OF WEDRON IL
END LAT/LON:            41.4407 / -88.7620

SURVEY SUMMARY: SEVERAL LARGE TREES SNAPPED OR UPROOTED. ONE TREE
WAS DOWNED ON A HOUSE. ONE TRAILER WAS BLOWN OVER.

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.TORNADO #8: SENECA AND MORRIS AREA TORNADO

RATING:                 EF-1
PEAK WIND:              90 MPH
PATH LENGTH:            7.4 MILES
PATH WIDTH MAXIMUM:     150 YARDS
FATALITIES:             0
INJURIES:               0

START DATE:             JUN 22 2015
START TIME:             917 PM CDT
START LOCATION:         5.6 MILES NORTH OF SENECA IL
START LAT/LON:          41.3996 / -88.6139

END DATE:               JUN 22 2015
END TIME:               929 PM CDT
END LOCATION:           3.0 MILES WEST-SOUTHWEST OF MORRIS IL
END LAT/LON:            41.3552 / -88.4915

SURVEY SUMMARY: THIS TORNADO WAS DETERMINED BASED ON REPORTS
FROM TRAINED STORM SPOTTERS AND PHOTOS OF DAMAGE COUPLED WITH
RADAR. DAMAGE INCLUDED A FEW SNAPPED LARGE TREES AND MINOR
STRUCTURAL DAMAGE TO OUTBUILDINGS. THIS TORNADO CROSSED
INTERSTATE 80 NEAR THE SENECA EXIT. DURING THIS TIME...TRAINED
STORM SPOTTERS REPORTED STRONG REAR-FLANK DOWNDRAFT WINDS TO
THE SOUTH OF THE PATH WHICH DID LEAD TO SOME MINOR DAMAGE.

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.TORNADO #9: MAZON AREA TORNADO

RATING:                 EF-1
ESTIMATED PEAK WIND:    95 MPH
PATH LENGTH:            0.8 MILES
PATH WIDTH MAXIMUM:     100 YARDS
FATALITIES:             0
INJURIES:               0

START DATE:             JUNE 22 2015
START TIME:             943 PM CDT
START LOCATION:         3.5 MILES NORTHEAST OF MAZON IL
START LAT/LON:          41.2802 / -88.3818

END DATE:               JUNE 22 2015
END TIME:               946 PM CDT
ESTIMATED END LOCATION: 4.0 MILES NORTHEAST OF MAZON IL
ESTIMATED END LAT/LON:  41.2806 / -88.3669

SURVEY SUMMARY: PORTION OF A HOUSE ROOF BLOWN OFF. LARGE TREE
SNAPPED AT RESIDENCE.

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.TORNADO #10: COAL CITY TO BRAIDWOOD TORNADO

RATING:                 EF-3
ESTIMATED PEAK WIND:    160 MPH
PATH LENGTH:            16.5 MILES
PATH WIDTH MAXIMUM:     THREE-QUARTERS OF A MILE.
FATALITIES:             0
INJURIES:               7

START DATE:             JUNE 22 2015
START TIME:             945 PM CDT
START LOCATION:         4 MILES SOUTHEAST OF MORRIS IL
                        4 MILES WEST NORTHWEST OF CARBON HILL IL
START LAT/LON:          41.3082 / -88.3823

END DATE:               JUNE 22 2015
END TIME:               1012 PM CDT
ESTIMATED END LOCATION: 6.9 MILES SOUTHEAST OF BRAIDWOOD IL
ESTIMATED END LAT/LON:  41.2255 / -88.0897

SURVEY SUMMARY: DOZENS OF HOMES HEAVILY DAMAGED IN COAL CITY WITH
THREE COMPLETELY DESTROYED. TWO OF THESE HAD AT LEAST PART OF
THEIR STRUCTURE BOLTED DOWN TO THE FOUNDATION WITH THE BOLTS
SECURED BY NUTS. TWO HIGH TENSION METAL TRUSSES WERE DOWNED
INCLUDING ONE THAT WAS CRUMPLED. HUNDREDS OF TREES WERE SNAPPED OR
UPROOTED. NUMEROUS UTILITY POLES WERE DOWNED. THIS TORNADO DID
CROSS PART OF THE PROPERTY OF THE BRAIDWOOD NUCLEAR GENERATING
STATION CAUSING TREE DAMAGE.

NOTES: THIS WAS THE STRONGEST TORNADO TO STRIKE GRUNDY COUNTY
SINCE AN F3 TORNADO ON JULY 17 1972.

THIS TORNADO CROSSED THE PATH OF AN EF-2 WHICH STRUCK 19 MONTHS
EARLIER ON NOVEMBER 17 2013.

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.TORNADO #11: BOURBONNAIS TORNADO

RATING:                 EF-1
ESTIMATED PEAK WIND:    90 MPH
PATH LENGTH:            2.3 MILES
PATH WIDTH MAXIMUM:     300 YARDS
FATALITIES:             0
INJURIES:               0

START DATE:             JUNE 22 2015
START TIME:             1008 PM CDT
START LOCATION:         2.1 MILES NORTHWEST OF BOURBONNAIS IL
START LAT/LON:          41.1785 / -87.8896

END DATE:               JUNE 22 2015
END TIME:               1012 PM CDT
ESTIMATED END LOCATION: 1.1 MILES NORTHEAST OF BOURBONNAIS IL
ESTIMATED END LAT/LON:  41.1647 / -87.8507

SURVEY SUMMARY: ALMOST ENTIRELY TREE DAMAGE. NUMEROUS TREE TOPS
SNAPPED WITH A HANDFUL OF FULL TREES UPROOTED. A COUPLE TREES
SNAPPED.

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.TORNADO #12: HERSCHER AND CHEBANSE AREA TORNADO (5 MILES EAST-SOUTHEAST)

RATING:                 EF-0
ESTIMATED PEAK WIND:    75 MPH
PATH LENGTH:            1.0 MILE
PATH WIDTH MAXIMUM:     50 YARDS
FATALITIES:             0
INJURIES:               0

START DATE:             JUNE 22 2015
START TIME:             1146 PM CDT
START LOCATION:         4.7 MILES SOUTHEAST OF HERSCHER IL
START LAT/LON:          41.0155 / -88.0138

END DATE:               JUNE 22 2015
END TIME:               1148 PM CDT
ESTIMATED END LOCATION: 4.4 WEST-NORTHWEST OF CHEBANSE IL
ESTIMATED END LAT/LON:  41.0124 / -87.9947

THE TORNADO BRIEFLY TOUCHED DOWN AND DID NO DAMAGE. THIS WAS REPORTED
BY A TRAINED STORM SPOTTER AND LAW ENFORCEMENT.

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EF SCALE: THE ENHANCED FUJITA SCALE CLASSIFIES
TORNADOES INTO THE FOLLOWING CATEGORIES.

EF0...WEAK......65 TO 85 MPH
EF1...WEAK......86 TO 110 MPH
EF2...STRONG....111 TO 135 MPH
EF3...STRONG....136 TO 165 MPH
EF4...VIOLENT...166 TO 200 MPH
EF5...VIOLENT...>200 MPH

$$

FRIEDLEIN/GENSINI/AUTEN/DUBBERKE/BORCHARDT/PIECHOTA/CASTRO/NEAL/NIXON

Rainfall

Meteorology & Radar

Radar Loop from 6 PM CDT June 22nd to 1AM CDT June 23rd

 

Climatology

• The EF-3 Coal City to Braidwood tornado was the strongest tornado in Grundy County since an F3 tornado struck on July 17, 1972.
• The EF-2 Woodhaven Lakes and Sublette area tornado was the strongest tornado damage within Lee County since an F2 tornado struck on July 8, 1993.
• The three tornadoes in Lee County were the most in that county in one calendar day on record (since 1950).
• The EF-3 Coal City to Braidwood tornado crossed the path of the Coal City and Diamond area tornado of November 17, 2013:

Other Links

- Northwest Illinois Tornadoes of June 22, 2015  NWS Davenport

- Event Review Page  NWS Storm Prediction Center

- NWS Chicago Science & Past Events Page