Many of these only affected open fields. However, one tornado did cause extensive damage near and east of Chatham. One tornado just south of Lake Springfield was unusual in that it had a clockwise rotation, in contrast to the usual counter-clockwise rotation found in tornadoes. The thunderstorms that produced these tornadoes caused a large swath of destruction from strong winds extending from southwestern Morgan County east to far southwestern Macon County. Most flood casualties occur in vehicles, when people try to drive across flooded roads.
Flash floods are most frequent in mid to late summer, but they can occur anytime.
A 3-day heat wave with highs of 100 degrees or higher was in progress across central Illinois. High temperatures of 111 degrees at Rushville and 108 degrees at Springfield set August records for those locations. August record highs of 106 degrees were also recorded at Decatur and Lincoln. Tornadoes also touched down near Litchfield, Mattoon, and Effingham. Among the many heat-related records established during the summer of 1936 was the number of days with highs 90 degrees or higher.