A line of severe thunderstorms produced widespread wind damage as it crossed southern Illinois from west to east. A few intense microbursts with winds over 70 MPH were embedded within the line. The brunt of the damage was in a swath extending from southwest of Mount Vernon (including Perry County) across Franklin and Saline Counties to Gallatin and White Counties. The first intense microburst was about 5 miles east of Sesser in Franklin County, where three camper trailers were damaged at Wayne Fitzgerrell State Park and a dozen trees were blown down. One of the campers was overturned onto its top. Two persons in campers received broken bones, but the injuries were not life-threatening. The dimensions of this microburst, with peak winds of 75 MPH, were about 200 by 300 yards. A larger and more intense downburst occurred in Gallatin County at New Haven. Estimated winds to 105 MPH downed numerous trees, including at least 10 that fell on houses. A couple of trailers were reportedly overturned. The dimensions of the damage area were about 4 to 5 miles long and 200 yards wide. Across Franklin, northern Williamson, Saline, Gallatin, and White Counties, trees were down across primary roads. In Williamson County, trees were blocking Interstate 57 around mile marker 60, and Route 37 was blocked at the Franklin County line. Other fallen trees resulted in vehicle accidents with injuries. About 2 miles north of Harrisburg in Saline County, two vehicles collided with a fallen tree that was blocking Route 34. In White County, one fatality occurred when a vehicle ran into a fallen tree (indirect storm fatality). A total of six persons were involved in this fatal accident on Route 1 near Norris City. A tree fell on one car, and then a second car collided with the tree. Some of the six people were injured and trapped in their vehicles. Near the Gallatin/White County line, trees blocked Route 141 leading to the Wabash River bridge. Across southern Illinois, most damage to  structures was caused by falling trees,  however three barns were damaged directly by wind north and east of Tamaroa in Perry County. Pieces were blown 200 yards from the barn. Multiple trees were blown down across Jefferson, Franklin, Jackson, northern Williamson, northern Saline, White, and Gallatin Counties, as well as north of Pinckneyville in Perry County. A number of trees landed on vehicles and houses. In Benton (in Franklin County), an 85-foot oak tree landed across a house and four vehicles, extensively damaging or destroying the vehicles. Separate from the widespread wind damage, a supercell thunderstorm developed in Edwards County, then moved east across Wabash County and the Wabash River. This storm produced hail the size of quarters in Mount Carmel and golf balls at Allendale. In Edwards County, numerous trees and power lines were blown down, from west of Albion into the city of Albion. Across most of Wabash County, numerous trees were blown down, causing many power outages.

Thunderstorm Wind in HAMILTON, ILLINOIS
From 27-MAY-04 20:15:00 to 27-MAY-04 20:15:00 (CST)
Location: MC LEANSBORO
Magnitude: 50 EG
Reported by: LAW ENFORCEMENT

Thunderstorm Wind in FRANKLIN, ILLINOIS
From 27-MAY-04 20:00:00 to 27-MAY-04 20:15:00 (CST)
Location: COUNTYWIDE
Magnitude: 65 EG
Property damage: 70K
Reported by: NWS STORM SURVEY

Hail in FRANKLIN, ILLINOIS
From 27-MAY-04 20:10:00 to 27-MAY-04 20:10:00 (CST)
Location: SESSER
Magnitude: 1.00 
Reported by: TRAINED SPOTTER

Thunderstorm Wind in JACKSON, ILLINOIS
From 27-MAY-04 20:25:00 to 27-MAY-04 20:25:00 (CST)
Location: MURPHYSBORO
Magnitude: 52 EG
Property damage: 4K
Reported by: TRAINED SPOTTER

Thunderstorm Wind in SALINE, ILLINOIS
From 27-MAY-04 20:30:00 to 27-MAY-04 20:40:00 (CST)
Location: GALATIA
Magnitude: 52 EG
Reported by: TRAINED SPOTTER

Thunderstorm Wind in WILLIAMSON, ILLINOIS
From 27-MAY-04 20:30:00 to 27-MAY-04 20:30:00 (CST)
Location: CARTERVILLE
Magnitude: 56 EG
Reported by: TRAINED SPOTTER

Hail in WHITE, ILLINOIS
From 27-MAY-04 20:45:00 to 27-MAY-04 20:45:00 (CST)
Location: NORRIS CITY
Magnitude: 0.88 
Reported by: TRAINED SPOTTER

Thunderstorm Wind in WHITE, ILLINOIS
From 27-MAY-04 20:30:00 to 27-MAY-04 20:45:00 (CST)
Location: COUNTYWIDE
Magnitude: 55 EG
Property damage: 25K
Reported by: LAW ENFORCEMENT

Thunderstorm Wind in GALLATIN, ILLINOIS
From 27-MAY-04 20:55:00 to 27-MAY-04 21:10:00 (CST)
Location: COUNTYWIDE
Magnitude: 90 EG
Property damage: 250K
Reported by: BROADCAST MEDIA

Hail in JEFFERSON, ILLINOIS
From 27-MAY-04 19:25:00 to 27-MAY-04 19:25:00 (CST)
Location: WOODLAWN
Magnitude: 0.88 
Reported by: TRAINED SPOTTER

Thunderstorm Wind in JEFFERSON, ILLINOIS
From 27-MAY-04 19:30:00 to 27-MAY-04 19:45:00 (CST)
Location: COUNTYWIDE
Magnitude: 52 EG
Reported by: BROADCAST MEDIA

Thunderstorm Wind in PERRY, ILLINOIS
From 27-MAY-04 19:45:00 to 27-MAY-04 20:00:00 (CST)
Location: PINCKNEYVILLE
Magnitude: 52 EG
Property damage: 4K
Reported by: EMERGENCY MANAGER

Thunderstorm Wind in EDWARDS, ILLINOIS
From 27-MAY-04 19:55:00 to 27-MAY-04 19:59:00 (CST)
Location: ALBION
Magnitude: 50 EG
Property damage: 4K
Reported by: LAW ENFORCEMENT

Thunderstorm Wind in WABASH, ILLINOIS
From 27-MAY-04 19:45:00 to 27-MAY-04 20:00:00 (CST)
Location: COUNTYWIDE
Magnitude: 50 EG
Property damage: 4K
Reported by: LAW ENFORCEMENT

Hail in WABASH, ILLINOIS
From 27-MAY-04 19:59:00 to 27-MAY-04 20:05:00 (CST)
Location: ALLENDALE
Magnitude: 1.75 
Reported by: LAW ENFORCEMENT

Thunderstorm Wind in JACKSON, ILLINOIS
From 27-MAY-04 20:05:00 to 27-MAY-04 20:05:00 (CST)
Location: CAMPBELL HILL
Magnitude: 50 EG
Property damage: 2K
Reported by: TRAINED SPOTTER