A strong 500 mb shortwave moved rapidly northeast from the Plains during the day. The shortwave became a closed low over the Great Lakes region by the evening hours. In the lower levels, a strong southwest 850 mb jet from 60 to 65 knots shifted east from the Ozarks across southern Illinois. These features provided sufficient shear and instability for a significant tornado.

Funnel Cloud in ALEXANDER, ILLINOIS
From 08-MAR-09 12:04:00 to 08-MAR-09 12:04:00 (CST-6)
Location: MC CLURE
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Emergency Manager

Funnel clouds were reported near Mcclure heading toward Union County.

Hail in JOHNSON, ILLINOIS
From 08-MAR-09 12:25:00 to 08-MAR-09 12:25:00 (CST-6)
Location: BELKNAP
Magnitude: 0.75 
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Trained Spotter

Tornado in JEFFERSON, ILLINOIS
From 08-MAR-09 11:34:00 to 08-MAR-09 11:38:00 (CST-6)
Location: STRATTON
Tornado F-scale: EF0
Property damage: 12.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: NWS Storm Survey

Large tree limbs were broken. Four power poles were knocked over. Peak winds were estimated near 85 mph. The tornado continued into Wayne County.

Tornado in WAYNE, ILLINOIS
From 08-MAR-09 11:38:00 to 08-MAR-09 11:39:00 (CST-6)
Location: ORCHARDVILLE
Tornado F-scale: EF0
Property damage: 80.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: NWS Storm Survey

The tornado continued from Jefferson County just a short distance into Wayne County. A grain bin was thrown about 100 yards. A storage bin was toppled. A farm auger was knocked over. Metal decking or shingles were stripped off barns. There was shingle and siding damage to homes. Peak winds were estimated near 85 mph.

Hail in WAYNE, ILLINOIS
From 08-MAR-09 11:55:00 to 08-MAR-09 11:55:00 (CST-6)
Location: FAIRFIELD
Magnitude: 1.00 
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Trained Spotter

Thunderstorm Wind in JEFFERSON, ILLINOIS
From 08-MAR-09 11:25:00 to 08-MAR-09 11:29:00 (CST-6)
Location: WOODLAWN
Magnitude: 52.00 EG
Property damage: 2.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Broadcast Media

Several trees were blown down.

Tornado in JEFFERSON, ILLINOIS
From 08-MAR-09 11:27:00 to 08-MAR-09 11:30:00 (CST-6)
Location: TEXICO
Tornado F-scale: EF1
Property damage: 60.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: NWS Storm Survey

The roof was partially blown off a school. At several properties, large and small equipment sheds were destroyed. Shingle and siding damage occurred at several homes. Trees were topped and uprooted. Carports were knocked over. Peak winds were estimated at 95 mph.

Tornado in WAYNE, ILLINOIS
From 08-MAR-09 11:42:00 to 08-MAR-09 11:56:00 (CST-6)
Location: WAYNE CITY
Tornado F-scale: EF1
Property damage: 40.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: NWS Storm Survey

Intermittent damage was observed along the path of this tornado, which contained peak winds near 100 mph. Most of the damage was tree damage. Some trees were snapped and uprooted. Two structures were damaged, including a mobile home that was not tied down. The mobile home was rolled while a man was inside. He suffered broken ribs. The other damaged structure was a 40-by-60 foot storage shed. About one third of the shed was blown over a storage barn into a house, causing significant damage to the house. Debris was blown into a field across the street. A power pole was blown down. The tornado was witnessed about four miles north of Sims in the middle of a field. It was described as a black rotating cloud.

Tornado in WAYNE, ILLINOIS
From 08-MAR-09 11:58:00 to 08-MAR-09 12:03:00 (CST-6)
Location: ENTERPRISE
Tornado F-scale: EF2
Property damage: 90.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: NWS Storm Survey

Several structures were damaged. Half of the roof was blown off one house. A well-built storage barn was blown into another house. Debris was blown several hundred yards. Debris from a house impacted a second house 250 yards away. The second house had only minor structural damage. A large metal barn partially caved in when a small grain elevator blew onto it. Peak winds were estimated near 122 mph. The tornado crossed into Clay County.