A vigorous upper-level disturbance in conjunction with a warm front lifting northward through central Illinois triggered strong to severe thunderstorms during the afternoon and evening of August 19th.  Embedded supercells within a long line of storms produced enhanced wind damage and tornadoes.  Seven tornadoes touched down on August 19th, affecting parts of Scott, Morgan, Sangamon, Logan, DeWitt, McLean, and Vermilion counties.  The strongest tornado was rated as an EF3 by an NWS Storm Survey as it tracked across southern Logan County. Total damages to crops and property from the 7 tornadoes were estimated to be more than $25 Million.

Thunderstorm Wind in CUMBERLAND, ILLINOIS
From 19-AUG-09 16:48:00 to 19-AUG-09 16:49:00 (CST-6)
Location: NEOGA
Magnitude: 52.00 EG
Property damage: 15.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Law Enforcement

Numerous trees and power lines were blown down in Neoga.

Thunderstorm Wind in TAZEWELL, ILLINOIS
From 19-AUG-09 14:30:00 to 19-AUG-09 14:31:00 (CST-6)
Location: MACKINAW
Magnitude: 52.00 EG
Property damage: 8.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: COOP Observer

Several 9-inch diameter tree limbs were blown down in Mackinaw.

Tornado in SANGAMON, ILLINOIS
From 19-AUG-09 14:19:00 to 19-AUG-09 14:26:00 (CST-6)
Location: WILLIAMSVILLE
Tornado F-scale: EF3
Property damage: 11.00M
Crop damage: 75.00K
Reported by: NWS Storm Survey

The tornado touched down on the west side of Williamsville, just west of I-55, at 319 PM CST.  It destroyed an antique mall, damaged the Casey's gas station building and collapsed the canopy over the gas pumps.  One person was injured at the mall, while 2 motorcyclists were injured when they were thrown from their bikes.  The tornado moved northeast through Williamsville and hit a church, throwing a 2-horse trailer onto the roof and collapsing the roof over half of the building.  One person inside the church was injured.  The tornado continued through the northern portion of town, causing damage to numerous trees and several homes.  Two homes lost their roof and several others lost a portion of their roof.  The tornado also caved in the southern end of a metal building, part of an agricultural business on the edge of town.  A total of 12 additional people were injured by tornado debris in the town of Williamsville. The width of the tornado through town ranged from 100 to 150 yards.  The maximum wind speed of 135 mph (EF2) in Williamsville was determined from the damage to the church. A total of 10 houses were destroyed and 35 houses damaged in Williamsville. A total of six businesses and non-residential properties were destroyed.
The tornado continued east-northeast and flattened cornfields, damaged farm outbuildings and machine sheds, and damaged homes, garages, and vehicles on Lester Rd.  Two houses were completely destroyed, and four others had extensive damage, as the tornado widened to 600 yards at this point.  A 19-month-old baby was injured as the family home was hit by the tornado.
The maximum wind speed at this point was estimated at 140 mph (EF3).  The tornado continued through fields, causing extensive crop damage, until crossing into Logan County around 326 PM CST.  Path length through Sangamon County was 4.5 miles.

Flash Flood in CLARK, ILLINOIS
From 19-AUG-09 19:00:00 to 20-AUG-09 00:00:00 (CST-6)
Location: OILFIELD
Flood cause: Heavy Rain
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Emergency Manager

Thunderstorms produced 2 to 4 inches of rainfall within two hours in western Clark County. Extensive street flooding was reported in Casey and Martinsville. Traffic was significantly impacted along I-70 due to areas of standing water on the highway.

Tornado in VERMILION, ILLINOIS
From 19-AUG-09 16:10:00 to 19-AUG-09 16:18:00 (CST-6)
Location: JAMESBURG
Tornado F-scale: EF0
Property damage: 80.00K
Crop damage: 15.00K
Reported by: Emergency Manager

The tornado touched down 3.5 miles northeast of Collision at 410 PM CST, and lifted at 418 PM CST one-half mile southeast of Henning.  It damaged two homes and numerous outbuildings in addition to crop and tree damage.

Flash Flood in SHELBY, ILLINOIS
From 19-AUG-09 19:26:00 to 20-AUG-09 00:00:00 (CST-6)
Location: FANCHER
Flood cause: Heavy Rain
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: COOP Observer

Observers reported 2 to 3 inches of rain in a two hour period. Several rural roads and ditches in southeast Shelby County were impassible as a result of the heavy rain.

Flash Flood in JASPER, ILLINOIS
From 19-AUG-09 19:30:00 to 20-AUG-09 00:00:00 (CST-6)
Location: ISLAND GROVE
Flood cause: Heavy Rain
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Emergency Manager

Heavy rainfall measuring 4 to 5 inches in a two hour period produced extensive rainfall in the northwest corner of Jasper County. Most roads were flooded in and near rural sections east of Montrose.

Tornado in MORGAN, ILLINOIS
From 19-AUG-09 13:46:00 to 19-AUG-09 13:51:00 (CST-6)
Location: FRANKLIN
Tornado F-scale: EF1
Property damage: 100.00K
Crop damage: 60.00K
Reported by: NWS Storm Survey

The tornado touched down in extreme eastern Morgan County 2 miles northeast of Franklin at 146 PM CST, then crossed into Sangamon County at 151 PM CST.  The tornado then continued northeastward across Sangamon County, impacting the southern edge of the town of Loami before lifting 1.5 miles nortwest of Chatham at 208 PM CST.  Major tree and crop damage occurred along the path of the tornado in eastern Morgan County.

Tornado in SANGAMON, ILLINOIS
From 19-AUG-09 14:17:00 to 19-AUG-09 14:37:00 (CST-6)
Location: TORONTO
Tornado F-scale: EF1
Property damage: 200.00K
Crop damage: 240.00K
Reported by: NWS Storm Survey

The tornado touched down 6 miles south-southeast of Springfield on the west banks of Lake Springfield at 217 PM CST.  The tornado then crossed the lake and continued northeastward just southeast of Rochester before lifting 2 miles south-southeast of Mechanicsburg at 237 PM CST.  Several large trees were snapped off along the west shore of Lake Springfield as the tornado first touched down.  Numerous trees and tree branches were knocked down further east along the path of the storm, with a few structures damaged by falling limbs, including the Lake Springfield Yacht Club.  In addition, widespread crop damage was observed.

Tornado in LOGAN, ILLINOIS
From 19-AUG-09 14:26:00 to 19-AUG-09 15:02:00 (CST-6)
Location: ELKHART
Tornado F-scale: EF3
Property damage: 7.20M
Crop damage: 1.00M
Reported by: NWS Storm Survey

The tornado moved into Logan county from Sangamon county at 326 PM CST and continued heading northeast.  It widened to 1/2 mile at several locations along its path. The tornado destroyed 7 houses and damaged 15 others. Numerous grain bins and outbuildings were also destroyed. Crop losses were extensive along the 20 mile path and were estimated to be around $1 Million. Two people sustained injuries when the shed they were seeking shelter in was destroyed.
Wind speeds were estimated at 140 mph as the tornado crossed from Sangamon County, decreasing to 110 to 120 mph as it moved to areas between Lincoln and Mt. Pulaski.   The tornado continued northeast before weakening to speeds of 90 to 100 mph, with a width of 50 to 100 yards.  The tornado dissipated just east of Beason at 402 PM CST.  The path length in Logan County was nearly 20 miles.

Tornado in MCLEAN, ILLINOIS
From 19-AUG-09 15:27:00 to 19-AUG-09 15:34:00 (CST-6)
Location: HOLDER
Tornado F-scale: EF0
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 4.00K
Reported by: Storm Chaser

The tornado developed in an open field 3 miles south of the town of Holder. Damage was minimal, and was confined to crops. The tornado dissipated on the west edge of a large wind farm, about 3 miles to the southeast of Holder.

Tornado in DE WITT, ILLINOIS
From 19-AUG-09 15:04:00 to 19-AUG-09 15:09:00 (CST-6)
Location: MIDLAND CITY
Tornado F-scale: EF0
Property damage: 10.00K
Crop damage: 8.00K
Reported by: NWS Storm Survey

A tornado developed in an open field about 5.2 miles south-southwest of Waynesville, or about 0.2 mile east of the Logan/DeWitt County line and 1 mile north of Illinois Route 10. The tornado did damage to crops and trees before it dissipated about 3.5 miles south-southeast of Waynesville.

Thunderstorm Wind in TAZEWELL, ILLINOIS
From 19-AUG-09 14:30:00 to 19-AUG-09 14:31:00 (CST-6)
Location: MACKINAW
Magnitude: 52.00 EG
Property damage: 12.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: COOP Observer

Several large tree limbs were blown down near Mackinaw and Heritage Lake.

Thunderstorm Wind in PIATT, ILLINOIS
From 19-AUG-09 15:20:00 to 19-AUG-09 15:21:00 (CST-6)
Location: MONTICELLO
Magnitude: 52.00 EG
Property damage: 25.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Newspaper

A large tree was blown onto a home on the east side of Monticello.  A nearby barn had its doors ripped off and part of its roof damaged.

Thunderstorm Wind in TAZEWELL, ILLINOIS
From 19-AUG-09 14:50:00 to 19-AUG-09 14:51:00 (CST-6)
Location: STOEHRS STATION
Magnitude: 52.00 EG
Property damage: 65.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Newspaper

A machine shed was destroyed and a barn was pushed off its foundation at a farm in far northwestern Tazewell County.  In addition, windows were broken out and several trees were broken off or uprooted.

Thunderstorm Wind in MACON, ILLINOIS
From 19-AUG-09 15:05:00 to 19-AUG-09 15:06:00 (CST-6)
Location: DECATUR
Magnitude: 52.00 EG
Property damage: 15.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Law Enforcement

Several trees were blown onto power lines in Decatur.

Thunderstorm Wind in COLES, ILLINOIS
From 19-AUG-09 16:30:00 to 19-AUG-09 16:31:00 (CST-6)
Location: MATTOON
Magnitude: 52.00 EG
Property damage: 17.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Trained Spotter

A tree was blown down near Mattoon High School.  In addition, wind damage occurred to the Mattoon Dispatch Center.

Thunderstorm Wind in SHELBY, ILLINOIS
From 19-AUG-09 16:15:00 to 19-AUG-09 16:16:00 (CST-6)
Location: WINDSOR
Magnitude: 52.00 EG
Property damage: 10.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Law Enforcement

Power lines were blown down in Windsor.

Thunderstorm Wind in MACON, ILLINOIS
From 19-AUG-09 15:05:00 to 19-AUG-09 15:06:00 (CST-6)
Location: DECATUR
Magnitude: 52.00 EG
Property damage: 15.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Newspaper

Several tents were damaged by estimated 60 mph winds at the Farm Progress Show in Decatur.

Flash Flood in EFFINGHAM, ILLINOIS
From 19-AUG-09 19:26:00 to 20-AUG-09 00:00:00 (CST-6)
Location: BEECHER CITY
Flood cause: Heavy Rain
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Mesonet

Around 2 to 3 inches of rain fell in a 2-hour period, causing flash flooding across Effingham County.  Streets were flooded and ditches overflowed in the city of Effingham.

Flash Flood in CUMBERLAND, ILLINOIS
From 19-AUG-09 18:30:00 to 20-AUG-09 00:00:00 (CST-6)
Location: LAKE MATTOON
Flood cause: Heavy Rain
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Law Enforcement

Heavy rainfall in a short amount of time caused flash flooding across Cumberland County.  Several roads had water flowing across them in Neoga. Observers reported 4 to 5 inches of rain within a 3 hour period between 6:00 PM and 9:00 PM CST.

Flood in FULTON, ILLINOIS
From 19-AUG-09 14:18:00 to 19-AUG-09 17:18:00 (CST-6)
Location: LEWISTOWN
Flood cause: Heavy Rain
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Law Enforcement

Heavy rainfall in a short amount of time caused areas of minor flooding in and near Lewistown.  Water flowed across the road at Rt 100 and Taylor Road and numerous streets were flooded in Lewistown.

Thunderstorm Wind in WOODFORD, ILLINOIS
From 19-AUG-09 14:45:00 to 19-AUG-09 14:46:00 (CST-6)
Location: WOODFORD
Magnitude: 52.00 EG
Property damage: 5.00K
Crop damage: 30.00K
Reported by: Emergency Manager

Roofing material was stripped off a building and a nearby cornfield was flattened 3 miles east of Benson near mile marker 23 on I-39.

Thunderstorm Wind in PIATT, ILLINOIS
From 19-AUG-09 15:30:00 to 19-AUG-09 15:31:00 (CST-6)
Location: HAMMOND
Magnitude: 52.00 EG
Property damage: 17.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: COOP Observer

A large tree was blown down onto an apartment building in Hammond.

Thunderstorm Wind in MASON, ILLINOIS
From 19-AUG-09 14:50:00 to 19-AUG-09 14:51:00 (CST-6)
Location: MANITO
Magnitude: 52.00 EG
Property damage: 22.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Mesonet

A 12-inch diameter tree was blown down, damaging an add-on porch in Manito.

Thunderstorm Wind in PIATT, ILLINOIS
From 19-AUG-09 15:20:00 to 19-AUG-09 15:21:00 (CST-6)
Location: MONTICELLO
Magnitude: 52.00 EG
Property damage: 10.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Mesonet

Numerous 3-inch diameter tree limbs were blown down in Monticello.

Thunderstorm Wind in TAZEWELL, ILLINOIS
From 19-AUG-09 14:30:00 to 19-AUG-09 14:31:00 (CST-6)
Location: WASHINGTON
Magnitude: 52.00 EG
Property damage: 15.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Mesonet

Numerous tree limbs were blown down in Washington.

Hail in VERMILION, ILLINOIS
From 19-AUG-09 16:20:00 to 19-AUG-09 16:21:00 (CST-6)
Location: DANVILLE
Magnitude: 1.00 
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Emergency Manager

Thunderstorm Wind in MORGAN, ILLINOIS
From 19-AUG-09 13:14:00 to 19-AUG-09 13:15:00 (CST-6)
Location: WOODSON
Magnitude: 52.00 EG
Property damage: 5.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Emergency Manager

Powerlines were blown down onto Crow Road and Woodson Blacktop.

Thunderstorm Wind in CHRISTIAN, ILLINOIS
From 19-AUG-09 15:05:00 to 19-AUG-09 15:06:00 (CST-6)
Location: TAYLORVILLE
Magnitude: 52.00 EG
Property damage: 30.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Newspaper

Numerous trees and powerlines were blown down in Taylorville.  One residence sustained damage to a garage as a tree fell onto it.

Thunderstorm Wind in WOODFORD, ILLINOIS
From 19-AUG-09 14:44:00 to 19-AUG-09 14:45:00 (CST-6)
Location: EUREKA
Magnitude: 52.00 EG
Property damage: 20.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Emergency Manager

Several trees and power lines were blown down in Eureka.

Thunderstorm Wind in PEORIA, ILLINOIS
From 19-AUG-09 14:18:00 to 19-AUG-09 14:19:00 (CST-6)
Location: PEORIA
Magnitude: 52.00 EG
Property damage: 2.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Emergency Manager

A 9-inch diameter tree was blown down onto Grandview Drive in Peoria.

Thunderstorm Wind in COLES, ILLINOIS
From 19-AUG-09 16:35:00 to 19-AUG-09 16:36:00 (CST-6)
Location: MATTOON
Magnitude: 52.00 EG
Property damage: 16.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Broadcast Media

A couple of semi trailer tankers were damaged at 21st and Marshall in Mattoon.

Thunderstorm Wind in DE WITT, ILLINOIS
From 19-AUG-09 15:12:00 to 19-AUG-09 15:13:00 (CST-6)
Location: OSPUR
Magnitude: 52.00 EG
Property damage: 60.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Law Enforcement

Several trees were blown down across the road between Weldon Springs State Park and Lane.  A few homes and a shed were also damaged.

Tornado in SCOTT, ILLINOIS
From 19-AUG-09 13:14:00 to 19-AUG-09 13:23:00 (CST-6)
Location: ALSEY
Tornado F-scale: EF1
Property damage: 75.00K
Crop damage: 112.00K
Reported by: NWS Storm Survey

The tornado first touched down in the National Weather Service St. Louis County Warning Area (CWA) in Greene County about 3.5 miles southeast of Alsey at 110 PM CST.  The tornado crossed into Scott County at 114 PM CST, then continued northeastward and crossed into Morgan County at 123 PM CST, eventually lifting in western Morgan County 3.5 miles southwest of Franklin at 135 PM CST.  Severe damage occurred to a mobile home north of Manchester and widespread tree and crop damage occurred along the path of the tornado.  The total length of the tornado from Greene County across Scott and Morgan counties was 18 miles.

Tornado in MORGAN, ILLINOIS
From 19-AUG-09 13:23:00 to 19-AUG-09 13:35:00 (CST-6)
Location: MURRAYVILLE
Tornado F-scale: EF1
Property damage: 320.00K
Crop damage: 175.00K
Reported by: NWS Storm Survey

The tornado crossed from Scott County into Morgan County, then lifted 3.5 miles southwest of Franklin at 135 PM CST. Widespread tree and crop damage occurred along its path. Numerous grain bins and sheds were also damaged. The tornado reached a maximum width of 250 yards as it moved across extreme western Morgan County.

Tornado in SANGAMON, ILLINOIS
From 19-AUG-09 13:51:00 to 19-AUG-09 14:16:00 (CST-6)
Location: PROUTY
Tornado F-scale: EF2
Property damage: 4.00M
Crop damage: 330.00K
Reported by: NWS Storm Survey

The tornado crossed into Sangamon County from Morgan County at 151 PM CST, then continued northeastward through the town of Loami before lifting 1.5 miles northwest of Chatham at 208 PM CST.  In Loami, 13 homes were destroyed and 19 homes were severely damaged.  In addition, the tornado produced damage to several homes, farm machinery sheds, trees, and crops along the remainder of its path. Three people sustained minor injuries from flying or falling debris in Loami.