Supercell thunderstorms developed along a pre-frontal low pressure trough over Missouri and then moved east across southern Illinois. Very strong wind fields coupled with moderate amounts of instability resulted in several supercell thunderstorms, some of which produced tornadoes. The storms moved through the warm sector of a low pressure system characterized by mixed-layer capes around 1000 j/kg. Southerly surface winds transported rich low-level moisture north of the Ohio River, with dew points in the mid 60's. Areas of partial sunshine immediately preceding the convection bolstered instability. The low level wind shear was very strong, with 0 to 1 km storm-relative helicity at or above 500. Strong southerly surface winds ahead of the storms gusted to around 45 mph from Mount Vernon to Carbondale during the midday hours.

Tornado in POPE, ILLINOIS
From 17-NOV-13 14:26:00 to 17-NOV-13 14:29:00 (CST-6)
Location: NEW LIBERTY
Tornado F-scale: EF2
Property damage: 500.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: NWS Storm Survey

The tornado crossed into Pope County from Massac County. The most intense damage in Pope County was rated EF-2 with estimated 130 mph peak winds. At least two mobile homes were completely destroyed. The mobile home units separated from their frame undercarriage and were rolled several times. The tornado continued east across the Ohio River into Livingston County, Kentucky. The total path length of this tornado was 42 miles. The parent supercell tracked from southeast Missouri across the Mississippi River through the Paducah area, then east to the Kentucky Lake area of western Kentucky.

Tornado in WAYNE, ILLINOIS
From 17-NOV-13 13:29:00 to 17-NOV-13 13:31:00 (CST-6)
Location: GOLDEN GATE
Tornado F-scale: EF1
Property damage: 10.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: NWS Storm Survey

This tornado began in extreme eastern Wayne County about one mile from the Edwards County line. The peak intensity rating in Wayne County was EF-1, but the tornado strengthened to EF-2 in Edwards County. In Wayne County, damage was mainly to trees, many of which were snapped or uprooted. The tornado moved into Edwards County. This tornado was spawned by the same supercell that produced the EF-2 tornado that tracked from Sims to Fairfield in Wayne County.

Tornado in EDWARDS, ILLINOIS
From 17-NOV-13 13:31:00 to 17-NOV-13 13:44:00 (CST-6)
Location: BLACK
Tornado F-scale: EF2
Property damage: 200.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: NWS Storm Survey

The tornado crossed into Edwards County from Wayne County. Numerous trees were snapped or uprooted. A new addition to a house was destroyed. An attached garage was destroyed, with two vehicles turned 180 degrees. Two 100-year-old barns were totally destroyed. Several 100-year-old trees were snapped or uprooted. Other residences in the area sustained minor damage. The estimated peak winds in this tornado were 130 mph. The maximum intensity was attained just west of Illinois Route 130, almost due north of Albion. A second shorter track EF-2 tornado occurred simultaneously just south of this tornado. Both tornadoes were witnessed on the ground at the same time. This tornado was spawned by the same supercell that produced the EF-2 tornado that tracked from Sims to Fairfield in Wayne County.

Tornado in EDWARDS, ILLINOIS
From 17-NOV-13 13:33:00 to 17-NOV-13 13:38:00 (CST-6)
Location: BLACK
Tornado F-scale: EF2
Property damage: 150.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: NWS Storm Survey

This tornado travelled just south of and nearly parallel to another EF-2 tornado. Two machine sheds were destroyed along with a barn. Several trees were snapped. More than one eyewitness saw both tornadoes on the ground at the same time. Peak winds were estimated near 110 mph. This tornado was spawned by the same supercell that produced the EF-2 tornado that tracked from Sims to Fairfield in Wayne County.

Tornado in JEFFERSON, ILLINOIS
From 17-NOV-13 13:05:00 to 17-NOV-13 13:06:00 (CST-6)
Location: OPDYKE
Tornado F-scale: EF1
Property damage: 3.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: NWS Storm Survey

Several trees were snapped during this brief touchdown on the north side of Interstate 64. Peak winds were estimated near 105 mph.

Tornado in WABASH, ILLINOIS
From 17-NOV-13 13:44:00 to 17-NOV-13 13:54:00 (CST-6)
Location: GARDS PT
Tornado F-scale: EF2
Property damage: 250.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: NWS Storm Survey

Four homes were damaged, and two mobile homes were destroyed. One mobile home was thrown across the road and the frame was wrapped around a tree. One woman inside was injured. Another nearby mobile home was turned on its side. One home had part of the roof lifted off. The garage of the residence was destroyed, but most of the articles inside were left untouched. Debris from this residence was thrown several hundred yards. Several outbuildings were destroyed. Peak winds in this tornado were estimated near 125 mph. The peak intensity occurred almost due north of Mount Carmel. This tornado was spawned by the same supercell that produced EF-2 tornadoes in Wayne and Edwards Counties.

Tornado in WAYNE, ILLINOIS
From 17-NOV-13 13:08:00 to 17-NOV-13 13:20:00 (CST-6)
Location: SIMS
Tornado F-scale: EF2
Property damage: 150.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: NWS Storm Survey

This tornado touched down on the southwest side of Sims. It quickly intensified and destroyed a double wide mobile home on the northeast side of Sims. The tornado continued northeast and crossed Highway 15, producing tree and power pole damage. The tornado moved east across the Wayne County landfill, damaging the building on the grounds. The tornado continued into the north side of Fairfield, producing mainly minor damage to homes. Peak winds in this tornado were estimated near 135 mph. The maximum intensity was on the northeast side of Sims.

Funnel Cloud in FRANKLIN, ILLINOIS
From 17-NOV-13 12:43:00 to 17-NOV-13 12:50:00 (CST-6)
Location: CHRISTOPHER
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Trained Spotter

Funnel Cloud in WILLIAMSON, ILLINOIS
From 17-NOV-13 13:08:00 to 17-NOV-13 13:08:00 (CST-6)
Location: MARION
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Public

Thunderstorm Wind in SALINE, ILLINOIS
From 17-NOV-13 13:35:00 to 17-NOV-13 13:35:00 (CST-6)
Location: HARRISBURG
Magnitude: 52.00 EG
Property damage: 4.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Trained Spotter

Downed tree limbs were reported.

Funnel Cloud in PULASKI, ILLINOIS
From 17-NOV-13 13:48:00 to 17-NOV-13 13:48:00 (CST-6)
Location: MOUND CITY
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Trained Spotter

The funnel cloud was reported to be moving eastward.

Thunderstorm Wind in WILLIAMSON, ILLINOIS
From 17-NOV-13 13:03:00 to 17-NOV-13 13:03:00 (CST-6)
Location: CARTERVILLE
Magnitude: 61.00 MG
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Amateur Radio

Ham radio operators reported a wind gust to 70 mph.

Strong Wind in JACKSON, ILLINOIS
From 17-NOV-13 10:00:00 to 17-NOV-13 13:30:00 (CST-6)
Magnitude: 42.00 MG
Property damage: 1.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: ASOS

Strong Wind in JEFFERSON, ILLINOIS
From 17-NOV-13 10:00:00 to 17-NOV-13 13:30:00 (CST-6)
Magnitude: 39.00 EG
Property damage: 1.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: AWOS

Strong Wind in PERRY, ILLINOIS
From 17-NOV-13 10:00:00 to 17-NOV-13 13:30:00 (CST-6)
Magnitude: 39.00 EG
Property damage: 1.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: AWOS

Strong Wind in PERRY, ILLINOIS
From 17-NOV-13 10:00:00 to 17-NOV-13 13:30:00 (CST-6)
Magnitude: 39.00 EG
Property damage: 1.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: AWOS

Tornado in MASSAC, ILLINOIS
From 17-NOV-13 14:20:00 to 17-NOV-13 14:26:00 (CST-6)
Location: BROOKPORT
Tornado F-scale: EF3
Property damage: 5.50M
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: NWS Storm Survey

The tornado crossed the Ohio River from McCracken County, Kentucky into Massac County, Illinois. Video of the tornado taken by a barge operator as it crossed the Ohio River indicated it was completely rain-wrapped. This long-track tornado attained its peak intensity as it came onshore into Brookport, a small community along the Ohio River. Peak winds here were estimated near 145 mph. About a half dozen mobile homes were obliterated. Dozens of mobile homes were destroyed, many of which were blown 100 feet or more. Three mobile home residents were killed. A 62-year-old woman died at a local hospital within hours of sustaining blunt force trauma injuries in the tornado. A 58-year-old woman died at her residence as a result of blunt force trauma injuries. A 56-year-old man also died of blunt force trauma injuries sustained at his residence. An exact injury count was unavailable, but local hospitals reported over two dozen injuries. The Metropolis hospital reported 15 victims were brought to the emergency room, with no patient admissions. Three patients were transferred to other hospitals by air or ambulance. Injuries ranged from cuts and scrapes to broken bones and head injuries. One home was leveled. Dozens of homes, garages, storage buildings, businesses, and other buildings were structurally damaged. Emergency management officials reported 233 residences were affected from Brookport east to the Pope County line. 130 of those homes were habitable with minor to moderate damage, 27 were uninhabitable, and 76 homes were destroyed. 184 were located in the city of Brookport, and 49 were outside the city limits. Several cars and a school bus were tossed around. Hundreds if not thousands of trees were snapped and uprooted. The tornado caused some minor damage to guard rails on the Ohio River bridge that carries traffic from Paducah to Brookport on U.S. Highway 45. The tornado continued east along Unionville Road, eventually crossing into Pope County. The total path length of this tornado was 42 miles. The parent supercell tracked from southeast Missouri across the Mississippi River through the Paducah area, then east to the Kentucky Lake area of western Kentucky.