Short lines of thunderstorms with embedded circulations moved across southern Illinois during the afternoon of the 19th. Widespread heavy rain caused isolated flash flooding. The storms occurred just south of a warm front under a very strong southwest low level flow, around 60 knots at 850 mb. An upper level disturbance over the Ozark Mountains contributed to the storms.

Tornado in PERRY, ILLINOIS
From 19-MAR-20 14:44:00 to 19-MAR-20 14:46:00 (CST-6)
Location: SUNFIELD
Tornado F-scale: EF1
Property damage: 300.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: NWS Storm Survey

The tornado started near the community of Sunfield on U.S. Highway 51. At least a dozen homes were damaged, including four with major structural damage. This included numerous broken windows and roof damage. One home had part of its roof decking removed, and another had its attached garage blown apart from the house. At least five camper trailers were blown over, with one lofted over 200 yards across a field. Several outbuildings and garages were partly or completely levelled. Dozens of trees were snapped or uprooted. Some power lines were down. A trained spotter witnessed the tornado. The tornado path crossed Du Quoin Lake and ended on Highway 154. Peak winds were estimated near 100 mph.

Thunderstorm Wind in JEFFERSON, ILLINOIS
From 19-MAR-20 15:09:00 to 19-MAR-20 15:09:00 (CST-6)
Location: INA
Magnitude: 61.00 EG
Property damage: 3.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Law Enforcement

A large sign was blown over on Interstate 57. Traffic was disrupted for a few hours due to debris.

Tornado in JEFFERSON, ILLINOIS
From 19-MAR-20 15:22:00 to 19-MAR-20 15:23:00 (CST-6)
Location: BELLE RIVE
Tornado F-scale: EF0
Property damage: 3.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: NWS Storm Survey

Most of the damage path occurred in Hamilton County, however the tornado started in extreme eastern Jefferson County.  In the short time the tornado was in Jefferson County, large branches were broken. Peak winds were in the EF-0 category in Jefferson County, but the tornado strengthened to EF-1 in Hamilton County. The tornado entered Hamilton County just west of the community of Dahlgren.

Tornado in HAMILTON, ILLINOIS
From 19-MAR-20 15:23:00 to 19-MAR-20 15:26:00 (CST-6)
Location: DAHLGREN
Tornado F-scale: EF1
Property damage: 125.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: NWS Storm Survey

The tornado started in extreme eastern Jefferson County. The tornado moved across the northwest side of Dahlgren in Hamilton County. Several homes sustained roofing or soffit damage. One home had about a quarter of its roof removed and tossed about 50 yards. A few barns were damaged. Two travel trailers were overturned. Dozens of mature trees were snapped or uprooted. Peak winds were estimated near 110 mph.

Thunderstorm Wind in PERRY, ILLINOIS
From 19-MAR-20 14:45:00 to 19-MAR-20 14:45:00 (CST-6)
Location: DU QUOIN
Magnitude: 52.00 EG
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Public

Small tree limbs were broken.

Flash Flood in JEFFERSON, ILLINOIS
From 19-MAR-20 15:32:00 to 19-MAR-20 17:30:00 (CST-6)
Location: (MVN)MT VERNON ARPT
Flood cause: Heavy Rain
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Emergency Manager

Casey Fork Creek on the east side of Mount Vernon came out of its banks. Minor street flooding was reported in Mount Vernon.

Flash Flood in JEFFERSON, ILLINOIS
From 19-MAR-20 15:37:00 to 19-MAR-20 15:37:00 (CST-6)
Location: DRIVERS
Flood cause: Heavy Rain
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Social Media

Highway 15 was flooded between Woodlawn and Mount Vernon.

Flash Flood in EDWARDS, ILLINOIS
From 19-MAR-20 16:35:00 to 19-MAR-20 19:45:00 (CST-6)
Location: WEST SALEM
Flood cause: Heavy Rain
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Public

Water was flowing across a county road estimated to be half a foot deep.

Flash Flood in PERRY, ILLINOIS
From 19-MAR-20 14:52:00 to 19-MAR-20 17:00:00 (CST-6)
Location: PINCKNEYVILLE
Flood cause: Heavy Rain
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Trained Spotter

Flash flooding was reported on Highway 154 in Pinckneyville.

Flood in WAYNE, ILLINOIS
From 20-MAR-20 00:30:00 to 22-MAR-20 01:15:00 (CST-6)
Location: WAYNE CITY
Flood cause: Heavy Rain
Property damage: 5.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: River/Stream Gage

Major flooding occurred on the Skillet Fork River. The river crested at 20.12 feet at the Wayne City gage on the evening of the 20th. Major flooding begins at 20 feet. Numerous county roads were flooded, a few of which were impassable. There was widespread flooding of low-lying fields and woodlands.