DeKalb, IL Tornado History — 123 Tornadoes Since 1950
How many tornadoes has DeKalb, IL had?
DeKalb has had 123 tornadoes on record within 25 miles since 1950, including 2 strong to violent (EF3+) tornadoes.
When was the most recent tornado near DeKalb?
The most recent tornado within 25 miles of DeKalb was an EF0 on June 3, 2025.
When is tornado season in DeKalb?
June is historically the peak month for tornadoes near DeKalb, with 25 on record. April through June account for 60 of the 123 tornadoes on record near DeKalb.
At a Glance
Recent Tornado Activity Near DeKalb
The last 20 years of confirmed tornadoes within 25 miles — 68 total, averaging 3.4 per year over this window.
Preliminary tornado reports near DeKalb since December 29, 2025
These are 4 preliminary reports, not confirmed tornadoes. They have not yet been through an NWS damage survey, and are not counted in the confirmed totals above.
Preliminary reports are revised, merged, and sometimes withdrawn — historically about 23% are consolidated downward once surveys complete. Ratings are omitted until a survey assigns one.
Confirmed records above are complete through December 29, 2025. NOAA publishes the confirmed archive annually, so tornadoes after that date appear here first and move into the totals above once finalized.
NWS survey confirms an EF-0 tornado with peak winds near 75 mph... peak width of 150 yards... and path length of 5.2 miles. (LOT)
McHenry County EMA reports roof damage to barn along Harmony Road near Brier Hill Road. Video shared to social media shows likely tornado with lofted debris in the vici (LOT)
NWS survey confirms a preliminary EF-U tornado. No known damage. Max width 50 yards... and length of 6 miles. (LOT)
An NWS damage survey confirmed that an EF-0 tornado with estimated peak winds of 85 mph and a path length of 2.71 miles tracked through the community of Holcomb in nort (LOT)
Within 25 miles of DeKalb. Quoted text is the report narrative exactly as filed. Source: NOAA Storm Prediction Center preliminary storm reports, updated daily.
Tornadoes by Decade
Tornadoes by Enhanced Fujita Rating
F0–F5 ratings (pre-2007) are grouped with their EF equivalents. The Enhanced Fujita scale replaced the original Fujita scale in February 2007.
Tornadoes by Month
Casualties on Record Near DeKalb
27 fatalities have been recorded within 25 miles of DeKalb since 1950, across 3 events. 513 injuries have been reported across all events. 1967 was the deadliest year on record near DeKalb.
The deadliest single event was an F4 on April 21, 1967, which caused 24 fatalities along a 25.5-mile track.
Notable Tornadoes Near DeKalb
What the record shows near DeKalb
The 2020s are the busiest decade on record so far near DeKalb, with 46 of the 123 confirmed tornadoes within 25 miles. The DeKalb record runs from the 1950s to today.
Of the tornadoes rated near DeKalb, 106 reached EF0 or EF1 and 10 reached EF2 or stronger. The most intense on record near DeKalb is rated EF4, of which 2 are logged. A further 7 near DeKalb are unrated — events NOAA logged before a damage survey assigned a scale.
Across the last 20 years DeKalb has averaged 3.4 confirmed tornadoes a year within 25 miles, 68 in total. 2024 was the busiest of them with 17, and 4 of those years passed with none at all.