Machesney Park, IL Tornado History — 92 Tornadoes Since 1950
How many tornadoes has Machesney Park, IL had?
Machesney Park has had 92 tornadoes on record within 25 miles since 1950, including 4 strong to violent (EF3+) tornadoes.
When was the most recent tornado near Machesney Park?
The most recent tornado within 25 miles of Machesney Park was an EF0 on June 3, 2025.
When is tornado season in Machesney Park?
June is historically the peak month for tornadoes near Machesney Park, with 18 on record. April through June account for 49 of the 92 tornadoes on record near Machesney Park.
At a Glance
Recent Tornado Activity Near Machesney Park
The last 20 years of confirmed tornadoes within 25 miles — 53 total, averaging 2.6 per year over this window.
Preliminary tornado reports near Machesney Park since December 29, 2025
These are 5 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Preliminary reports are revised, merged, and sometimes withdrawn — historically about 23% are consolidated downward once surveys complete.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.
Tornado on the ground visible from IL-173 and Belvidere Road looking north. Relayed by amateur radio. (LOT)
Snapped and uprooted trees... damage to houses... and sheet metal wrapped around trees near Emerald Grove. Time estimated from radar. (MKX)
Multiple photos and videos shared via social media show tornado on the ground between Harrison and Rockton. (LOT)
Video shows possible brief tornado north of Pecatonica. No known damage. Relayed via social media. (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 Machesney Park. 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 Machesney Park
28 fatalities have been recorded within 25 miles of Machesney Park since 1950, across 4 events. 517 injuries have been reported across all events. 1967 was the deadliest year on record near Machesney Park.
The deadliest single event was an F4 on April 21, 1967, which caused 24 fatalities along a 25.5-mile track.
Notable Tornadoes Near Machesney Park
What the record shows near Machesney Park
The 2020s are the busiest decade on record so far near Machesney Park, with 33 of the 92 confirmed tornadoes within 25 miles. The Machesney Park record runs from the 1950s to today.
Of the tornadoes rated near Machesney Park, 77 reached EF0 or EF1 and 12 reached EF2 or stronger. The most intense on record near Machesney Park is rated EF4, of which 2 are logged. A further 3 near Machesney Park are unrated — events NOAA logged before a damage survey assigned a scale.
Across the last 20 years Machesney Park has averaged 2.6 confirmed tornadoes a year within 25 miles, 53 in total. 2024 was the busiest of them with 10, and 8 of those years passed with none at all.