NOAA's National Weather Service Weather Forecast Office

Moved NE along the Jersey/Greene County border, from 4 miles NW of Jerseyville.  Crossed into Macoupin County 9 miles N of Medora.  The tornado caused damage to 25 homes and many barns were destroyed along this path.  One person was killed in Jersey County and a total of 10 were injured along the path.

Formed 2 miles E of Whitehall and moved NE, rapidly intensifying and leveling farms as it passed 3 miles E of Roodhouse.  It then moved into Morgan County.   The tornado killed 8 people in its path and injured 50.

This major tornadic event is often cited as having the longest path length of any tornado (293 miles in Illinois and Indiana for 7 hours and 20 minutes).  There is overwhelming evidence that this long track was made up of at least 4 and probably 8 or more individual tornadoes.  The first tornado touched down in Pike County, IL and moved due E where it weakened or lifted between White Hall and Modesto (Macoupin County).  This event killed a total of 101 people and injured 638.  The maximum intensity was in Mattoon.

Formed over Lincoln County, MO and moved NE through Calhoun County before passing through Greene County.  The tornado moved into Greene County along the Illinois River N of Hardin.  As the tornado hit SW of Carrollton, it killed 3 people, including a school teacher.  As the storm raged outside, she directed her 18 pupils to take cover under the seats, while she held the door shut.  She died as the building was "blown to bits", but with only minor injuries to 11 students.  Further along in Greene County, 4 more people died at Wrights, and one near Athensville.  The tornado then moved into Macoupin County.  The tornado killed a total of 11 and injured 63.

Tornado followed intermittent path from Carrollton to Springfield causing scattered damage.

Some damage reported near Eldred.

Path of damage could be followed from a few miles SW of Carrollton through the city to the NE of the city.  Major damage was to a livestock sales barn NE of the City with other damage to outbuildings, trees, rooftops, and window glass.

Some damage reported in the SE part of the county.

A tornado briefly touched down 1 mile W of Greenfield and demolished a home.  Power lines and sheds were also reported down in the area.

The Illinois State Police and storm spotters followed a tornado from the White Hall area to near Manchester in Scott County.  The tornado lifted off the ground at times but did damage to several farm buildings and trees as it traveled nearly parallel to Highway 267.

A slow moving tornado touched down between Roodhouse and White Hall.  It remained on the ground for about 10 minutes and damaged crops in fields along Highway 267.

The same supercell that spawned the Whiteside and Annada, MO tornadoes formed another in northwest Greene County, IL northwest of Hillview. One barn and several outbuildings were destroyed. Numerous trees were also downed.

G - Grazulis, T. P., 1993: Significant Tornadoes 1680-1991.  A Chronology and Analysis of Events. Environmental Films, Tornado Project, St. Johsnbury, VT.
SD - National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, 1959-2004: Storm Data. Vols. 1-46, Nos. 1-12, National Climatic Data Center, Asheville, NC.
SPC - Storm Prediction Center Database