Effingham, IL-(Effingham Radio)- The National Weather Service has assessed an EF3+ rating for Wednesday evening’s tornado that went through Effingham County.
Official National Weather Service statement:
Effingham Tornado...
Rating: EF3+
Estimated Peak Wind: 150 mph
Path Length /statute/: 26.18 miles
Path Width /maximum/: 500 yards
Fatalities: 0
Injuries: 2
Start Date: 06/17/2026
Start Time: 07:56 PM CDT
Start Location: 1 WNW Beecher City / Effingham County / IL
Start Lat/Lon: 39.1904 / -88.7975
End Date: 06/17/2026
End Time: 08:28 PM CDT
End Location: 4 NNE Dieterich / Jasper County / IL
End Lat/Lon: 39.1111 / -88.3308
Survey Summary:
Originating in Beecher City within Effingham County, the tornado
first touched down along E State Highway 33. The storm`s initial
path spanned approximately one-quarter mile in width, resulting
in EF0 and EF1 level damage. This impact was characterized by the
snapping and uprooting of large trees, alongside sporadic damage
to grain silos and farm out-buildings, with notable effects
observed near N 300th St on the outskirts of Beecher City.
Moving eastward through Shumway, the tornado crossed State
Highway 32 and proceeded parallel to E 1800th Ave. Although the
path width constricted to just over one-tenth of a mile, the storm
intensified, producing EF-2 level damage. The increased strength
resulted in hardwood and softwood tree trunks being snapped
approximately two-thirds of the way up. Additionally, the tornado
caused significant structural destruction, including the removal
of a roof from a single-family home and the collapse of several
farm outbuildings.
Upon reaching the northern outskirts of rural Effingham, the
tornado intensified to EF-3 status as it traveled along E 1800th
Ave. During this stage, the storm produced peak wind speeds
estimated at 145 mph, leading to severe tree damage and the total
destruction of one single-family home, which suffered complete
exterior wall collapses.
Continuing its path along Effingham`s northern perimeter, the
EF-3 tornado maintained a width of one- tenth to one-quarter mile.
Substantial structural damage occurred at a farmstead on E 1680th
Ave, where several large outbuildings were demolished and a
single-family home suffered a total roof uplift alongside partial
exterior wall failure. Upon entering Effingham city limits and
crossing US HWY 45, the storm destroyed a substantial metal
building system after an X-brace failed on its eastern side.
Nearby properties sustained further structural and severe tree
damage, and the force of the winds threw a delivery van
approximately 150 yards to the east.
After departing Effingham, the tornado tracked southeastward and
broadened to a width of approximately one-third of a mile. As the
storm crossed Interstate 70, it inflicted major damage to trees
and caused total roof uplift at multiple single- family homes. The
tornado then proceeded across the northern and eastern parts of
Teutopolis, where it caused extensive structural destruction to a
farmstead located near the HWY 40 and N 1950th St intersection.
Impacts at this location included the complete destruction of
several large barns and outbuildings, as well as the total uplift
of a single- residence roof. The tornadic storm maintained its
EF-3 intensity as it moved eastward into rural Teutopolis, though
its path narrowed to roughly one-tenth of a mile. Near the
intersection of N 2100th St and E 1500th Ave, the storm produced
peak wind speeds of 140 mph, resulting in the destruction of two
single-family homes and significant damage to trees and
outbuildings. Multiple non-life-threatening injuries were reported
in this area.
As the tornado moved across the Effingham-Jasper county line, it
continued on a southeastward trajectory while weakening to EF-2
intensity. With estimated wind speeds of approximately 120 mph,
the storm caused moderate damage to outbuildings and trees, along
with minor structural impacts to single-family residences. The
tornadic path eventually concluded as the storm lifted along N
200th St, just north of Island Grove.
A special thanks is extended to Effingham County EMA for their
assistance in supplying geo- referenced data for severely damaged
buildings. We also wish to recognize the local agricultural
community along E 1800th Ave in rural Effingham; their willingness
to provide transportation was essential for navigating a section
of the path obstructed by active utility restoration efforts. Other tornado assessments were also released.
Charleston-Mattoon Tornado...
Rating: EF2
Estimated Peak Wind: 116 mph
Path Length /statute/: 13.83 miles
Path Width /maximum/: 800 yards
Fatalities: 0
Injuries: 1
Start Date: 06/17/2026
Start Time: 06:42 PM CDT
Start Location: 3 SSE Cooks Mills / Coles County / IL
Start Lat/Lon: 39.5362 / -88.3794
End Date: 06/17/2026
End Time: 06:59 PM CDT
End Location: 2 ENE Charleston / Coles County / IL
End Lat/Lon: 39.493 / -88.142
Survey Summary:
The tornado developed 4 miles north of Mattoon and tracked
southeast, damaging trees, homes, and electrical transmission
lines as it crossed US Highway 45. It intensified as it reached
County Rd 700E, uprooting large hardwood trees and lifting the
roof off a single family residence. It continued east-southeast
from there, crossing Interstate 57 where it flipped a semi,
resulting in one injury. It then heavily damaged a few farm
outbuildings and trees on the western outskirts of Charleston. It
continued eastward through the north side of Charleston, causing
damage at the fairgrounds, a few outbuildings, and trees
throughout town before lifting 2 miles east of Charleston along
Illinois 16.
Pawnee Tornado...
Rating: EF0
Estimated Peak Wind: 85 mph
Path Length /statute/: 5.72 miles
Path Width /maximum/: 200 yards
Fatalities: 0
Injuries: 0
Start Date: 06/17/2026
Start Time: 06:48 PM CDT
Start Location: 2 SSW Glenarm / Sangamon County / IL
Start Lat/Lon: 39.6004 / -89.6694
End Date: 06/18/2026
End Time: 06:55 PM CDT
End Location: 1 ESE Pawnee / Sangamon County / IL
End Lat/Lon: 39.5884 / -89.565
Survey Summary:
The tornado touched down about 1.5 miles west of Pawnee Junction
near the I-55 exit, then traveled east across I-55 affecting
Commanche Village and the town of Pawnee before dissipating
0.75 miles southeast of Pawnee. During its time on the ground it
produced mainly EF0 tree damage, along with minor damage to home
soffits and roofs. No injuries were reported. during its 5.7 mile
path.
EF Scale: The Enhanced Fujita Scale classifies tornadoes into the
following categories:
EF0.....65 to 85 mph
EF1.....86 to 110 mph
EF2.....111 to 135 mph
EF3.....136 to 165 mph
EF4.....166 to 200 mph
EF5.....>200 mph
NOTE:
The information in this statement is preliminary and subject to
change pending final review of the event and publication in
NWS Storm Data.
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