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Buckley Today
By the People, for the People
Five Tornadoes Confirmed in Illinois After Friday's Storms
No deaths reported as severe weather sweeps across Upper Midwest
Apr. 19, 2026 at 12:36am
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A powerful tornado outbreak leaves a trail of destruction across the rural Midwest, underscoring the region's vulnerability to the growing threat of extreme weather.Buckley TodayThe National Weather Service has confirmed that at least five tornadoes touched down in Illinois on Friday night, including three in Winnebago County and two in central Illinois. While no deaths were reported, the storms caused significant damage across the region, which has already seen repeated severe weather this spring.
Why it matters
Tornado outbreaks can have devastating impacts on communities, causing widespread property damage, disrupting infrastructure, and putting lives at risk. This latest round of severe storms in the Upper Midwest highlights the ongoing threat of extreme weather events driven by climate change, and the importance of preparedness and resilience efforts.
The details
Survey crews from the National Weather Service confirmed that three tornadoes touched down in Winnebago County, including an EF-U tornado in Pecatonica, an EF-1 tornado in Harrison, and another EF-1 tornado in Roscoe. Two additional EF-1 tornadoes were also confirmed in central Illinois, touching down in Gibson City and Buckley. An EF-U, or EF-Unknown, tornado means survey crews were unable to assign a rating because it didn't cause enough surveyable damage. EF-1 tornadoes produce wind speeds from 86 to 110 miles per hour.
- The severe storms hit Illinois on Friday night.
The players
National Weather Service
The federal agency responsible for weather forecasting and issuing severe weather warnings.
Winnebago County
A county in northern Illinois that was hit by three of the confirmed tornadoes.
Gibson City
A town in central Illinois where one of the EF-1 tornadoes touched down.
Buckley
A town in central Illinois where one of the EF-1 tornadoes touched down.
What’s next
The National Weather Service said it will release more details about the tornadoes, including peak wind speeds, path lengths, and path widths, at a later time.
The takeaway
This latest round of severe storms in the Upper Midwest serves as a reminder of the ongoing threat of extreme weather events driven by climate change. While no deaths were reported, the tornadoes caused significant damage and disruption, underscoring the need for continued investment in preparedness and resilience efforts to protect communities from the impacts of these increasingly frequent and intense weather events.