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Pecatonica Today
By the People, for the People
Severe Storms Spawn Multiple Tornadoes Across Northern Illinois and Southern Wisconsin
The National Weather Service confirms at least 10 tornadoes in the region this month, including several high-end EF-1 and EF-2 twisters.
Apr. 19, 2026 at 2:03am
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A powerful tornado outbreak leaves a trail of destruction across the Midwest, underscoring the growing threat of climate change-fueled extreme weather.Pecatonica TodayA powerful storm system moved through northern Illinois and southern Wisconsin on Friday, spawning several confirmed tornadoes that caused significant damage to homes, businesses, and infrastructure. The National Weather Service has been surveying the affected areas and has so far classified the tornadoes as ranging from EF-0 to high-end EF-2, with peak wind gusts reaching up to 130 mph.
Why it matters
This latest outbreak of severe weather highlights the increasing frequency and intensity of extreme weather events in the Midwest, which experts attribute to climate change. The tornadoes have disrupted communities, caused power outages, and resulted in property damage, underscoring the need for improved disaster preparedness and resilience efforts in the region.
The details
The most powerful tornado struck the town of Lena, Illinois, where it was classified as a high-end EF-2 with peak winds of 130 mph. This tornado was on the ground for 8.5 miles and had a maximum width of 750 yards, causing significant damage to trees, power poles, and several homes that lost their entire roof structures. Three additional tornadoes were confirmed in Winnebago County, ranging from EF-U (unknown) to EF-1. In southern Wisconsin, the National Weather Service confirmed three EF-1 tornadoes in Rock and Walworth counties, causing damage to farms, homes, and other structures.
- The tornado in Lena, Illinois started along Highway 20 southwest of the town and traveled through Lena before lifting just southwest of McConnell.
- The supercell thunderstorm that produced the Lena tornado then moved east into Winnebago County and spawned three more tornadoes from near Pecatonica up to Roscoe.
- The three tornadoes in southern Wisconsin occurred around 6:05 pm on Friday evening.
The players
National Weather Service Quad Cities
The local National Weather Service office that confirmed the high-end EF-2 tornado in Lena, Illinois.
National Weather Service Chicago
The local National Weather Service office that confirmed the EF-U, EF-1, and EF-1 tornadoes in Winnebago County, Illinois.
National Weather Service Milwaukee
The local National Weather Service office that confirmed the three EF-1 tornadoes in Rock and Walworth counties, Wisconsin.
What’s next
The National Weather Service is continuing to gather additional details on the peak wind gusts, track, width, and length of the confirmed tornadoes, and will be releasing more information in the coming days.
The takeaway
This latest severe weather outbreak in the Midwest underscores the growing threat of climate change-fueled extreme storms and the need for communities to invest in disaster preparedness and resilience measures to protect lives and property.
