Damage Survey PNS (Max: EF2) from KLOT

[akr...@iastate.edu]

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Text Permalink: IEM Website (202604202156-KLOT-NOUS43-PNSLOT)

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Max EF Rating Below: (EF2)

Count by Rating:

EF-0 ⇒ 1

EF-1 ⇒ 7

EF-2 ⇒ 1

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743 
NOUS43 KLOT 202156
PNSLOT
ILZ003>006-008-010>013-019>021-023-032-033-039-103>108-INZ001-002-
010-011-019-211000-

Public Information Statement
National Weather Service Chicago IL
456 PM CDT Mon Apr 20 2026 /556 PM EDT Mon Apr 20 2026/

...NWS Damage Survey for 4/17/2026 Tornado Event Update 2...

The following provides results of storm surveys conduced across
portions of Illinois after several waves of severe thunderstorms
moved across the area on April 17, 2026. As of the issuance of 
this updated Public Information Statement, ten tornadoes have been
confirmed to have impacted the NWS Chicago forecast area. As 
additional survey work continues in the coming days, the total 
number of tornadoes may change. Information in this Public 
Information Statement is subject to change as additional 
information is uncovered. 

Summary of updates: Three new tornadoes were confirmed. They are
in Lowell, IN (EF-0), Kentland, IN (EF-1), and portions of rural 
Iroquois and Newton Counties in IL and IN (EF-2). 


.Pecatonica, IL...

Rating:                 EFU
Estimated Peak Wind:    N/A
Path Length /statute/:  0.70 miles
Path Width /maximum/:   50 yards
Fatalities:             0
Injuries:               0

Start Date:             4/17/2026
Start Time:             4:35 PM CDT
Start Location:         2.8 N Pecatonica / Winnebago County / IL
Start Lat/Lon:          42.3505 / -89.3571

End Date:               4/17/2026
End Time:               4:37 PM CDT 
End Location:           2.9 N Pecatonica / Winnebago County / IL 
End Lat/Lon:            42.3517 / -89.3432

Survey Summary:
Storm chaser video shows a brief tornado touching down in an open
field about 3 miles north of Pecatonica. The tornado was only on 
the ground for about two minutes and caused no known damage. 


.Harrison, IL...

Rating:                 EF1
Estimated Peak Wind:    110 mph
Path Length /statute/:  4.3 miles
Path Width /maximum/:   125 yards 
Fatalities:             0 
Injuries:               0

Start Date:             4/17/2026
Start Time:             4:58 PM CDT
Start Location:         2.5 miles SE Harrison / Winnebago County / IL
Start Lat/Lon:          42.3942 / -89.1782

End Date:               4/17/2026
End Time:               5:07 PM CDT
End Location:           3.9 miles E Harrison / Winnebago County / IL
End Lat/Lon:            42.4293 / -89.1172

Survey Summary:
A high-end EF-1 tornado began near the intersection of Meridian
Road and Favor Road southeast of Harrison. Video footage from 
storm chasers documented the tornado growing in size and intensity
as it tracked east-northeastward across Favor Road before 
impacting two farmsteads, causing significant damage to a few 
outbuildings and snapping and uprooting multiple trees. Additional
storm chaser footage showed the tornado intensifying again as it 
tracked northeastward across Gummow Road and then reaching peak 
intensity as it impacted a property along Freeport Road. At this 
property, the majority of the roof of a two-story house was 
removed, several trees were snapped, and an old barn was 
destroyed. Storm chaser footage then captured the tornado making a
sharp turn back southward and crossing Freeport Road once again 
before roping out and eventually dissipating in an open field near
Owen Center Road. 


.Roscoe, IL...

Rating:                 EF1
Estimated Peak Wind:    95 mph
Path Length /statute/:  11.5 miles
Path Width /maximum/:   350 yards
Fatalities:             0
Injuries:               0

Start Date:             4/17/2026
Start Time:             7:03 PM CDT
Start Location:         2.1 miles E Harrison / Winnebago County / IL
Start Lat/Lon:          42.4195 / -89.1533

End Date:               4/17/2026
End Time:               7:17 PM CDT
End Location:           4.2 miles SE Rockton / Winnebago County / IL
End Lat/Lon:            42.4019 / -88.9413

Survey Summary: 
An EF-1 tornado began near the intersection of Freeport Road and
Bates Road southeast of Harrison, initially downing several tree
branches at and near a small cemetery. The tornado produced
additional tree damage as it tracked eastward along Roscoe Road
before entering the west side of Roscoe and reaching its peak
intensity as it tracked through the Hawks Point, Crystal Hills,
and Oxford Commons subdivisions. There, multiple homes sustained
damage to roofs, siding, and fascia. Several garage doors were
blown in, resulting in damage to garage walls. Numerous trees were
also uprooted or damaged in these subdivisions. The tornado then
continued eastward, knocking down several power poles along
Gleasman Road and damaging a nearby farm outbuilding before
crossing the Rock River. East of the Rock River, the tornado
continued to cause extensive tree damage. Multiple additional
houses sustained roof and fascia damage from the tornado as well.
The tornado appeared to dissipate just as it reached the
Winnebago-Boone county line. Extensive straight-line wind damage
was also observed in close proximity to the tornadic circulation,
particularly on its southern flank. Of interesting note, the path
of this tornado crossed over the path of the Harrison tornado 
which occurred around two hours prior. 


.Mendota, IL...

Rating:                 EF1
Estimated Peak Wind:    90 mph
Path Length /statute/:  17.2 miles
Path Width /maximum/:   700 yards
Fatalities:             0
Injuries:               0

Start Date:             4/17/2026
Start Time:             8:12 PM CDT
Start Location:         2.3 E Arlington / Bureau County / IL
Start Lat/Lon:          41.4646 / -89.2054 

End Date:               4/17/2026
End Time:               8:31 PM CDT
End Location:           1.2 miles SW Radley / LaSalle County / IL
End Lat/Lon:            41.6221 / -88.9530

Survey Summary: 
The tornado appeared to start just south of County Road 2200 N in
Bureau County where a barn structure sustained roofing damage. The
tornado then moved northeastward into LaSalle County producing
damage to trees and farm outbuildings. Several wooden power poles
were damaged on the far southeastern side of Mendota before a semi
truck was blown over on Interstate 57 as the tornado continued
northeastward. The tornado then moved on the eastern side of
Meriden causing additional damage to trees and farm outbuildings
before dissipating in an open field north of Highway 34. 


.Rural Livingston County, IL...

Rating:                 EF1
Estimated Peak Wind:    90 mph
Path Length /statute/:  1.6 miles
Path Width /maximum/:   50 yards
Fatalities:             0
Injuries:               0

Start Date:             4/17/2026
Start Time:             7:24 PM CDT
Start Location:         1.8 miles NW Belle Prairie / Livingston County / IL 
Start Lat/Lon:          40.6616 / -88.5747

End Date:               4/17/2026
End Time:               7:27 PM CDT
End Location:           1.8 miles N Belle Prairie / Livingston County / IL
End Lat/Lon:            40.6728 / -88.5478

Survey Summary: 
A tornado started in McLean county and crossed in to southwestern
Livingston County. A machine shed and trees were damaged in
Livingston county before the tornado lifted. Thank you to NWS
Lincoln for surveying this tornado! 


.Gibson City, IL...

Rating:                 EF1
Estimated Peak Wind:    90
Path Length /statute/:  4.9 miles
Path Width /maximum/:   100 yards
Fatalities:             0
Injuries:               0

Start Date:             4/17/2026
Start Time:             9:32 PM CDT
Start Location:         1 W Gibson City / Ford County / IL
Start Lat/Lon:          40.4643 / -88.3989

End Date:               4/17/2026
End Time:               9:37 PM CDT
End Location:           3 ENE Gibson City / Ford County / IL
End Lat/Lon:            40.4799 / -88.3088

Survey Summary: 
The tornado touched down on the west side of Gibson City,
producing significant roofing damage to several buildings along
8th Street. The tornado continued east-northeastward for several
miles, producing primarily tree damage before lifting
approximately 3 miles east-northeast of Gibson City. 


.Buckley, IL...

Rating:                 EF1
Estimated Peak Wind:    95 mph
Path Length /statute/:  9.27 miles
Path Width /maximum/:   150 yards
Fatalities:             0
Injuries:               0

Start Date:             4/17/2026
Start Time:             9:46 PM CDT
Start Location:         4.6 miles NW of Loda / Ford County / IL
Start Lat/Lon:          40.5326 / -88.1643

End Date:               4/17/2026
End Time:               9:55 PM CDT
End Location:           1.3 miles E of Buckley / Iroquois County / IL
End Lat/Lon:            40.598 / -88.0126

Survey Summary: 
The tornado touched down west of Loda with initial damage
consisting of the collapse of two empty grain bins. The tornado
continued east-northeastward to just south of Buckley, producing
downed and uprooted trees and blowing over semi-trucks on
Interstate 57. Near the end of the damage track, the roof of a
large outbuilding was removed while nearby trees were snapped at
their base, with debris deposited in various directions. 


.Rural Iroquois and Newton Counties...

Rating:                 EF2
Estimated Peak Wind:    115 mph
Path Length /statute/:  11 miles
Path Width /maximum/:   150 yards
Fatalities:             0
Injuries:               0

Start Date:             4/17/2026
Start Time:             10:11 PM CDT
Start Location:         4 miles S Woodland / Iroquois County / IL
Start Lat/Lon:          40.6850 / -87.6625

End Date:               4/17/2026
End Time:               10:36 PM CDT
End Location:           2.5 miles W Kentland / Newton County / IN End 
Lat/Lon:                40.7717 / -87.4926

Survey Summary: 
The tornado appeared to touch down in an open field southwest of
the intersection of East 1200 North Road and County Road 2540 East
and impacted a farm, leading to damage to numerous structures. The
tornado then continued northeastward causing damage to trees and
numerous farm outbuildings. The peak intensity of the tornado
occurred near the end of the path near the Iroquois and Newton
county border (Illinois and Indiana state line) where over a 
dozen new wooden power poles were snapped at their base. The 
tornado then appeared to lift just northeast of US 24 in 
southwestern Newton County.


.Kentland, IN...

Rating:                 EF1
Estimated Peak Wind:    90 mph
Path Length /statute/:  3.2 miles
Path Width /maximum/:   50 yards
Fatalities:             0
Injuries:               0

Start Date:             4/17/2026
Start Time:             10:25 PM CDT
Start Location:         1.5  miles S Kentland / Newton County / IN
Start Lat/Lon:          40.7495 / -87.4598

End Date:               4/17/2026
End Time:               10:29 PM CDT
End Location:           2 miles E Kentland / Newton County / IN
End Lat/Lon:            40.7744 / -87.4098

Survey Summary: 
A narrow EF-1 tornado touched down near the intersection of W 1700
S and S 250 W where several large tree branches were downed. The
tornado then crossed US Highway 41 at peak intensity, downing a
billboard, uplifting a large portion of a roof of a restaurant,
and pushing over a semi truck. A farm outbuilding was damaged
nearby, as well. Debris was thrown nearly 2 miles downstream in an
open field just north of US-24, close to where the tornado
appeared to lift.


.Lowell, IN...

Rating:                 EF0
Estimated Peak Wind:    80 mph
Path Length /statute/:  TBD
Path Width /maximum/:   TBD
Fatalities:             0
Injuries:               0

Start Date:             TBD
Start Time:             TBD
Start Location:         TBD
Start Lat/Lon:          TBD

End Date:               TBD
End Time:               TBD
End Location:           TBD
End Lat/Lon:            TBD

Survey Summary: 
Coming Soon. 


&&

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 events and publication in NWS
Storm Data.

$$