Kendall County, Illinois
County storm and disaster record · FIPS 17093 · population 131,852 · 320 sq mi
NOAA's Storm Events Database holds 507 records for Kendall County, Illinois from 1950 through June 30, 2026, on 297 days; the most frequent are severe thunderstorm wind events (206 records). The most damaging was the July 17, 1996 flash flood ($2.8 million in 2025 dollars). FEMA has issued 13 declarations naming the county since 1973, 11 of them for natural hazards; the latest for a natural hazard was “Severe Storms, Straight-Line Winds, and Flooding” on May 10, 2013.
The record, 1950 to 2026
Storm records filed for the county each year (2026 to June 30, 2026). Before 1996 NOAA recorded only tornadoes (from 1950), thunderstorm wind and hail (from 1955).
- recorded, no damage figure
- under $100,000
- $100,000 or more
- $1 million or more
- $10 million or more, or a death
- $100 million or more, or 10 deaths
- a year's colour: its recorded damage or deaths
- a year with a death
- 1955: wind and hail recorded from 1955
- 1996: all 48 event types from 1996
- Storm records
- 507on 297 days, 1950 to June 30, 2026
- Deaths recorded
- 02 injuries
- Damage, 2025 dollars
- $28Mas filed (scale steps before 1993)
- Tornadoes
- 31strongest F5
- FEMA declarations
- 13latest 2020
Source: NOAA NCEI Storm Events Database, records through June 30, 2026 (file revision 20260918); damage converted to 2025 dollars with the BLS CPI-U. Search the record at NCEI. BLS consumer price index.
What hazards hit Kendall County most?
The most frequent records are severe thunderstorm wind events: 206 since 1957. 57% of its severe thunderstorm wind events since 1957 fell in June and July. The rank column places the county among Illinois's counties by days with a record per 1,000 square miles of land over each hazard's complete period.
| Hazard | Records | Days | First, last | Killed | Injured | Damage | Rank in state |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Severe thunderstorm wind | 206 | 108 | 1957-2026 | 0 | 1 | $410K | 14 of 102 |
| Hail | 91 | 45 | 1956-2026 | 0 | 0 | $125K | 41 of 102 |
| Winter storms | 74 | 74 | 1997-2026 | 0 | 0 | – | 27 of 102 |
| Floods | 38 | 31 | 1996-2025 | 0 | 0 | $5.9M | 35 of 102 |
| Tornadoes | 31 | 23 | 1954-2025 | 0 | 0 | $21M | 10 of 102 |
| Extreme cold | 21 | 20 | 1996-2026 | 0 | 0 | – | 25 of 102 |
| Drought | 13 | 13 | 2005-2025 | 0 | 0 | – | 28 of 102 |
| High wind and dust storms | 13 | 13 | 1996-2025 | 0 | 1 | $173K | 33 of 102 |
| Heat | 12 | 12 | 1999-2026 | 0 | 0 | – | 45 of 102 |
| Heavy rain | 5 | 3 | 2009-2025 | 0 | 0 | $255K | 37 of 102 |
| Lightning | 2 | 2 | 2010-2025 | 0 | 0 | $12K | 33 of 102 |
| Fog, smoke and funnel clouds | 1 | 1 | 2016-2016 | 0 | 0 | – | 56 of 102 |
Source: NOAA NCEI Storm Events Database (county and forecast-zone records attributed to the county; a zone record shows its own totals on each county it covers). Days: dates with at least one record of the hazard in the county. Ranks: days with a record per 1,000 square miles of land (Census Bureau 2024 Gazetteer), since 1950 for tornadoes, 1955 for hail and thunderstorm wind, 1996 for the rest.
How many tornadoes has Kendall County had?
NOAA records 31 tornadoes in Kendall County from 1954 to 2025, the strongest rated F5, with 0 deaths and 0 injuries recorded in the county. That is 10th of 102 Illinois counties and 168th of 3,080 U.S. counties by days with tornadoes per 1,000 square miles since 1950. A tornado that crossed a county line is counted in each county it touched, with the length of its path inside the county.
Counted as whole tornadoes rather than county records, the Storm Prediction Center's database holds 32 tornadoes whose track touched Kendall County since 1950 (NOAA's county records number 31: they file a crossing tornado once per county segment, and the two databases differ on some tracks); along their whole tracks they killed 30 people, 0 of them in Kendall County.
| Date | Tornado | Rating | Path | Killed |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1990-08-28 14:30, as SPC files it | Plainfield | F5 | 16.4 mi | 29 |
| 1984-04-27 17:39, as SPC files it | Plainfield | F3 | 9 mi | 1 |
| 1976-03-12 12:50, as SPC files it | Oswego to Naperville | F3 | 22.6 mi | 0 |
Map of the strongest tornado tracks in Illinois.
Every tornado record filed for Kendall County (31)
| Date | Place | Character | Killed | Injured | Damage |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025-03-14 | Yorkville, Kendall County | EF0 3.64 mi x 125 yd | 0 | 0 | – |
| 2024-07-15 | Lisbon, Kendall County | EF1 8 mi x 250 yd | 0 | 0 | – |
| 2024-07-15 | Joliet, Kendall County | EF0 2.4 mi x 300 yd | 0 | 0 | – |
| 2024-07-15 | Bristol, Kendall County | EF1 10.9 mi x 200 yd | 0 | 0 | – |
| 2023-07-28 | Sandwich, Kendall County | EF0 0.33 mi x 20 yd | 0 | 0 | – |
| 2023-07-28 | Minooka, Kendall County | EF1 1.59 mi x 225 yd | 0 | 0 | – |
| 2023-07-28 | Lisbon, Kendall County | EF0 1 mi x 20 yd | 0 | 0 | – |
| 2023-07-28 | Newark, Kendall County | EF0 4.89 mi x 80 yd | 0 | 0 | – |
| 2023-07-12 | Oswego, Kendall County | EF0 4.14 mi x 100 yd | 0 | 0 | – |
| 2023-03-31 | Joliet, Kendall County | EF0 2.02 mi x 250 yd | 0 | 0 | – |
| 2023-03-31 | Montgomery, Kendall County | EF0 1.83 mi x 200 yd | 0 | 0 | – |
| 2023-02-27 | Joliet, Kendall County | EF0 0.8 mi x 100 yd | 0 | 0 | – |
| 2022-11-05 | Little Rock, Kendall County | EF0 0.2 mi x 100 yd | 0 | 0 | – |
| 2020-08-10 | Yorkville, Kendall County | EF1 10.47 mi x 250 yd | 0 | 0 | – |
| 2020-05-23 | White Willow, Kendall County | EF0 2.07 mi x 100 yd | 0 | 0 | – |
| 2020-05-17 | Millbrook, Kendall County | EFU 0.69 mi x 25 yd | 0 | 0 | – |
| 2019-05-27 | Kentland, Kendall County | EF0 0.97 mi x 30 yd | 0 | 0 | – |
| 2014-06-30 | Newark Airport, Kendall County | EF1 1.15 mi x 50 yd | 0 | 0 | $62K |
| 2003-07-27 | Yorkville, Kendall County | F0 1 mi x 100 yd | 0 | 0 | – |
| 2003-05-30 | Millington, Kendall County | F0 3.5 mi x 100 yd | 0 | 0 | – |
| 2003-05-30 | Millington, Kendall County | F0 1 mi x 100 yd | 0 | 0 | – |
| 2003-05-28 | Bristol, Kendall County | F0 1 mi x 50 yd | 0 | 0 | – |
| 1990-08-28 | Kendall County | F5 5.2 mi x 600 yd | 0 | 0 | $250K step |
| 1989-06-05 | Kendall County | F0 0.1 mi x 10 yd | 0 | 0 | – |
| 1984-04-27 | Kendall County | F3 5 mi x 200 yd | 0 | 0 | $2.5M step |
| 1977-06-30 | Kendall County | 0 | 0 | – | |
| 1977-06-30 | Kendall County | 0 | 0 | – | |
| 1976-03-12 | Kendall County | F3 7.8 mi x 30 yd | 0 | 0 | $2.5M step |
| 1972-04-06 | Kendall County | F1 10.7 mi x 50 yd | 0 | 0 | $25K step |
| 1959-09-26 | Kendall County | F1 3 mi x 33 yd | 0 | 0 | $25K step |
| 1954-05-27 | Kendall County | F2 7.9 mi x 200 yd | 0 | 0 | $25K step |
A damage figure marked "step" is a record from before 1993: NOAA then filed damage by category, and the figure is the category as entered, in the dollars of that year, not an estimate of the loss.
Source: NOAA NCEI Storm Events Database, tornado records by county (path length in the county, maximum width); ratings as published: F scale before February 1, 2007, EF scale after. Whole-track figures: NOAA Storm Prediction Center tornado database (1950-2025). SPC severe weather database.
When was the last damaging storm in Kendall County?
The most recent record with damage, injuries or deaths is the August 17, 2025 heavy rain ($30,000 in damage in 2025 dollars).
| Date | Record | Character | Killed | Injured | Damage |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2026-06-29 | HeatKendall County · forecast zone Kendall | 0 | 0 | – | |
| 2026-06-11 | Thunderstorm WindOswego, Kendall County | 55 kt wind | 0 | 0 | – |
| 2026-06-11 | Thunderstorm WindOswego, Kendall County | 60 kt wind | 0 | 0 | – |
| 2026-06-10 | Thunderstorm WindJoliet, Kendall County | 55 kt wind | 0 | 0 | – |
| 2026-06-10 | Thunderstorm WindPlattville, Kendall County | 60 kt wind | 0 | 0 | – |
| 2026-06-10 | Thunderstorm WindPlainfield, Kendall County | 55 kt wind | 0 | 0 | – |
| 2026-06-10 | Thunderstorm WindPlattville, Kendall County | 55 kt wind | 0 | 0 | – |
| 2026-06-10 | Thunderstorm WindLisbon, Kendall County | 60 kt wind | 0 | 0 | – |
| 2026-03-30 | HailBoulder Hill, Kendall County | 1.00 in hail | 0 | 0 | – |
| 2026-03-30 | HailBristol, Kendall County | 1.00 in hail | 0 | 0 | – |
| 2026-03-30 | HailYorkville, Kendall County | 1.00 in hail | 0 | 0 | – |
| 2026-03-15 | Winter WeatherKendall County · forecast zone Kendall | 0 | 0 | – |
Source: NOAA NCEI Storm Events Database; every record of 2025-2026 is listed, earlier ones when they caused deaths, injuries or $250,000 of damage (2025 dollars), and every tornado.
The deadliest and costliest records
| Date | Record | Character | Killed | Injured | Damage |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2004-05-30 | Thunderstorm WindPlano, Kendall County A tree was down on a car with a person trapped inside. | 50 kt wind | 0 | 1 | – |
| 2003-11-13 | High WindKendall County · forecast zone Kendall Strong low pressure moved across the upper midwest and the upper great lakes during the afternoon and evening hours of November 13th. A strong cold front from this low moved across northern Illinois during the early afternoon hours. Winds increased to 40 to 50 mph across northern Illinois with gusts as high as 60 mph. ... | 50 kt wind | 0 | 1 | – |
| Date | Record | Character | Killed | Injured | Damage |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1996-07-17 | Flash FloodCountywide, Kendall County | 0 | 0 | $2.8M | |
| 2008-09-14 | Flash FloodLittle Rock, Kendall County | 0 | 0 | $2.7M | |
| 2025-08-17 | Flash FloodOswego, Kendall County | 0 | 0 | $300K | |
| 2010-06-21 | Thunderstorm WindPlattville, Kendall County | 50 kt wind | 0 | 0 | $271K |
| 2025-08-17 | Heavy RainBoulder Hill, Kendall County | 0 | 0 | $225K | |
| 2015-06-10 | HailMinooka, Kendall County | 4.75 in hail | 0 | 0 | $125K |
| 2014-06-30 | TornadoNewark Airport, Kendall County | EF1 1.15 mi x 50 yd | 0 | 0 | $62K |
| 2013-06-12 | Thunderstorm WindBristol Station, Kendall County | 70 kt wind | 0 | 0 | $32K |
Before 1993 NOAA filed damage by category, not amount, so the list above starts in 1993. The highest category filed here before then (entered as $2.5M, in the dollars of the day) holds: March 12, 1976 (tornado, Kendall County); April 27, 1984 (tornado, Kendall County).
Source: NOAA NCEI Storm Events Database: deaths and injuries direct and indirect; damage is property plus crops as estimated by the National Weather Service, converted to 2025 dollars.
Is it getting more frequent?
Records per decade for Kendall County's most frequent hazards. Counts rose everywhere after 1996, when NOAA began recording every event type, so compare decades within a hazard's complete period only (the shaded cells come before it).
| Hazard | 1950s | 1960s | 1970s | 1980s | 1990s | 2000s | 2010s | 2020-26 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Severe thunderstorm wind | 1 | 2 | 2 | 1 | 17 | 57 | 58 | 68 |
| Hail | 1 | 0 | 2 | 1 | 4 | 29 | 20 | 34 |
| Winter storms | – | – | – | – | 4 | 21 | 19 | 30 |
| Floods | – | – | – | – | 2 | 15 | 10 | 11 |
| Tornadoes | 2 | 0 | 4 | 2 | 1 | 4 | 2 | 16 |
| Extreme cold | – | – | – | – | 1 | 6 | 4 | 10 |
Source: NOAA NCEI Storm Events Database, records per calendar decade; zone records from the CZ_TYPE field (Z).
What time of year?
57% of its severe thunderstorm wind events since 1957 fell in June and July. The two busiest months are in violet.
The values, month by month
Jan 41 · Feb 35 · Mar 35 · Apr 38 · May 67 · Jun 98 · Jul 81 · Aug 49 · Sep 16 · Oct 15 · Nov 13 · Dec 19 (records).
Source: NOAA NCEI Storm Events Database, records by the month they began.
Federal disaster declarations for Kendall County
FEMA's register lists 13 declarations that include Kendall County: 7 major disasters, 6 emergencies and 0 fire management assistance declarations. Most were for snowstorm (4) and flood (3).
| Declared | Number | Type | Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2020-03-26 | DR-4489 | Biological | Covid-19 Pandemic |
| 2020-03-13 | EM-3435 | Biological | Covid-19 |
| 2013-05-10 | DR-4116 | Flood | Severe Storms, Straight-Line Winds, and Flooding |
| 2008-10-03 | DR-1800 | Severe Storm | Severe Storms and Flooding |
| 2006-12-29 | EM-3269 | Snowstorm | Snow |
| 2005-09-07 | EM-3230 | Hurricane | Hurricane Katrina Evacuation |
| 2001-01-17 | EM-3161 | Snowstorm | Illinois Winter Snow Storms |
| 1999-01-08 | EM-3134 | Snowstorm | Il-Winter Storm 1/1/99 |
| 1996-07-25 | DR-1129 | Severe Storm | Severe Storms and Flooding |
| 1990-08-29 | DR-878 | Tornado | Tornadoes |
| 1979-01-16 | EM-3068 | Snowstorm | Blizzards & Snowstorms |
| 1974-06-10 | DR-438 | Flood | Severe Storms & Flooding |
| 1973-04-26 | DR-373 | Flood | Severe Storms & Flooding |
Source: FEMA OpenFEMA Disaster Declarations Summaries (v2), declarations through October 2, 2026; one declaration is counted once however many areas it names. OpenFEMA dataset page.
How many floods has Kendall County had?
NOAA's Storm Events Database holds 38 flood or flash flood records for Kendall County from 1996 to 2025, on 31 days, with 0 deaths. By flood insurance claims since 1978 (OpenFEMA, as of September 8, 2026), Kendall County ranks 1019th of 2,942 U.S. counties.
The National Flood Insurance Program has paid $3.1 million on 175 claims filed in Kendall County; the most in one year was 62 in 1996. Claims count insured losses only: uninsured flood damage is not in this file.
The values, year by year
1978: 3 · 1979: 3 · 1980: 5 · 1981: 3 · 1982: 1 · 1983: 2 · 1984: 1 · 1985: 5 · 1987: 1 · 1991: 1 · 1992: 1 · 1994: 2 · 1996: 62 · 1997: 19 · 2000: 4 · 2001: 1 · 2004: 1 · 2007: 7 · 2008: 22 · 2009: 3 · 2010: 2 · 2011: 1 · 2013: 19 · 2018: 1 · 2019: 4 · 2026: 1; the other years: 0.
Source: FEMA OpenFEMA NFIP Redacted Claims, as of September 8, 2026; claims by year of loss, payments in the dollars of the year paid. OpenFEMA dataset page.
FEMA's modeled risk for Kendall County
FEMA's National Risk Index rates Kendall County Relatively Low overall, with an expected annual loss of $74.8 million. These are FEMA's model estimates of future loss from 18 hazards, not a count of what happened; they can differ from the record above.
| Hazard | Risk rating | Expected annual loss | Modeled frequency |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cold Wave | Relatively High | $23M | 5.2 a year (modeled) |
| Strong Wind | Relatively High | $2.8M | 6.3 a year (modeled) |
| Tornado | Relatively Moderate | $12M | once in about 4 years (modeled) |
| Riverine Flooding | Relatively Moderate | $34M | 1 a year (modeled) |
| Earthquake | Relatively Low | $1.2M | once in about 707 years (modeled) |
| Heat Wave | Relatively Low | $1.1M | 3.5 modeled event-days a year |
| Winter Weather | Relatively Low | $113K | 14 a year (modeled) |
| Drought | Relatively Low | $185K | 6.8 modeled event-days a year |
Source: FEMA National Risk Index, county table, December 2025 release. FEMA's National Risk Index map.
Counties that share a border with Kendall County
Source: U.S. Census Bureau county adjacency file; NOAA NCEI Storm Events Database, records since 1950. The Census Bureau's adjacency file.
Next
- Tornadoes in IllinoisEvery Illinois tornado since 1950 and the counties with the most per square mile
- Severe thunderstorm wind in IllinoisThe state's severe thunderstorm wind events, by county, year and month
- The Illinois recordEvery hazard in the state, its deadliest events and its federal declarations
- FEMA's risk rating for each hazard in Kendall CountyThe hazard risk calculator: 18 hazards beside the county's record
- Download Kendall County's FEMA declarations (CSV)13 rows: every declaration that named the county, for your own analysis