Union County, Illinois
County storm and disaster record · FIPS 17181 · population 17,217 · 413 sq mi
NOAA's Storm Events Database holds 1,025 records for Union County, Illinois from 1950 through June 30, 2026, on 750 days; the most frequent are winter storm records (162 records). 793 of them are forecast-zone records, which the National Weather Service files once per zone: a county covered by several zones receives each one, so a single storm can add several records on the same day. The deadliest single record is the November 18, 2017 strong wind, filed for the forecast zone Union, which covers the county: 2 deaths and $18,000 in damage in 2025 dollars. FEMA has issued 15 declarations naming the county since 1969, 13 of them for natural hazards; the latest for a natural hazard was “Severe Storms and Flooding” on September 19, 2019.
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
- 1,025on 750 days, 1950 to June 30, 2026
- Deaths recorded
- 852 injuries
- Damage, 2025 dollars
- $60Mas filed (scale steps before 1993)
- Tornadoes
- 24strongest F3
- FEMA declarations
- 15latest 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 Union County most?
The most frequent records are winter storm records: 162 since 1996. 67% of its winter storm records since 1996 fell in January and February. 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Winter storms | 162 | 116 | 1996-2026 | 1 | 1 | $16M | 18 of 102 |
| Fog, smoke and funnel clouds | 156 | 117 | 1997-2026 | 0 | 0 | – | 11 of 102 |
| Heat | 124 | 93 | 1997-2025 | 1 | 16 | – | 10 of 102 |
| High wind and dust storms | 118 | 97 | 1996-2026 | 2 | 0 | $10M | 7 of 102 |
| Floods | 113 | 102 | 1996-2024 | 2 | 0 | $11M | 11 of 102 |
| Extreme cold | 110 | 79 | 1996-2026 | 0 | 0 | $67K | 12 of 102 |
| Severe thunderstorm wind | 95 | 87 | 1960-2026 | 1 | 2 | $2.8M | 67 of 102 |
| Drought | 60 | 35 | 1996-2025 | 0 | 0 | $4.9M | 11 of 102 |
| Hail | 55 | 42 | 1963-2024 | 0 | 20 | $87K | 74 of 102 |
| Tornadoes | 24 | 19 | 1955-2025 | 1 | 13 | $15M | 49 of 102 |
| Heavy rain | 6 | 6 | 2005-2015 | 0 | 0 | – | 28 of 102 |
| Lightning | 2 | 2 | 2006-2009 | 0 | 0 | $31K | 47 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 Union County had?
NOAA records 24 tornadoes in Union County from 1955 to 2025, the strongest rated F3, with 1 death and 13 injuries recorded in the county. That is 49th of 102 Illinois 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 25 tornadoes whose track touched Union County since 1950 (NOAA's county records number 24: they file a crossing tornado once per county segment, and the two databases differ on some tracks); along their whole tracks they killed 1 person.
| Date | Tornado | Rating | Path | Killed |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2002-04-28 00:18, as SPC files it | Dongola to Cypress | F3 | 19.3 mi | 1 |
| 1957-05-21 18:07, as SPC files it | Alto Pass to Makanda | F3 | 8.5 mi | 0 |
Map of the strongest tornado tracks in Illinois.
Every tornado record filed for Union County (24)
| Date | Place | Character | Killed | Injured | Damage |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025-05-20 | Mt Pleasant, Union County | EF1 1.8 mi x 50 yd | 0 | 0 | $80K |
| 2024-05-26 | Lick Creek, Union County | EF1 2.24 mi x 100 yd | 0 | 0 | $26K |
| 2020-01-11 | Ware, Union County | EF1 0.86 mi x 50 yd | 0 | 0 | $91K |
| 2018-05-31 | Wolf Lake, Union County | EF0 1.12 mi x 50 yd | 0 | 0 | $8K |
| 2018-05-31 | Wolf Lake, Union County | EF1 3.11 mi x 150 yd | 0 | 0 | $82K |
| 2014-04-03 | Lick Creek, Union County | EF0 3.18 mi x 75 yd | 0 | 0 | $9K |
| 2014-04-03 | Western Saratoga, Union County | EF0 5.03 mi x 85 yd | 0 | 0 | $9K |
| 2014-04-03 | Kaolin, Union County | EF0 0.27 mi x 50 yd | 0 | 0 | $10K |
| 2012-02-29 | Aldridge, Union County | EF2 16.79 mi x 300 yd | 0 | 0 | $129K |
| 2011-05-25 | Anna, Union County | EF1 2 mi x 125 yd | 0 | 0 | $197K |
| 2008-01-29 | Wolf Lake, Union County | EF1 1.65 mi x 100 yd | 0 | 0 | $14K |
| 2007-03-01 | Jonesboro, Union County | EF0 1.8 mi x 150 yd | 0 | 0 | $142K |
| 2004-10-18 | Wayside, Union County | F1 0.5 mi x 50 yd | 0 | 0 | $6K |
| 2002-04-28 | Dongola, Union County | F3 16 mi x 400 yd | 1 | 8 | $8.2M |
| 1999-01-21 | Anna, Union County | F0 0.3 mi x 30 yd | 0 | 0 | $2K |
| 1999-01-21 | Reynoldsville, Union County | F2 1 mi x 200 yd | 0 | 0 | $35K |
| 1976-02-16 | Union County | F2 1 mi x 33 yd | 0 | 1 | $25K step |
| 1973-06-02 | Union County | F0 | 0 | 0 | – |
| 1972-04-14 | Union County | F2 11.8 mi x 30 yd | 0 | 0 | $25K step |
| 1972-04-14 | Union County | F2 3.3 mi x 30 yd | 0 | 4 | $25K step |
| 1969-08-09 | Union County | F0 | 0 | 0 | $3K step |
| 1957-05-21 | Union County | F3 8.5 mi x 200 yd | 0 | 0 | $250K step |
| 1955-11-16 | Union County | F2 4.5 mi x 150 yd | 0 | 0 | $250K step |
| 1955-03-04 | Union County | F1 0.5 mi x 50 yd | 0 | 0 | – |
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 Union County?
The most recent record with damage, injuries or deaths is the April 27, 2026 thunderstorm wind ($10,000 in damage in 2025 dollars).
| Date | Record | Character | Killed | Injured | Damage |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2026-04-27 | Thunderstorm WindAnna, Union County | 56 kt wind | 0 | 0 | $10K |
| 2026-04-25 | Dense FogUnion County · forecast zone Union | 0 | 0 | – | |
| 2026-02-15 | Dense FogUnion County · forecast zone Union | 0 | 0 | – | |
| 2026-02-10 | Dense FogUnion County · forecast zone Union | 0 | 0 | – | |
| 2026-01-31 | Cold/Wind ChillUnion County · forecast zone Union | 0 | 0 | – | |
| 2026-01-26 | Cold/Wind ChillUnion County · forecast zone Union | 0 | 0 | – | |
| 2026-01-24 | Winter StormUnion County · forecast zone Union | 0 | 0 | – | |
| 2026-01-23 | Cold/Wind ChillUnion County · forecast zone Union | 0 | 0 | – | |
| 2026-01-21 | Winter WeatherUnion County · forecast zone Union | 0 | 0 | – | |
| 2026-01-21 | Dense FogUnion County · forecast zone Union | 0 | 0 | – | |
| 2026-01-14 | Strong WindUnion County · forecast zone Union | 35 kt wind | 0 | 0 | $1K |
| 2026-01-08 | Strong WindUnion County · forecast zone Union | 35 kt wind | 0 | 0 | $1K |
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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2017-11-18 | Strong WindUnion County · forecast zone Union A cold front surged southeast from Missouri across the lower Ohio Valley. Ahead of the front, strong south winds gusted close to 40 mph in some places. Immediately following the passage of the cold front and its associated line of thunderstorms, a short period of strong northwest winds occurred. At the Carbondale ... | 36 kt wind | 2 | 0 | $18K |
| 2002-04-28 | TornadoDongola, Union County The tornado first touched down in very hilly terrain in the Shawnee National Forest and then tracked east, crossing Route 127 just north of Mill Creek. The tornado then directly struck the community of Dongola, where most of the damage and casualties occurred. A 69-year-old woman was killed as she was attempting to ... | F3 16 mi x 400 yd | 1 | 8 | $8.2M |
| 2004-12-22 | Winter StormJackson County and Union County · forecast zone Union A major winter storm dumped from 10 to 20 inches of snow across most of southern Illinois, clogging interstates and shutting down most businesses near the peak of the Christmas shopping season. The heaviest snowfall, from 14 to 20 inches, occurred along an axis from Anna (Union County) through Harrisburg (Saline ... | 1 | 1 | $156K | |
| 2019-06-16 | Flash FloodCobden, Union County Severe flash flooding impacted Union County. There were two water rescues in the county. One car stalled in high water on Mount Glen Road near Cobden. First responders were able to rescue the driver, a young female. The second water rescue involved a vehicle in the Trail of Tears State Forest near Ware. The vehicle ... | 1 | 0 | $35K | |
| 2009-06-22 | HeatJackson County and Union County · forecast zone Union A building dome of high pressure aloft was responsible for near record high temperatures. Combined with high humidity, the heat index soared to between 105 and 110 on the afternoon of the 22nd. In many places, the heat index peaked near 105 on the afternoon of the 23rd. Actual air temperatures reached the mid 90's ... | 1 | 0 | – | |
| 2002-01-31 | Flash FloodAnna, Union County A 3-year-old child was killed when her grandmother attempted to carry her across a flooded creek on foot. The grandmother was unable to cross the creek in her vehicle, so she attempted to cross on foot. The grandmother lost her footing in the creek, and the child was swept away and drowned. The flooding was caused by ... | 1 | 0 | – | |
| 1987-07-05 | Thunderstorm WindUnion County | 1 | 0 | – | |
| 1995-05-17 | HailJonesboro, Union County About ten damage claims were filed with insurance companies as a result of the hailstorm. Enough hail fell to clog storm drains and turn the ground white. Undetermined damage was done to apple orchards. | 1.00 in hail | 0 | 20 | – |
| Date | Record | Character | Killed | Injured | Damage |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2008-09-14 | High WindPulaski County and Union County · forecast zone Pulaski | 56 kt wind | 0 | 0 | $8.2M |
| 2002-04-28 | TornadoDongola, Union County | F3 16 mi x 400 yd | 1 | 8 | $8.2M |
| 1997-03-01 | FloodPulaski County and Union County · forecast zone Pulaski | 0 | 0 | $4.6M | |
| 2008-03-18 | FloodWare, Union County | 0 | 0 | $1.8M | |
| 2016-01-01 | FloodWolf Lake, Union County | 0 | 0 | $861K | |
| 2019-06-01 | FloodWare, Union County | 0 | 0 | $693K | |
| 2019-07-01 | FloodWolf Lake, Union County | 0 | 0 | $600K | |
| 1999-05-17 | Thunderstorm WindCountywide, Union County | 0 | 0 | $443K |
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 $250K, in the dollars of the day) holds: November 16, 1955 (tornado, Union County); May 21, 1957 (tornado, Union 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 Union 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Winter storms | – | – | – | – | 21 | 55 | 63 | 23 |
| Fog, smoke and funnel clouds | – | – | – | – | 11 | 40 | 70 | 35 |
| Heat | – | – | – | – | 12 | 25 | 58 | 29 |
| High wind and dust storms | – | – | – | – | 5 | 32 | 43 | 38 |
| Floods | – | – | – | – | 33 | 51 | 24 | 5 |
| Extreme cold | – | – | – | – | 6 | 51 | 28 | 25 |
Source: NOAA NCEI Storm Events Database, records per calendar decade; zone records from the CZ_TYPE field (Z).
What time of year?
67% of its winter storm records since 1996 fell in January and February. The two busiest months are in violet.
The values, month by month
Jan 137 · Feb 110 · Mar 79 · Apr 115 · May 76 · Jun 66 · Jul 101 · Aug 79 · Sep 35 · Oct 52 · Nov 59 · Dec 116 (records).
Source: NOAA NCEI Storm Events Database, records by the month they began.
Federal disaster declarations for Union County
FEMA's register lists 15 declarations that include Union County: 12 major disasters, 3 emergencies and 0 fire management assistance declarations. Most were for flood (5) and severe storm (5).
| Declared | Number | Type | Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2020-03-26 | DR-4489 | Biological | Covid-19 Pandemic |
| 2020-03-13 | EM-3435 | Biological | Covid-19 |
| 2019-09-19 | DR-4461 | Flood | Severe Storms and Flooding |
| 2011-06-07 | DR-1991 | Severe Storm | Severe Storms and Flooding |
| 2009-07-02 | DR-1850 | Severe Storm | Severe Storms, Flooding, and Tornadoes |
| 2009-03-02 | DR-1826 | Severe Storm | Severe Winter Storm |
| 2005-09-07 | EM-3230 | Hurricane | Hurricane Katrina Evacuation |
| 2005-02-01 | EM-3199 | Snowstorm | Record/Near Record Snow |
| 2003-05-15 | DR-1469 | Severe Storm | Severe Storms, Tornadoes, and Flooding |
| 2002-05-21 | DR-1416 | Tornado | Severe Storms, Tornadoes and Flooding |
| 1995-05-30 | DR-1053 | Severe Storm | Severe Storms and Flooding |
| 1993-07-09 | DR-997 | Flood | Severe Storms & Flooding |
| 1979-04-30 | DR-583 | Flood | Severe Storms & Flooding |
| 1973-04-26 | DR-373 | Flood | Severe Storms & Flooding |
| 1969-08-30 | DR-276 | Flood | Heavy Rains & 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 Union County had?
NOAA's Storm Events Database holds 113 flood or flash flood records for Union County from 1996 to 2024, on 102 days, with 2 deaths. By flood insurance claims since 1978 (OpenFEMA, as of September 8, 2026), Union County ranks 1267th of 2,942 U.S. counties.
The National Flood Insurance Program has paid $443,000 on 109 claims filed in Union County; the most in one year was 43 in 1993. Claims count insured losses only: uninsured flood damage is not in this file.
The values, year by year
1978: 1 · 1979: 8 · 1981: 1 · 1982: 2 · 1983: 3 · 1986: 2 · 1993: 43 · 1994: 3 · 1997: 5 · 1999: 2 · 2001: 2 · 2002: 2 · 2003: 1 · 2004: 1 · 2005: 1 · 2008: 17 · 2011: 5 · 2013: 1 · 2015: 3 · 2016: 3 · 2019: 2 · 2020: 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 Union County
FEMA's National Risk Index rates Union County Relatively Low overall, with an expected annual loss of $14.8 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Strong Wind | Relatively High | $1.4M | 4.1 a year (modeled) |
| Earthquake | Relatively Moderate | $4.3M | once in about 106 years (modeled) |
| Heat Wave | Relatively Moderate | $1.6M | 11 modeled event-days a year |
| Cold Wave | Relatively Moderate | $1.6M | 1.1 a year (modeled) |
| Winter Weather | Relatively Moderate | $94K | 7.7 a year (modeled) |
| Ice Storm | Relatively Moderate | $125K | about once a year (modeled) |
| Tornado | Relatively Low | $1.5M | once in about 3 years (modeled) |
| Drought | Relatively Low | $240K | 3.9 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 Union 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
- Winter storms in IllinoisThe state's winter storm records, 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 Union CountyThe hazard risk calculator: 18 hazards beside the county's record
- Download Union County's FEMA declarations (CSV)15 rows: every declaration that named the county, for your own analysis