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NOAA/NWS STORM PREDICTION CENTER REPORTS + U.S. CENSUS DATA

Hail, Wind & Tornado Reports in Franklin County, IL

Public hail, wind, and tornado reports across Franklin County, IL from March 5, 1955 through August 12, 2026, sourced from NOAA/NWS Local Storm Reports and SPC storm report data.

Example: 62812 — search hail, wind and tornado public reports for any U.S. ZIP code 
Hail Reports
119
Wind Reports
199
Tornado Reports
21
Max Hail Size
3.00″
Source  NOAA SPC · NWS Local Storm Reports Coverage  Franklin County, IL · 1955–present Updated  Daily · last Aug 12, 2026

Latest NWS Hail Reports in Franklin County

30 reports
Free hail report for your home →
1.00″ hail
Aug 12, 2026
10:18 PM UTC
Hail report for Franklin County, IL
Franklin County · 14,478 Homes in County
Hail Report Description: Facebook photo shows quarter size hail northeast of Ewing.
NWS Hail Report Location: 2 Ene Ewing, IL
1.00″ hail
Jun 16, 2026
11:46 PM UTC
Hail report for Franklin County, IL
Franklin County · 14,478 Homes in County
Hail Report Description: Quarter size hail north of Sesser; winds gusted to 50mph.
NWS Hail Report Location: 1 NNW Sesser, IL
1.00″ hail
Apr 27, 2026
2:55 PM UTC
Hail report for Franklin County, IL
Franklin County · 14,478 Homes in County
Hail Report Description: Report from mPING of Quarter (1.00 in.).
NWS Hail Report Location: 1 N Macedonia, IL
1.00″ hail
Apr 27, 2026
1:59 PM UTC
Hail report for Franklin County, IL
Franklin County · 14,478 Homes in County
Hail Report Description: Southwest side of Christopher.
NWS Hail Report Location: Christopher, IL
1.00″ hail
Sep 14, 2025
9:41 PM UTC
Hail report for Franklin County, IL
Franklin County · 14,478 Homes in County
Hail Report Description: Hail up to the size of quarters was reported in Benton.
NWS Hail Report Location: West City, IL
1.00″ hail
May 16, 2025
11:13 PM UTC
Hail report for Franklin County, IL
Franklin County · 14,478 Homes in County
Hail Report Description: Report from mPING: Quarter (1.00 in.).
NWS Hail Report Location: Royalton, IL
1.50″ hail
Mar 30, 2025
10:11 PM UTC
Hail report for Franklin County, IL
Franklin County · 14,478 Homes in County
Hail Report Description: No National Weather Service description provided.
NWS Hail Report Location: 2 SSW Christopher, IL
1.25″ hail
Mar 30, 2025
9:27 PM UTC
Hail report for Franklin County, IL
Franklin County · 14,478 Homes in County
Hail Report Description: Report from mPING: Half Dollar (1.25 in.).
NWS Hail Report Location: Sesser, IL
1.50″ hail
Mar 30, 2025
9:00 PM UTC
Hail report for Franklin County, IL
Franklin County · 14,478 Homes in County
Hail Report Description: No National Weather Service description provided.
NWS Hail Report Location: 1 WSW Sesser, IL
1.00″ hail
May 8, 2024
5:55 PM UTC
Hail report for Franklin County, IL
Franklin County · 14,478 Homes in County
Hail Report Description: Report from mPING: Quarter (1.00 in.).
NWS Hail Report Location: Buckner, IL
1.00″ hail
Feb 10, 2024
7:12 AM UTC
Hail report for Franklin County, IL
Franklin County · 14,478 Homes in County
Hail Report Description: Hail up to quarter size covering the ground. Report relayed by KFVS 12. Time estimated by radar.
NWS Hail Report Location: Buckner, IL
1.00″ hail
Feb 10, 2024
7:09 AM UTC
Hail report for Franklin County, IL
Franklin County · 14,478 Homes in County
Hail Report Description: Pea to quarter size hail covering the ground. Time estimated by radar.
NWS Hail Report Location: Christopher, IL
1.75″ hail
Jul 3, 2023
12:13 AM UTC
Hail report for Franklin County, IL
Franklin County · 14,478 Homes in County
Hail Report Description: Corrects previous hail report from 2 SSE Benton.
NWS Hail Report Location: 3 S Benton, IL
1.75″ hail
Jul 1, 2023
12:13 AM UTC
Hail report for Franklin County, IL
Franklin County · 14,478 Homes in County
Hail Report Description: No National Weather Service description provided.
NWS Hail Report Location: 2 SSE Benton, IL
1.25″ hail
Jun 30, 2023
11:31 PM UTC
Hail report for Franklin County, IL
Franklin County · 14,478 Homes in County
Hail Report Description: No National Weather Service description provided.
NWS Hail Report Location: West Frankfort, IL
Showing 15 of 30
Hail Damage Risk for Your Home +

Hail reports describe hail by diameter, often comparing stone size to familiar objects like peas, quarters, golf balls, and softballs. Use this guide as a starting point for possible hail damage to your roof, siding, gutters, vents, windows, and exterior. Actual hail damage depends on hail hardness, density, wind speed, impact angle, roof age, shingle condition, roof pitch, roofing material, installation quality, and prior storm damage.

Pea
0.25″
Low

Usually too small to cause hail damage to most sound asphalt roofs, siding, or gutters.

Mothball
0.50″
Sub-Severe Watch

Below the NWS severe-hail threshold, but not always harmless. Repeated small hail can scuff surfaces, wear aging shingles, and loosen protective granules over time.

Penny
0.75″
Minor / Watch

Below the NWS severe-hail threshold, but roof hail damage is still possible on older, brittle, poorly installed, or previously damaged shingles. May also mark screens, vents, gutters, and soft metal.

Nickel
0.88″
Minor / Watch

Still below the severe-hail threshold, but large enough to leave visible marks on soft metal and add wear to older or hail-weakened roof shingles.

Quarter
1.00″
Watch

The NWS severe-hail threshold. Quarter-size hail can bruise shingles, dent soft metal, and create roof hail damage worth checking.

Half Dollar
1.25″
Watch

More likely to dent gutters, vents, flashing, and siding. Hail damage risk rises quickly on older roofs or hail-weakened shingles.

Ping Pong / Walnut
1.50″
Likely

Hail damage becomes more likely, including bruised shingles, granule loss, dented siding, and damaged roof vents.

Golf Ball
1.75″
Likely

Often causes roof hail damage, cracked shingles, dented gutters, damaged flashing, and siding impacts. A roof inspection is recommended.

Hen Egg
2.00″
Serious

Can crack or puncture shingles, expose mat, dent siding, and cause widespread hail damage across the roof and exterior.

Tennis Ball
2.50″
Serious

Can cause heavy roof hail damage, punctured siding, broken skylights, damaged vents, and widespread exterior damage.

Baseball
2.75″
Major

Major hail damage is likely, including severe roof impacts, damaged siding, broken windows, and possible major roof repairs.

Tea Cup / Large Apple
3.00″
Major

Can cause heavy hail damage across the roof, siding, gutters, windows, and exterior. Significant repairs are often needed.

Softball
4.00″
Extreme

Destructive hail damage. Can severely damage roofing materials, siding, windows, gutters, vents, vehicles, and exterior surfaces.

Grapefruit
4.50″
Extreme

Catastrophic hail damage risk for roofs, windows, vehicles, siding, gutters, and exterior surfaces.

Source: NOAA / National Weather Service hail size references are used for hail-size comparisons and the 1.00″ severe-hail threshold. Damage descriptions are general homeowner guidance, not official NOAA/NWS damage ratings. Sub-severe hail under 1.00″ is below the severe threshold, but that does not mean “no roof damage.” Penny- to nickel-size hail can still contribute to granule loss, cosmetic surface marks, and added wear, especially on older, brittle, poorly installed, or previously damaged roofs.

Latest NWS Wind Reports in Franklin County

30 reports
Free hail report + wind check →
UNK mph
Jul 11, 2026
12:54 AM UTC
Wind report for Franklin County, IL
Franklin County · 14,478 Homes in County
Wind Report Description: A large tree split in half and fell across Wilcox Street.
NWS Wind Report Location: Zeigler, IL
UNK mph
Jul 11, 2026
12:36 AM UTC
Wind report for Franklin County, IL
Franklin County · 14,478 Homes in County
Wind Report Description: Large branch snapped on Main Street in Royalton... IL.
NWS Wind Report Location: Royalton, IL
UNK mph
Jul 11, 2026
12:31 AM UTC
Wind report for Franklin County, IL
Franklin County · 14,478 Homes in County
Wind Report Description: Tree down on Chamness Road in Royalton.
NWS Wind Report Location: 1 W Royalton, IL
UNK mph
Jul 4, 2026
7:45 PM UTC
Wind report for Franklin County, IL
Franklin County · 14,478 Homes in County
Wind Report Description: Large tree down in West Frankfort. Time estimated by radar.
NWS Wind Report Location: West Frankfort, IL
UNK mph
May 16, 2026
7:15 PM UTC
Wind report for Franklin County, IL
Franklin County · 14,478 Homes in County
Wind Report Description: Several reports of dime to nickel sized hail and large branches down in the Benton vicinity.
NWS Wind Report Location: Benton, IL
UNK mph
Dec 28, 2025
11:26 PM UTC
Wind report for Franklin County, IL
Franklin County · 14,478 Homes in County
Wind Report Description: A few trees down.
NWS Wind Report Location: Christopher, IL
UNK mph
Oct 20, 2025
10:39 AM UTC
Wind report for Franklin County, IL
Franklin County · 14,478 Homes in County
Wind Report Description: Tree limb blown onto vehicle.
NWS Wind Report Location: West Frankfort, IL
UNK mph
Oct 20, 2025
10:35 AM UTC
Wind report for Franklin County, IL
Franklin County · 14,478 Homes in County
Wind Report Description: Large tree limb blown onto a roof of a home.
NWS Wind Report Location: Christopher, IL
UNK mph
Sep 15, 2025
12:40 AM UTC
Wind report for Franklin County, IL
Franklin County · 14,478 Homes in County
Wind Report Description: A couple of trees blown down. Wind speed estimated at 50-60 mph.
NWS Wind Report Location: North City, IL
UNK mph
Sep 14, 2025
9:47 PM UTC
Wind report for Franklin County, IL
Franklin County · 14,478 Homes in County
Wind Report Description: A tree was blown down along I-57 south of Benton.
NWS Wind Report Location: 2 NE Orient, IL
UNK mph
Sep 14, 2025
9:35 PM UTC
Wind report for Franklin County, IL
Franklin County · 14,478 Homes in County
Wind Report Description: A couple of trees were blown down in the South Marcum Campground on Rend Lake.
NWS Wind Report Location: 3 NNW Benton, IL
UNK mph
Apr 29, 2025
7:40 PM UTC
Wind report for Franklin County, IL
Franklin County · 14,478 Homes in County
Wind Report Description: Barn collapsed in Ewing area.
NWS Wind Report Location: Ewing, IL
UNK mph
Apr 29, 2025
7:30 PM UTC
Wind report for Franklin County, IL
Franklin County · 14,478 Homes in County
Wind Report Description: Power lines down across Route 37 near Ewing Road.
NWS Wind Report Location: 3 W Ewing, IL
UNK mph
Apr 29, 2025
7:25 PM UTC
Wind report for Franklin County, IL
Franklin County · 14,478 Homes in County
Wind Report Description: Tree down blocking exit ramp of I-57 at Benton... IL.
NWS Wind Report Location: 1 E West City, IL
UNK mph
Apr 29, 2025
7:25 PM UTC
Wind report for Franklin County, IL
Franklin County · 14,478 Homes in County
Wind Report Description: Multiple trees and power lines down throughout Franklin County... from State Highway 184/149 to Rend Lake area.
NWS Wind Report Location: 1 NE Royalton, IL
Showing 15 of 30
Wind Damage Risk for Your Home +

Storm reports list thunderstorm wind gusts in mph. The NWS marks storms as severe at 58+ mph, but wind damage to your home depends on roof age, shingle condition, installation, exposure, nearby trees, and prior hail or wind damage.

Below Severe
Under 58 mph
Minor

Usually little damage to a sound roof, but loose shingles, flashing, or debris may shift.

Severe
58–74 mph
Watch

Can loosen shingles, lift flashing, break limbs, and damage gutters, siding, fences, or trim.

Damaging
75–90 mph
Serious

Can peel shingles, damage vents, tear siding, rip gutters, and expose weak roof areas.

Extreme
90+ mph
Major

Can cause major roof covering loss, tree damage, broken windows, and structural damage.

Source: NOAA / National Weather Service storm reports. Gusts may be measured or estimated; actual wind damage varies by roof condition, exposure, and prior hail or wind damage.

Latest NWS Tornado Reports in Franklin County

21 reports
UNK category
Mar 30, 2022
10:23 PM UTC
Tornado report for Franklin County, IL
Franklin County · 14,478 Homes in County
Tornado Report Description: EF-0 TORNADO STARTED 3 MILES NORTHWEST OF THOMPSONVILLE AND ENDED IN AKIN. PATH LENGTH OF 4.7 MILES... PEAK WIDTH OF 100 YARDS... AND MAXIMUM WINDS OF 80 MPH. TREES UPROOTED AND SNAPPED. 3 OUTBUILDINGS PARTIALLY DAMAGED. A FEW HOUSES WITH SHINGLE DAMAGE.
NWS Tornado Report Location: 2 ESE Hanaford, IL
UNK category
Dec 6, 2021
4:21 AM UTC
Tornado report for Franklin County, IL
Franklin County · 14,478 Homes in County
Tornado Report Description: TORNADO RATED EF1 BASED ON DAMAGE ASSESSMENT. SOME BUSINESSES AND HOMES SUSTAINED DAMAGE... ESPECIALLY ROOF DAMAGE. TREE DAMAGE ALONG THE PATH.
NWS Tornado Report Location: 1 S Orient, IL
UNK category
Mar 11, 2017
3:06 AM UTC
Tornado report for Franklin County, IL
Franklin County · 14,478 Homes in County
Tornado Report Description: TORNADO ON THE GROUND. WIDESPREAD DAMAGE REPORTED. TRACK IS HEADING TOWARD COMMUNITY OF BENTON.
NWS Tornado Report Location: 2 E Christopher, IL
UNK category
Mar 11, 2017
2:55 AM UTC
Tornado report for Franklin County, IL
Franklin County · 14,478 Homes in County
Tornado Report Description: TORNADO ON THE GROUND. WIDESPREAD STRUCTURE DAMAGE REPORTED ALONG YELLOW BANKS ROAD.
NWS Tornado Report Location: 3 WSW Christopher, IL
UNK category
Mar 11, 2017
2:54 AM UTC
Tornado report for Franklin County, IL
Franklin County · 14,478 Homes in County
Tornado Report Description: POSSIBLE TORNADO DAMAGE. WIDESPREAD TREES AND POWER POLES SNAPPED THROUGHOUT THE AREA. HOME DESTROYED IN THE COMMUNITY ITSELF. LATE REPORT
NWS Tornado Report Location: 2 E Mulkeytown, IL
UNK category
May 10, 2016
8:20 PM UTC
Tornado report for Franklin County, IL
Franklin County · 14,478 Homes in County
Tornado Report Description: TORNADO ON THE GROUND NEAR MILE MARKER 40 ON THE PURCHASE PARKWAY.
NWS Tornado Report Location: 2 WSW Benton, IL
EF1 category
Jun 19, 2015
3:51 PM CST-6
Tornado report for Franklin County, IL
Franklin County · 14,478 Homes in County
Tornado Report Description: A large two-story house sustained major damage, losing large portions of its roof and the front porch. A small storage shed and fencing was damaged. Near the beginning of the damage path, a garage lost most of its roof. Dozens of trees and tree limbs were broken or uprooted. At least one eyewitness saw the tornado, which began in a subdivision just west of Interstate 57 near West Frankfort. The tornado moved northwest before ending on the west side of County Road 6 near the Green River. The most intense winds were at the damaged large two-story house on County Road 6. Peak winds were estimated near 110 mph there.
NWS Tornado Report Location: .62 E Ezra, IL
EF0 category
Jan 29, 2013
9:38 PM CST-6
Tornado report for Franklin County, IL
Franklin County · 14,478 Homes in County
Tornado Report Description: Two spotters eyewitnessed a brief tornado touchdown along Highway 14 near Old Du Quoin, about 1/4 mile east of the Franklin/Perry county line. Winds were estimated at 85 mph. No damage was reported with the tornado, partly because this stretch of road was devoid of trees and power lines.
NWS Tornado Report Location: .54 E Mulkeytown, IL
EF1 category
Apr 19, 2011
7:49 PM CST-6
Tornado report for Franklin County, IL
Franklin County · 14,478 Homes in County
Tornado Report Description: Extremely large oak trees were snapped 30 feet off the ground and thrown several yards and left intertwined. Other large trees were uprooted, and a fence was damaged. Peak winds in this brief tornado were estimated near 105 mph.
NWS Tornado Report Location: .2 N Benton, IL
EF1 category
Apr 19, 2011
7:40 PM CST-6
Tornado report for Franklin County, IL
Franklin County · 14,478 Homes in County
Tornado Report Description: One home had partial roof loss. Several other homes received either roof or structural damage due to trees falling. Several large branches were driven into the side of a house and barn. Peak winds were estimated near 100 mph. The average path width was 50 yards.
NWS Tornado Report Location: 1.2 SW Royalton, IL
EF1 category
Jun 8, 2009
7:08 PM CST-6
Tornado report for Franklin County, IL
Franklin County · 14,478 Homes in County
Tornado Report Description: The tornado continued into Franklin County from Perry County. Many trees were blown down. The tornado was embedded within a much broader area of straight-line wind damage to trees. Peak winds were estimated near 85 mph in this portion of the track.
NWS Tornado Report Location: 1.97 WNW Mulkeytown, IL
EF1 category
May 8, 2009
12:45 PM CST-6
Tornado report for Franklin County, IL
Franklin County · 14,478 Homes in County
Tornado Report Description: The tornado resulted in a swath of downed trees in rural areas. Peak winds were estimated near 90 mph. The tornado path continued into Williamson County.
NWS Tornado Report Location: 1.69 SSW Thompsonville, IL
EF0 category
May 8, 2009
12:18 PM CST-6
Tornado report for Franklin County, IL
Franklin County · 14,478 Homes in County
Tornado Report Description: This brief tornado was photographed by emergency management personnel. Leaves were observed in the rotation. No damage was located.
NWS Tornado Report Location: 1.5 N Royalton, IL
F0 category
May 25, 2004
4:23 PM CST
Tornado report for Franklin County, IL
Franklin County · 14,478 Homes in County
Tornado Report Description: A brief tornado touchdown was observed. No damage was reported.
NWS Tornado Report Location: 2 W Thompsonville, IL
F0 category
Nov 10, 2002
1:41 PM CST
Tornado report for Franklin County, IL
Franklin County · 14,478 Homes in County
Tornado Report Description: A weak tornado caused some tree damage as it crossed a highway just north of Royalton. The tornado was spawned by the same supercell thunderstorm that produced a longer-track tornado in Jackson County.
NWS Tornado Report Location: 2 N Royalton, IL
Showing 15 of 21
Tornado Damage Risk for Your Home +

After a tornado, the National Weather Service assigns an EF rating from EF0 to EF5 based on surveyed damage. The rating estimates wind speed from what the tornado damaged, so actual damage can vary by construction quality, roof age, garage doors, windows, trees, debris, and how close the home was to the tornado path.

EF0
65–85 mph
Light

Can peel shingles, damage gutters or siding, break tree limbs, and toss loose outdoor items.

EF1
86–110 mph
Moderate

Can strip roof covering, damage exterior doors, break windows, snap trees, and cause heavier siding or gutter damage.

EF2
111–135 mph
Serious

Can tear off large sections of roofing, break or uproot trees, destroy weaker structures, and cause major exterior damage.

EF3–EF5
136+ mph
Severe

Can remove roofs and walls, destroy large portions of homes, toss vehicles, and cause severe to total destruction near the path.

Source: NOAA / National Weather Service. EF ratings are assigned after a post-storm damage survey and are based on observed damage, not a direct measurement at every home.

NWS Hail, Wind and Tornado Reports in Franklin County on the Interactive Map

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Tornado

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Browse Cities with NWS Storm Reports in Franklin County

NWS Storm Reports & Census Data

U.S. Census Data · County

Franklin County, IL area census snapshot

People & households
Population37,541
Households16,130
Housing units18,468
Income
Median household income$53,471
$100k+ households30.3%
$150k+ households10.7%
Housing stock
Single-family detached14,478
Attached single-family252
Small multifamily1,408
Large multifamily323
Mobile homes1,989
Housing mix
Single-family share78.4%
Attached-home share1.4%
Multifamily share9.4%
Mobile-home share10.8%
Ownership & occupancy
Owner-occupied12,060
Renter-occupied4,070
Vacant units2,338
Home value & age
Median home value$87,700
Owner homes $300k+6.7%
Owner homes $500k+1.3%
Owner homes $750k+0.9%
Median year built1965
Older-home share70.3%
Vehicle context
Households with cars15,005
Free hail maps

This snapshot is for local area context only and describes the selected state, county, city, or ZIP area — not a specific home or property. For ZIP-level estimated hail impact, use Free Hail Maps to generate a hail report with key impact details for that ZIP.

Top ZIP Codes with NWS Storm Reports in Franklin County

Get a Remote Hail Inspection

Not sure if hail may have affected your home in Franklin County? Ask a local pro for a Remote Hail Inspection. They can review hail activity for your property and help you decide whether an in-person roof or exterior inspection makes sense.

Frequently asked questions

for homeowners, buyers & sellers
How many hail, wind, and tornado reports does Franklin County have on record?

Our records show 119 hail, 199 wind, and 21 tornado reports in Franklin County, compiled from NOAA SPC and NWS Local Storm Reports. The most recent was reported on August 12, 2026.

What is the largest hail ever reported in Franklin County?

The largest hail size in these storm-report records in Franklin County is 3.00″. It was reported near Benton, IL on March 11, 2017.

A storm report showed up near my home in Franklin County — does that mean my roof is damaged?

Not necessarily. A storm report only means hail, wind, or a tornado was observed nearby; it does not confirm damage at any specific address, and conditions change from block to block. Check an address-level hail report first, and if it looks significant, find a local pro that serves Franklin County and ask about a Remote Hail Inspection before anyone climbs on the roof.

I am buying a home in Franklin County — why should I look at its storm history?

Recent hail or wind can leave a roof or exterior with damage that is easy to miss during a walkthrough, and a recent roof replacement is sometimes an insurance job after a storm. Reviewing the storm history for a Franklin County address before closing helps you ask informed questions about roof age, past repairs, and any prior claims.

I am selling a home in Franklin County — how does this help me?

Knowing the storm history for your address lets you answer buyer questions with confidence, document repairs you have already made, and decide whether a pre-listing roof check is worthwhile. A clear hail history removes a common sticking point during negotiations.

How do I check hail history for a specific Franklin County address?

Use the address search to pull a free address-level hail report for any property in Franklin County — no phone number or email required. It shows recent hail activity for that address so you know whether a closer roof or exterior review makes sense.

Where does this storm report data come from, and what are its limits?

Storm reports on this page are public reports from storm events across Franklin County, IL, sourced from NOAA SPC and NWS Local Storm Reports. They show where hail, wind, or tornado activity was reported in Franklin County, but they do not confirm damage at any specific property. Report locations, sizes, and times may be approximate and can vary from what an individual home experienced. For property-specific hail history, use an address-level hail report or contact a participating local professional for a remote hail inspection. Pros inclusion is not an endorsement, and contacting a professional does not confirm damage at any property.

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