Two Tornadoes Confirmed in Central Illinois as Severe Storm System Impacts Region

The National Weather Service confirmed two tornadoes in central Illinois on June 17, 2026, as a severe storm system produced multiple hazards across the region. One tornado was confirmed near Salisbury, an unincorporated community in Sangamon County approximately 12 miles northwest of Springfield, at 4:31 p.m. following law enforcement confirmation. Emergency sirens were activated around that time. A second tornado was confirmed near Jeisyville, a village in Christian County located 27 miles southeast of Springfield, at 6:59 p.m. based on emergency management confirmation. No damage classifications had been assigned to either tornado at the time of reporting, and there were no immediate reports of damage in the affected areas.

The evening round of storms proved more severe than the morning activity, as meteorologists had anticipated. The National Weather Service noted that strong supercells continued to push across central and southeast Illinois, with conditions remaining favorable for significant severe hazards including strong tornadoes, winds up to 80 mph, and hail. Additional tornado warnings were issued for parts of Montgomery and Fayette counties—including the cities of Litchfield and Hillsboro—as well as for Taylorville, Pawnee, Kincaid, and the Decatur area in Macon County. A severe thunderstorm warning for Central Montgomery County and East Central Macoupin County predicted wind gusts of 60 mph and half-dollar size hail.

The broader impact of the storm system extended beyond tornado threats. A flash flood warning was issued affecting more than 130,000 residents across central Illinois, including Petersburg, Sherman, Decatur, and Macon County. The National Weather Service advised residents to avoid walking or driving through flood waters. Both a tornado watch and flash flood watch were issued, with the flash flood watch remaining in effect until 10 p.m. At least one business, Hand of Fate Brewery in Petersburg, sustained storm damage and closed for the evening. The National Weather Service meteorologist Ben Deubelbeiss had previously noted that while tornadoes are very difficult to forecast, there was potential for EF3 or greater tornadoes in central Illinois.