NWS confirms EF3 tornado in Effingham County, seven tornadoes confirmed across central Illinois

The National Weather Service (NWS) Central Illinois office confirmed seven tornadoes across central Illinois following severe thunderstorms on June 17, 2026, including an EF3 tornado with peak winds of 241 km/h (150 mph) that tracked 42.2 km (26.2 miles) through Effingham County and injured two people. The surveys documented tornadoes affecting portions of Effingham, Jasper, Coles, Menard, Sangamon, Christian, Macon, Shelby, and Moultrie counties. Source