GENESEO, Illinois — Meteorologists from the U.S. National Weather Service in the Quad Cities confirmed two additional tornadoes, which touched down in Henry County, Illinois Friday evening near Geneseo and Atkinson.
The first tornado formed around 6:24 p.m. approximately 4 miles east northeast of Morristown, Illinois and then traveled northeast through parts of Geneseo before lifting at 6:31 p.m. The tornado traveled 3.6 miles and was 300 yards wide. Wind speeds reached 135 mph at peak intensity making it an EF-2 tornado on the Enhanced Fujita Scale.
Ground scouring was found near Interstate 80 around the Geneseo exit, tearing a path through the surrounding fields heading toward town. Several buildings were damaged to completely destroyed, including farms, businesses, and warehouses. Several vehicles and trees were also damaged in the path of the tornado. No injuries were reported.
A second tornado touched down shortly after 4 miles northwest of Atkinson around 6:33 p.m. It was also rated an EF-2 with winds of 110 mph. It traveled 3.1 miles and had a width of 200 yards. Survey crews found damage to farmsteads with one outbuilding totally destroyed. Debris was scattered in nearby fields. No injuries were reported.
A third tornado touched down 3 miles northeast of Atkinson near Hooppole, Illinois around 6:37 p.m. It was rated an EF-2 with maximum winds of 120 mph. It traveled 9.8 miles and was 200 yards wide before lifting 1 mile west northwest of Thomas in Bureau County around 6:46 p.m. The tornado tracked through Hooppole, where it grew to nearly 440 yards wide at some points, damaging a house and some grain/silo bins. Significant tree damage was also found along the path with more outbuildings and barns also damaged. One house lost its roof near the end of the path with another grain silo taking on significant damage. No injuries were reported.
Crews are still surveying damage throughout the Quad Cities region and it is expected that the total tornado count will continue to grow as these damage assessments are completed in the coming days.
This brings the total tornado count to 13 for the Quad Cities region, with many of the tornadoes being rated EF-1 and EF-2 in strength.