IL

Storm restoration across Henry County

Henry County sits in northwest-central Illinois within the NWS Quad Cities forecast area and is struck by the full range of central-plains severe weather. Tornadoes are a documented and recurring hazard, with 69 recorded events through 2024, including a destructive F3 in 1918 and a 110-mph EF1 near Annawan in February 2024; large hail - commonly quarter-size to golf-ball size - frequently accompanies supercell thunderstorms, with 1.75-inch stones recorded near Geneseo and Atkinson. The county lies in the path of major Midwest derechos: the July 15, 2024 derecho produced estimated straight-line winds of 80-100 mph in Cambridge and widespread tree, roof, and structural damage in Kewanee, Galva, and the Andover corridor. River flooding is a recurring threat along the Illinois River corridor near the town of Henry, which set a record crest of 32.87 feet in April 2013, while winter storms bring heavy snow, ice accumulation, dangerous wind chills below -35°F, and ice-jam flooding risk on area rivers.