IL

Storm restoration across Marion County

Marion County sits in southern Illinois within the active severe weather corridor where Gulf moisture collides with cold continental air, making it vulnerable to tornadoes, large hail, and derechos from spring through early fall. The county suffered a catastrophic EF4 tornado in May 1982 that killed 10 people and injured 181 in the city of Marion (Williamson County), and in May 2025 another EF4 tornado tracked 16 miles across adjacent Williamson County with 190 mph winds, underscoring the region's persistent tornado exposure. Derechos and straight-line wind events regularly produce widespread structural and roof damage across the county, and flash flooding is a recurring hazard along the county's creek and river drainages following heavy convective rainfall. Winter storms bring ice accumulation and heavy snow capable of causing roof collapses and widespread tree and power-line damage, with temperatures historically dropping to extremes near -23°F.