IL

Storm restoration across White County

White County sits in the "Little Egypt" region of far southeastern Illinois along the Wabash River, placing it squarely in the path of severe weather systems that track northeast out of the Gulf states and across the Ohio Valley. The county lies within the NWS Paducah forecast area and receives tornadoes, large hail, and straight-line wind events from supercells and squall lines during the April-through-June peak season; the 1925 Tri-State Tornado - the deadliest in U.S. history - passed just two miles north of Carmi and narrowly missed Enfield and Crossville, killing 18 in the county. Derechos and severe thunderstorms producing golf-ball to baseball-sized hail and winds exceeding 60 mph cause recurring roof, siding, and structural damage across the county's farm buildings and older housing stock. The Wabash River and its tributaries generate significant flash and river flooding after heavy rain events, while ice storms and winter precipitation periodically stress trees, utility lines, and rooftops throughout the county each year.