Illinois ranks first in US for severe weather this year, data shows

Illinois is leading the nation in severe storms to far this year, and it’s not even close.

So far in 2026, the state has logged more than 300 storm reports including 130 for wind damage, 115 for hail and 59 tornadoes.

Those numbers rank highest in the U.S. in nearly every category; only Alabama and Georgia have had more wind damage reports.

Illinois, as well as Mississippi, account for one-third of all tornadoes so far across the country.

Through the first week of April, the U.S. has had 313 preliminary tornadoes, which is only about 21 above the 15-year average.

All of these numbers are expected to surge next week as a stretch of severe storms takes over the Plains and parts of the Midwest.