Tornadoes rip through Tazewell, Christian, and Macon counties, leaving thousands without power, Illinois
Multiple tornadoes, including an EF-1 with peak winds of 158 km/h (98 mph), touched down in Illinois on Sunday, December 28, 2025, with significant damage and power outages being reported across Tazewell, Christian, and Macon counties.
EF-1 Tornado damage in Tazewell County on December 28, 2025. Credit: Tazewell County EMA
An EF-1 tornado with peak winds of 158 km/h (98 mph) touched down along Allentown Road at 08:27 LT on Sunday, roughly 5 km (3 miles) east of Pekin High School in Tazewell County, and travelled about 2.82 km (1.75 miles) along the road.
The twister destroyed two outbuildings and uprooted multiple trees along Allentown Road, snapped off 8 power poles, and caused minor damage to the roof along the Springfield Road.
EF-1 Tornado damage in Tazewell County on December 28, 2025. Credit: Tazewell CountyEMA- EF-1 Tornado damage in Tazewell County on December 28, 2025. Credit: Tazewell CountyEMA
- EF-1 Tornado damage in Tazewell County on December 28, 2025. Credit: Tazewell CountyEMA
- EF-1 Tornado damage in Tazewell County on December 28, 2025. Credit: Tazewell CountyEMA
- EF-1 Tornado damage in Tazewell County on December 28, 2025. Credit: Tazewell CountyEMA
- EF-1 Tornado damage in Tazewell County on December 28, 2025. Credit: Tazewell CountyEMA
- EF-1 Tornado damage in Tazewell County on December 28, 2025. Credit: Tazewell CountyEMA
- EF-1 Tornado damage in Tazewell County on December 28, 2025. Credit: Tazewell CountyEMA
The Macon County Emergency Management Agency confirmed another tornado briefly touched down near Blue Mound around 15:05 LT, crossing Route 48, adding that no damage was identified in the area.
The third tornado touched down around 15:10 LT in the Long Creek area. Multiple homes along Jeanette Drive, Skyline Drive, and Baltimore Avenue were damaged, with at least two homes having their roofs torn off. Damage was also reported on Walmsley Road and Bentonville Road.
According to local utility provider Ameren Illinois, over 2 400 customers in Macon County were out of power after the tornado downed lines and damaged poles. Restoration efforts continued into the evening as severe weather warnings gradually expired.
Tragic tornado damage reported SE of Decatur, IL near Long Creek. Homes damaged, trees felled, fences destroyed, and animals missing as the tornado tore through a subdivision on the far SE side of Decatur. Emergency crews are responding; expect road closures and power outages.… pic.twitter.com/6qx7WuVQUN
— Chicago & Midwest Storm Chasers (@ChicagoMWeather) December 28, 2025
Elsewhere, storms associated with the same frontal system caused wind damage in Livingston County, where a school roof was partially lifted, and multiple homes were damaged. Tornado watches covered much of central Illinois during the afternoon as the system advanced eastward toward Indiana.
References:
1 Storm Reports – SPC – December 28, 2025
2 2 tornadoes damage homes, knock out power in Macon Co. – WAND News – December 28, 2025
3 School, multiple homes damaged by severe storms in Livingston County – NBC Chicago – December 28, 2025
I am an Assistant Editor and Severe Weather & Science Journalist at The Watchers, specializing in real-time severe weather coverage, geophysical event reporting, and research-driven scientific analysis. You can reach me at rishav(at)watchers(.)news.
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