Story perspectives

Midwest Storms Knock Out Power, Kill Two, Derail Train

6/22/2026

Summary

Story summary

The June 18 storm system left more than 82,000 customers without power in Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kentucky and Wisconsin and produced a tornado in Effingham County, Illinois that destroyed 30 homes and triggered a disaster declaration.
Jefferson County Sheriff Jeff Bullard confirmed two deaths when strong storms destroyed trailer homes on June 22.
Straight-line winds derailed a BNSF freight train near Monmouth, Illinois, with no injuries or spills.

History

Historical Context

The April 3-4 1974 Super Outbreak ripped through 13 states with 147 tornadoes and about 315 deaths, prompting the National Weather Service and Dr. Tetsuya Fujita’s team to overhaul warning systems. Those reforms created real-time alerts that today’s June 18 storm across Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kentucky and Wisconsin relies on to issue warnings and disaster declarations.

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Story summary

The June 18 storm system left more than 82,000 customers without power in Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kentucky and Wisconsin and produced a tornado in Effingham County, Illinois that destroyed 30 homes and triggered a disaster declaration.
Jefferson County Sheriff Jeff Bullard confirmed two deaths when strong storms destroyed trailer homes on June 22.
Straight-line winds derailed a BNSF freight train near Monmouth, Illinois, with no injuries or spills.

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