Severe Weather History


Illinois Heavy Rain History: 608 Recorded Events

609

Recorded events

66

Counties affected

1

Direct deaths

$1.3M

Property damage

Illinois heavy rain history: 609 recorded events across 66 counties between 1996 and 2026.

Decade by decade

Illinois heavy rain history by decade

Illinois heavy rain history: recorded events per decade
Illinois heavy rain history: recorded events per decade

The 2000s are the busiest decade on record with 241 reported heavy rain events across Illinois. Earlier decades are thinner because systematic reporting for this hazard expanded over time, not because the weather was calmer.

County ranking

Counties with the most heavy rain events in Illinois

RankCountyEventsDeathsDamageSpan
#1Cook County611$330K2003–2025
#2Stephenson County310$23K2003–2011
#3McDonough County250$207K2003–2013
#4Perry County240$02003–2015
#5Jo Daviess County220$5K2004–2011
#6Will County220$02006–2025
#7Franklin County210$18K2003–2015
#8Lake County210$01996–2025
#9Jefferson County210$52K2004–2015
#10Williamson County200$02003–2015
#11McHenry County190$02007–2024
#12Kane County160$02007–2025
#13Saline County150$02003–2015
#14Rock Island County140$8K2003–2011
#15Wabash County140$02004–2013
#16Jackson County120$30K2003–2015
#17Edwards County120$02006–2015
#18Winnebago County120$02006–2026
#19Massac County110$53K2003–2015
#20Henry County110$4K2001–2011
#21Kankakee County110$02009–2025
#22Livingston County100$02009–2025
#23LaSalle County100$02009–2025
#24Alexander County100$02003–2015
#25Carroll County90$25K1999–2024
Source: NOAA/NCEI Storm Events · ranked by recorded event count

Significant events

Deadliest heavy rain events in Illinois

DateCountyScaleDeathsInjuries
Sep 18, 2013Cook County—10
Source: NOAA/NCEI Storm Events · dates UTC

All hazards in Illinois · Heavy Rain across the U.S.