Plainfield, IL – Thirty-five years ago today, a catastrophic F5 tornado ripped through parts of Will and Kendall counties in northeastern Illinois, leaving a lasting scar on the region and prompting significant changes in weather forecasting and emergency preparedness.
The tornado struck on a hot and humid Tuesday afternoon, August 28, 1990, between 3:15 and 3:45 p.m., carving a 16.4-mile path of destruction that claimed 29 lives and injured 353 others. With wind speeds estimated near 300 mph and a damage width of up to half a mile, it remains the only F5 tornado to ever strike the Chicago metropolitan area and the only one on record in the U.S. during the month of August.
According to the National Weather Service and historical reports, the tornado touched down near Oswego and intensified as it moved southeast through Wheatland Township and into Plainfield. The storm destroyed Plainfield High School, heavily damaged St. Mary Immaculate Church and School, and devastated numerous residential neighborhoods in Joliet and Crest Hill.
Meteorologists later determined that a lack of timely warning contributed to the storm’s toll. No tornado warning was issued until after the tornado had lifted. The event, marked by extreme instability and unusual southeastward movement, led to major reforms in radar technology, including the accelerated deployment of the NEXRAD Doppler radar system nationwide.
In the aftermath, Will County communities rebuilt with resilience. A memorial now stands in Plainfield to honor the victims, and annual commemorations, including today’s remembrance, continue to draw survivors, families, and first responders.
The Plainfield Tornado remains a pivotal event in Illinois weather history, serving as both a tragic reminder and a call for continued preparedness.
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