Cape Girardeau, MO – A fast-moving EF1 tornado crossed the Mississippi River on Saturday evening, carving an 18.23-mile path from southeast Missouri into southern Illinois before dissipating just after 6:20 p.m.
According to the National Weather Service in Paducah, the tornado touched down at 6:05 p.m. CDT on March 30, two miles north of Commerce, Missouri, in Alexander County. The storm reached peak winds of 105 mph and widened to 150 yards at its strongest point. It continued northeast, crossing into Pulaski County, Illinois, where it eventually lifted three miles southeast of Ullin.
The tornado uprooted and snapped trees, while a few structures sustained roof damage along its track. The Grand Chain area in Pulaski County experienced additional damage from strong straight-line winds reaching 90 mph that followed the tornado. Wind damage was also reported sporadically into western Massac County.
Despite the storm’s intensity, no injuries or fatalities occurred. The tornado’s impact stretched across state lines, a reminder of the region’s vulnerability to severe spring weather.
Residents in tornado-prone areas along the Mississippi River corridor are urged to review safety plans and remain alert during peak storm months. Local emergency crews continue damage assessments and cleanup efforts.
