Illinois is the third most tornado-prone state behind Maryland and Nebraska, according to statistics from VorTek.

After last year’s tornado in Utica and historical F5 rated tornado in Crest Hill on August 28 1990, the state of Illinois has seen a string of tornado outbreaks.

According to the U.S Department of Commerce National Oceanic & Atmospheric Administration, on May 26, 1917, a tornado traveled across Illinois and Indiana for 293 miles. The storm lasted seven hours approximately. It killed 101 people and injured 638 others.

During the decade that followed on March 18, 1925, a tornado developed near Ellington, Mo., it cut across southern Illinois into Indiana killing 695 people, of which 234 of them lived in Murphysboro, Ill., and 2,027 people were injured.

The Palm Sunday outbreak, which occurred on April 11 and 12, 1965 affected parts of the Great Lakes region from Wisconsin and Illinois, Michigan and Ohio. This outbreak resulted in 256 deaths and 3, 402 injuries.

The Super Outbreak of April 3 and 4, 1974 a total of 148 tornadoes went through Illinois and Indiana into Michigan and Ohio, the Tennessee Valley into Mississippi and Alabama.

“This outbreak produced the largest number of tornadoes, with 30 causing F4 damage or worse. On one occasion, as many as five large tornadoes were on the ground at one time,”NOAA Web site.

This outbreak killed 315 people and injured 6,142.

The National Weather Service Web site recommends to move to a pre-designated shelter, such as a basement when a tornado warning is issued in the area. However, if an underground shelter is not available, move to a hallway or room on the lowest level and stay away rom windows.

For more information about tornados and severe weather visit the National Oceanic & Atmospheric Administration Web site at www.noaa.gov