1928 — Sep 14, F4 Tornado, Rockford, (Winnebago, Boone Counties) IL      —     14

Compiled by Wayne Blanchard; last edit 2-15-2025 for upload to: http://www.usdeadlyevents.com/-

—  14  Grazulis.  Significant Tornadoes 1680-1991. 1993, pp. 468 and 821.

—  14  NWS  September Weather Trivia for Illinois. Lincoln, IL:  Weather Forecast Office, 2008.  

Narrative Information

Grazulis: “IL  Sep 14, 1928  15:22  14k [killed] 100inj  150y  26m  F4  Winnebago/Boone [counties]….The tornado damaged 30 blocks of Rockford…”

National Weather Service, Weather Forecast Office, Lincoln, IL: “A violent tornado, estimated at F4 intensity with winds over 200 mph, tore across Rockford. The tornado first touched down 8 miles south southwest of Rockford, and moved across the southeast part of the city. Four factories were damaged or destroyed, including the Rockford Chair and Furniture Company. Eight workers were killed there when the 3-story building collapsed. About a mile downstream, 3 boys were killed in a garage. The tornado was on the ground for 26 miles, dissipating in Boone County near Capron. A total of 14 people were killed, with around 100 injuries reported.” (NWS  September Weather Trivia for Illinois. Lincoln, IL:  Weather Forecast Office, 2008.)

Sources

Grazulis, Thomas P. Significant Tornadoes 1680-1991: A Chronology and Analysis of Events. St. Johnsbury, VE: Environmental Films, 1993, 1,326 pages.

National Weather Service. “Illinois Weather Trivia for September.” Lincoln, IL:  Weather Forecast Office, 2008. Accessed 2-15-2025 at: https://www.weather.gov/media/ilx/Trivia/wxTrivia_september.pdf