Cleanup Continues as NWS Confirms Several Tornadoes in Kane County

(Updated on Thursday July 18)

The National Weather Service continues to assess damage following the storms that whipped through Kane County and surrounding areas on July 14 and 15.   Here's what they have confirmed so far.

July 15 Tornado - Sugar Grove to Aurora, EF1 with winds of 95 MPH

July 15 Tornado - Sugar Grove to North Aurora, EF0 with winds up to 85 MPH.   

July 14 Tornado - St. Charles, EF0  with winds up to 80 MPH. 

July 14 Tornado - Elburn EF-0 with winds of up to 80 MPH

Many communities are offering special brush pick-ups over the next week to remove debris and tree limbs.  Check your town or village websites for more information.

Also, in the wake of the severe storms that swept through the area on on July 14-15, 2024​, the Kane County Office of Emergency Management is collaborating with the Illinois Emergency Management Agency and the Office of Homeland Security to assess the damage to businesses and determine if the county qualifies for financial assistance.

To aid in the assessment, Kane County is seeking information from local businesses that may have suffered uninsured or underinsured losses. The types of losses under consideration include:

• Structural damage to buildings
• Loss of business due to power outages
• Loss of inventory due to damage or power outages, such as spoiled freezer or refrigerator contents

Business owners are urged to report their losses by emailing KaneCountyEOC@KaneCountyIL.gov. The email should include the following details:

• Business name
• Address
• Phone number
• Point of contact name, phone number, and email address
• A description of the losses, along with an estimate of the uninsured costs

A representative from the county will reach out if further information is needed.

Additionally, farms that have been affected by the storms are encouraged to contact their local USDA Service Center for assistance.

Kane County officials are working diligently to compile the necessary information to potentially secure financial aid and support the local businesses affected by the recent severe weather.​

(orginally posted on Tuesday July 15) 

Two turbulent nights in as many days brought significant wind damage and at least two tornadoes to parts of Kane County and surrounding areas. According to the National Weather Service, an EF-0 tornado was confirmed in Elburn Sunday night.. 

The Kane County Courthouse on Third Street and Wheeler Park in Geneva experienced tree damage, with limbs strewn across the park. Similar damage was reported in Big Rock, North Aurora, Burlington, Maple Park, Lily Lake, South Elgin, Campton Hills, and Algonquin. Several homes in St. Charles sustained damage along with homes in Elburn.   The Village of North Aurora posted on Facebook that the village suffered extensive damage in an​​ area south of Oak Street from Windstone Drive to Route 31.     ​

Picture from the City of St. Charles 

The Kane County Office of Emergency Management will be out assessing damage caused to the back to back storms.   Emergency Management staff and volunteers along with crews from the Kane County Division of Transportation were out clearing roads and removing trees over the two day storm period. 

Picture from Tony Dominik - Elburn 

Monday Morning Earthquake: Following the stormy evening, the United States Geological Survey (USGS) reported a small earthquake. The USGS recorded a 3.4 magnitude earthquake near Somonauk, Illinois, in DeKalb County. The quake struck around 2:53 a.m. on Monday. While no damage was reported, vibrations were felt in some parts of Montgomery and Aurora.

According to the USGS, there have been at least two significant earthquakes in Kane County:

• Feb. 10, 2010: 3.8 magnitude, 2 km northwest of Lily Lake (Kane County)

• June 10, 2013: 2.6 magnitude, 4 km northeast of Virgil (Kane County)