Illinois and Hurricanes: A Match Made in... Neverland?
Ah, Illinois. Land of Lincoln, deep dish pizzas, and... hurricanes? Well, not exactly. Illinois, nestled comfortably in the middle of the United States, is about as far from the hurricane highway as you can get. But hey, that doesn't mean a little tropical excitement can't brush shoulders with the Windy City every now and then.
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| How Many Hurricanes Have Hit Illinois |
They Came, They Saw, They... Fizzled Out?
Believe it or not, the National Weather Service counts a whopping 33 tropical systems that have wandered into Illinois' territory [National Weather Service: Climatology of Tropical Storm/Hurricane Remnants in Illinois]. That's right, 33! Now, before you start stocking up on sandbags, here's the kicker: most of these were mere shadows of their former hurricane selves by the time they reached Illinois.
Imagine a boxer who trained like Rocky Balboa, psyched himself up for the fight of the century, only to get into the ring and discover his opponent is a pillow. That's basically what happens to hurricanes by the time they reach Illinois. They're tired, they've lost most of their punch, and all they can muster is a little rain and some gusty winds.
There have been a few exceptions, though. Tropical Storm Alberto in 2018 swung by, providing some much-needed rain, but mostly just giving meteorologists a chance to dust off their tropical weather vocabulary. More recently, the remnants of Hurricane Ike in 2008 brought enough flooding to turn 16 Illinois counties into disaster zones. Yikes!
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But here's the bottom line: Illinois has never been hit by a full-blown hurricane. Those ferocious storms tend to fizzle out before they get a chance to throw a tropical tantrum in the Midwest.
So, What's the Deal with the 33 Tropical Systems?
Those 33 tropical systems are like the uninvited guests at a party. They show up, they linger for a bit, but they don't exactly liven things up. Most of the time, they bring some rain, maybe a little wind, and then they mosey on out.
Think of it this way: Illinois is more likely to get hit by a rogue cow falling from the sky (don't worry, the odds are still astronomically low) than a direct hit from a hurricane.
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FAQ: Hurricanes in Illinois - You Asked, We Answered (Kinda)
How to prepare for a hurricane in Illinois?
Relax, buddy. Focus on more likely threats like rogue squirrels or surprise deep dish pizza contests.
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How to track potential hurricanes heading for Illinois?
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Grab a comfy chair, a good book, and settle in. You're in for a long wait.
How to tell if a tropical system is going to affect Illinois?
If you see palm trees spontaneously sprouting outside your window, that's a good sign. Otherwise, you're probably safe.
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How to hurricane-proof your home in Illinois?
Invest in a really good raincoat. That's about all you'll need.
How to stay informed about severe weather in Illinois?
Pay attention to local news and weather alerts. But mostly, focus on enjoying that Illinois sunshine (because, let's face it, it can be scarce sometimes).
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