Tornado outbreak of April 20, 2004

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April 20, 2004 tornado outbreak
Memorial crosses, Utica
Meteorological history
DurationApril 20, 2004
Tornado outbreak
Tornadoes31
Maximum ratingF3 tornado
DurationApproximately 4 hours
Overall effects
Fatalities8 (+1 indirect)
Injuries21
Areas affectedIllinois, Indiana, Iowa

Part of the tornado outbreaks of 2004

A destructive tornado outbreak devastated parts of the U.S. Upper Midwest on April 20, 2004. A total of 31 tornadoes formed in eastern Iowa, extending into northern and central Illinois and Indiana. A tornado that struck Utica, Illinois, was the only one to cause fatalities. The outbreak was largely unexpected, as the SPC had only predicted a "slight risk" of severe weather in the afternoon of the event.