Alert archive / Illinois / Flash Flood Warnings in 2025
Flash Flood Warning 17, NWS Lincoln, IL
NWS Lincoln, IL issued this flash flood warning at Jul 26, 2025, 1:51 AM CDT for Menard County, Illinois. It was in force for 2 hr. No storm report in the archive falls inside the area while it was in force.
The area
The outline as issued.
The facts
- Issued
- Jul 26, 2025, 1:51 AM CDT (06:51 UTC)
- Expired
- Jul 26, 2025, 4:11 AM CDT
- In force
- 2 hr
- Issued by
- NWS Lincoln, IL
- Area
- Storm-based polygon
- Flood severity
- None
County Menard County, IL
The radar
The Lincoln radar (KILX), 42 km from the middle of the area, began a volume at 06:52 UTC, the scan nearest the moment this went out.
Open the radar archive at this moment
The archived warnings, watches and discussions in force at that minute are drawn over the scan, this one among them.
Did it verify
Not verified. The Iowa Environmental Mesonet's Cow found no qualifying storm report inside this flash flood warning while it was in force. That is not proof nothing happened: reports are thin where few people live.
Cow counts a report within 15 km of the polygon while the warning was in force: a tornado for a tornado warning; hail of 1 inch or more, a gust of 58 mph or more or wind damage for a severe thunderstorm warning; a flash flood report for a flash flood warning.
The nearest sounding before it
Lincoln, IL (KILX), launched 00:00Z, 6.9 hours before the alert went out and 104 km from the middle of its area. This is the routine balloon launch nearest before it, the air the forecaster had in hand, not a measurement taken for the alert.
- Mixed-layer CAPE
- 1800 J/kg
- Mixed-layer CIN
- -15 J/kg
- Mixed-layer LCL
- 1141 m above ground
- 0-6 km bulk shear
- 28 kt
- 0-1 km storm-relative helicity
- 48 m²/s²
- 0-3 km storm-relative helicity
- 68 m²/s²
- Significant tornado parameter
- 0.0
- Supercell composite
- 2.6
The text
As transmitted.
942
WGUS53 KILX 260651
FFWILX
ILC129-261000-
/O.NEW.KILX.FF.W.0017.250726T0651Z-250726T1000Z/
/00000.0.ER.000000T0000Z.000000T0000Z.000000T0000Z.OO/
BULLETIN - EAS ACTIVATION REQUESTED
Flash Flood Warning
National Weather Service Lincoln IL
151 AM CDT Sat Jul 26 2025
The National Weather Service in Lincoln has issued a
* Flash Flood Warning for...
Northwestern Menard County in central Illinois...
* Until 500 AM CDT.
* At 151 AM CDT, Doppler radar indicated thunderstorms producing
heavy rain across the warned area. Between 2 and 3.5 inches of
rain have fallen. The expected rainfall rate is 1 to 2 inches in 1
hour. Additional rainfall amounts of 1 to 2 inches are possible in
the warned area. Flash flooding is ongoing or expected to begin
shortly.
HAZARD...Flash flooding caused by thunderstorms.
SOURCE...Radar.
IMPACT...Flash flooding of small creeks and streams, urban
areas, highways, streets and underpasses as well as
other poor drainage and low-lying areas.
* Some locations that will experience flash flooding include...
Petersburg, Greenview, Oakford and Atterberry.
PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...
Turn around, don't drown when encountering flooded roads. Most flood
deaths occur in vehicles.
Be especially cautious at night when it is harder to recognize the
dangers of flooding.
&&
LAT...LON 4013 8974 4001 8973 3999 8999 4011 8999
4013 8985 4013 8984 4012 8983 4012 8981
4013 8979 4013 8975
FLASH FLOOD...RADAR INDICATED
EXPECTED RAINFALL RATE...1-2 INCHES IN 1 HOUR
$$
NMA1 follow-up statement
631
WGUS73 KILX 260911
FFSILX
Flash Flood Statement
National Weather Service Lincoln IL
411 AM CDT Sat Jul 26 2025
ILC129-260921-
/O.CAN.KILX.FF.W.0017.000000T0000Z-250726T1000Z/
/00000.0.ER.000000T0000Z.000000T0000Z.000000T0000Z.OO/
Menard IL-
411 AM CDT Sat Jul 26 2025
...FLASH FLOOD WARNING FOR NORTHWESTERN MENARD COUNTY HAS BEEN
REPLACED WITH A FLOOD ADVISORY...
The heavy rain has ended. Flooding is no longer expected to pose a
threat. Please continue to heed remaining road closures.
&&
LAT...LON 4013 8974 4001 8973 3999 8999 4011 8999
4013 8985 4013 8984 4012 8983 4012 8981
4013 8979 4013 8975
$$
NMAWhat forecasters said that day
The local office's own words before this flash flood warning went out, as it sent them, from the Iowa Environmental Mesonet's archive of National Weather Service text.
NWS Lincoln, IL wrote its last area forecast discussion before this flash flood warning went out at Jul 26, 1:05 AM CDT, 46 minutes earlier. Its key messages:
- A low probability (5-15% chance) of severe weather exists north of the I-70 corridor both today and Saturday.
- A Heat Advisory is in effect along and south of a Quincy to Paris line through Saturday. The oppressive heat will spread back northward across all of central Illinois Sunday through Tuesday as heat index values once again reach 105-115.
- Much cooler weather is on tap for the middle and end of next week...with a high probability (50-70% chance) that highs drop below 80 degrees by next Thursday.
Area forecast discussion, Jul 26, 1:05 AM CDT, 46 minutes before
Area Forecast Discussion...Updated Aviation National Weather Service Lincoln IL 105 AM CDT Sat Jul 26 2025 .KEY MESSAGES... - A low probability (5-15% chance) of severe weather exists north of the I-70 corridor both today and Saturday. - A Heat Advisory is in effect along and south of a Quincy to Paris line through Saturday. The oppressive heat will spread back northward across all of central Illinois Sunday through Tuesday as heat index values once again reach 105-115. - Much cooler weather is on tap for the middle and end of next week...with a high probability (50-70% chance) that highs drop below 80 degrees by next Thursday. && .UPDATE... Issued at 839 PM CDT Fri Jul 25 2025 A few clusters of thunderstorms continue across central Illinois this evening, though have seen a down-tick in the overall intensity over the past hour or so. Expect the severe threat to be low overnight as the boundary layer continues to stabilize with loss of daytime heating and increasing MLCIN. That being said, storms stretch back across portions of Missouri and Kansas with several models suggesting that convection may fill back in as the low level jet strengthens to our west late this evening. As storms track northeast into central Illinois overnight, slow storm motions and some possible training may result in some very localized heavy rain and potential flooding, especially near the Illinois River Valley which experienced some heavy rain earlier. Deubelbeiss && .DISCUSSION... Issued at 217 PM CDT Fri Jul 25 2025 A slow-moving frontal boundary stretches from Topeka, Kansas, to Chicago, Illinois. South of I-70, a remnant outflow from this mornings convection is visible on satellite and radar. Both boundaries will be the focus for scattered thunderstorms this afternoon. A seasonably hot and humid airmass is present, with temperatures in the mid-to-upper 80s and dewpoints in the mid-70s. The RAP analyzes moderately buoyant boundary layer conditions (1500-2500 J/kg MLCAPE) across central and southeast IL. Modest deep-layer shear (< 25 kts) will limit severe weather coverage. However, steep low-level lapse rates (> 8 C/km) amid moderate buoyancy could support multi-cell clusters capable of damaging downburst winds through early evening. Tonight, better coverage of showers and thunderstorms will evolve further north near the frontal boundary as a modest (20-25 kt) low-level jet impinges from the south. High-resolution guidance highlights a corridor of convection developing near the frontal boundary from Kansas City to Chicago. High moisture content (PW > 2") and slow storm motions bring a possibility of localized flash flooding. The 12z HREF QPF 6-hr PMM shows pockets of 1.5"-2" overnight, mainly north of the IL River Valley, where the 6-hr flash flood guidance may be exceeded. A Flood Watch has been issued for Knox, Stark, and Marshall counties due to the high probability of heavy rainfall. Additional thunderstorm activity is anticipated late Saturday morning and through the afternoon as a convectively-induced shortwave/MCV moves across central and northern IL. Robust PWATs and a lingering low-level jet will again favor localized pockets of +1"/hr rainfall rates. A low severe-weather risk also exists south of the frontal boundary and near any residual outflows. The continued hot and humid conditions have prompted an extension and expansion of the Heat Advisory through Saturday afternoon. Heat index values of 100-105 F will be common near and especially south of the I-72/Danville corridor. This advisory will likely be extended into Sunday, with a possible Extreme Heat Watch for Monday and Tuesday across parts of central and southeast IL. By then, the frontal boundary will have shifted north, mitigating rain/convective potential and associated temperature busts. Daily heat index values Monday and Tuesday are forecast to spike near 110 F. A major pattern change will occur by the middle of next week as the heat dome breaks down and an expansive area of Canadian high pressure sinks into the Upper Midwest and Great Lakes. Daily highs Thursday and Friday may not exceed 80 degrees. MJA && .AVIATION... (For the 06z TAFs through 06z Saturday Night) Issued at 105 AM CDT Sat Jul 26 2025 Clusters of convection continue to lift northeastward across central Illinois early this morning...mainly along and just north of the I-72 corridor. Based on current radar trends, have maintained thunder at KSPI/KDEC through 07z, at KCMI through 08z, and at KBMI through 09z. Once this activity exits, attention will turn to additional convection forming upstream N/NE of Kansas City. These storms will gradually spread NE overnight and will likely impact north-central Illinois after 10z. Have therefore added a PROB30 for thunder at KPIA/KBMI between 10z and 14z. After the early morning showers diminish, scattered storms will redevelop along old outflow boundaries during peak heating. Pinpointing this activity is challenging at this time range, but have generally maintained PROB30 for thunder at all terminals for the afternoon. Barnes && .ILX WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES... Flood Watch through this evening for ILZ027-028-030. Heat Advisory until 7 PM CDT this evening for ILZ049>057-061>063- 066>068-071>073. &&
Hazardous weather outlook, Jul 25, 2:53 PM CDT, 10 hours 58 minutes before
Hazardous Weather Outlook National Weather Service Lincoln IL 253 PM CDT Fri Jul 25 2025 ILZ027>031-036>038-040>048-262000- Knox-Stark-Peoria-Marshall-Woodford-Fulton-Tazewell-McLean-Schuyler- Mason-Logan-De Witt-Piatt-Champaign-Vermilion-Cass-Menard- 253 PM CDT Fri Jul 25 2025 This Hazardous Weather Outlook is for central Illinois, east central Illinois and west central Illinois. .DAY ONE...Tonight. Heat indices up to 100 degrees are expected through early evening. Scattered thunderstorms are expected late this afternoon and evening. Some of these storms could become strong or severe. The primary hazards would be locally damaging wind gusts and heavy rain that could produce localized flash flooding. .DAYS TWO THROUGH SEVEN...Saturday through Thursday. Dangerously hot conditions persist through early next week. Afternoon heat indices up to 110 degrees are likely. Isolated to scattered thunderstorms are expected through the weekend. Strong to severe thunderstorms are possible Saturday, with a threat of damaging winds and locally heavy rain. .SPOTTER INFORMATION STATEMENT... Spotter activation may be needed late this afternoon and evening. ILZ049>057-061>063-066>068-071>073-262000- Scott-Morgan-Sangamon-Christian-Macon-Moultrie-Douglas-Coles-Edgar- Shelby-Cumberland-Clark-Effingham-Jasper-Crawford-Clay-Richland- Lawrence- 253 PM CDT Fri Jul 25 2025 This Hazardous Weather Outlook is for central Illinois, east central Illinois, southeast Illinois and west central Illinois. .DAY ONE...Tonight. Heat indices of 105 to 110 degrees are expected through early evening. A heat advisory is in effect through 7pm tomorrow. Isolated to scattered thunderstorms are possible this afternoon and evening. The primary hazards would be lightning, locally heavy rain, and gusty winds. Minor flooding will continue on the Little Wabash River near Clay City. .DAYS TWO THROUGH SEVEN...Saturday through Thursday. Dangerously hot conditions persist through early next week. Afternoon heat indices up to 110 degrees are likely. Isolated to scattered thunderstorms are expected through the weekend. While the severe weather threat appears low, areas of heavy rain are possible. Minor flooding will continue along the Little Wabash River near Clay City through Sunday morning. .SPOTTER INFORMATION STATEMENT... Spotter activation is not anticipated tonight. Copple
In the hours before
Special weather statement, Jul 25, 10:58 PM CDT, 2 hours 53 minutes before
Special Weather Statement
National Weather Service Lincoln IL
1058 PM CDT Fri Jul 25 2025
ILZ042-043-051-260430-
Logan-Sangamon-De Witt-
1058 PM CDT Fri Jul 25 2025
...A STRONG THUNDERSTORM WILL IMPACT SOUTHERN LOGAN...NORTHEASTERN
SANGAMON AND WEST CENTRAL DE WITT COUNTIES THROUGH 1130 PM CDT...
At 1057 PM CDT, Doppler radar was tracking a strong thunderstorm near
Mount Pulaski, or 10 miles south of Lincoln, moving northeast at 25
mph.
HAZARD...Wind gusts of 50 to 55 mph.
SOURCE...Radar indicated.
IMPACT...Gusty winds could knock down tree limbs and blow around
unsecured objects.
Locations impacted include...
Mount Pulaski, Elkhart, Chestnut, Beason, Cornland, Broadwell, and
Midland City.
This includes Interstate 55 between mile markers 113 and 122.
PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...
If outdoors, consider seeking shelter inside a building.
Torrential rainfall is also occurring with this storm and may lead to
localized flooding. Do not drive your vehicle through flooded
roadways.
Frequent cloud to ground lightning is occurring with this storm.
Lightning can strike 10 miles away from a thunderstorm. Seek a safe
shelter inside a building or vehicle.
&&
LAT...LON 3985 8926 4000 8951 4009 8952 4018 8908
TIME...MOT...LOC 0357Z 218DEG 21KT 4000 8936
MAX HAIL SIZE...0.00 IN
MAX WIND GUST...55 MPH
DeubelbeissSpecial weather statement, Jul 25, 11:19 PM CDT, 2 hours 32 minutes before
Special Weather Statement
National Weather Service Lincoln IL
1119 PM CDT Fri Jul 25 2025
ILZ037-038-042>044-053-260500-
Logan-Tazewell-Macon-Piatt-De Witt-McLean-
1119 PM CDT Fri Jul 25 2025
...STRONG THUNDERSTORMS WILL IMPACT NORTHEASTERN LOGAN...NORTHWESTERN
PIATT...DE WITT...SOUTHEASTERN TAZEWELL...SOUTHWESTERN MCLEAN AND
NORTHEASTERN MACON COUNTIES THROUGH MIDNIGHT CDT...
At 1118 PM CDT, Doppler radar was tracking strong thunderstorms along
a line extending from Armington to near Chestnut. Movement was
northeast at 30 mph.
HAZARD...Wind gusts up to 50 mph.
SOURCE...Radar indicated.
IMPACT...Gusty winds could knock down tree limbs and blow around
unsecured objects.
Locations impacted include...
Bloomington, Normal, Clinton, Heyworth, Maroa, Atlanta, Danvers,
McLean, Stanford, Wapella, Waynesville, Weldon, Armington, Kenney,
Chestnut, Beason, Lawndale, Clinton Power Station, Weldon Springs
State Park, and Lane.
This includes the following highways...
Interstate 55 between mile markers 134 and 163.
Interstate 74 between mile markers 121 and 138.
PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...
If outdoors, consider seeking shelter inside a building.
Torrential rainfall is also occurring with these storms and may lead
to localized flooding. Do not drive your vehicle through flooded
roadways.
Frequent cloud to ground lightning is occurring with these storms.
Lightning can strike 10 miles away from a thunderstorm. Seek a safe
shelter inside a building or vehicle.
&&
LAT...LON 4062 8907 4004 8870 4002 8920 4035 8939
TIME...MOT...LOC 0418Z 242DEG 24KT 4033 8928 4006 8914
MAX HAIL SIZE...0.00 IN
MAX WIND GUST...50 MPH
DeubelbeissLocal storm report, Jul 25, 11:44 PM CDT, 2 hours 7 minutes before
Preliminary Local Storm Report
National Weather Service Lincoln IL
1144 PM CDT Fri Jul 25 2025
..TIME... ...EVENT... ...CITY LOCATION... ...LAT.LON...
..DATE... ....MAG.... ..COUNTY LOCATION..ST.. ...SOURCE....
..REMARKS..
1033 PM Tstm Wnd Dmg Middletown 40.11N 89.59W
07/25/2025 Logan IL Public
branches down. time estimated from radar.
&&Local storm report, Jul 25, 11:47 PM CDT, 2 hours 4 minutes before
Preliminary Local Storm Report
National Weather Service Lincoln IL
1147 PM CDT Fri Jul 25 2025
..TIME... ...EVENT... ...CITY LOCATION... ...LAT.LON...
..DATE... ....MAG.... ..COUNTY LOCATION..ST.. ...SOURCE....
..REMARKS..
1107 PM Tstm Wnd Gst 2 WNW Lincoln 40.16N 89.39W
07/25/2025 E60 MPH Logan IL Trained Spotter
Trained spotter estimated 60 mph wind gust.
&&
BMDLocal storm report, Jul 25, 11:57 PM CDT, 1 hour 54 minutes before
Preliminary Local Storm Report
National Weather Service Lincoln IL
1157 PM CDT Fri Jul 25 2025
..TIME... ...EVENT... ...CITY LOCATION... ...LAT.LON...
..DATE... ....MAG.... ..COUNTY LOCATION..ST.. ...SOURCE....
..REMARKS..
1130 PM Tstm Wnd Dmg Waynesville 40.24N 89.13W
07/25/2025 De Witt IL Emergency Mngr
large limbs down.
&&Special weather statement, Jul 26, 12:37 AM CDT, 1 hour 14 minutes before
Special Weather Statement
National Weather Service Lincoln IL
1237 AM CDT Sat Jul 26 2025
ILZ045-260600-
Champaign-
1237 AM CDT Sat Jul 26 2025
...A STRONG THUNDERSTORM WILL IMPACT SOUTHEASTERN MCLEAN AND
NORTHWESTERN CHAMPAIGN COUNTIES THROUGH 100 AM CDT...
At 1237 AM CDT, Doppler radar was tracking a strong thunderstorm near
Saybrook, or near Gibson City, moving northeast at 25 mph.
HAZARD...Wind gusts of 50 to 55 mph.
SOURCE...Radar indicated.
IMPACT...Gusty winds could knock down tree limbs and blow around
unsecured objects.
Locations impacted include...
Foosland.
PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...
If outdoors, consider seeking shelter inside a building.
&&
LAT...LON 4035 8825 4031 8846 4040 8846 4040 8821
TIME...MOT...LOC 0537Z 242DEG 21KT 4038 8844
MAX HAIL SIZE...0.00 IN
MAX WIND GUST...55 MPH
NMAThe office that day
Everything else NWS Lincoln, IL issued on the same UTC day.
| Issued | Product | Office | Counties | Lasted |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jul 25, 9:20 PM CDT | Special Weather Statement | ILX | Cass | 25 min |
| Jul 25, 9:21 PM CDT | Special Weather Statement | ILX | Marshall, Woodford | 24 min |
| Jul 25, 9:34 PM CDT | Special Weather Statement | ILX | Cass | 11 min |
| Jul 25, 9:41 PM CDT | Special Weather Statement | ILX | Woodford | 34 min |
| Jul 25, 9:45 PM CDT | Special Weather Statement | ILX | Menard | 30 min |
| Jul 25, 9:56 PM CDT | Severe Thunderstorm Warning | ILX | Cass, Menard | 34 min |
| Jul 25, 10:13 PM CDT | Severe Thunderstorm Warning | ILX | Mason, Menard | 47 min |
| Jul 25, 10:36 PM CDT | Severe Thunderstorm Warning | ILX | Logan, Tazewell | 39 min |
| Jul 25, 10:58 PM CDT | Special Weather Statement | ILX | Logan | 32 min |
| Jul 25, 11:19 PM CDT | Special Weather Statement | ILX | DeWitt | 41 min |
| Jul 25, 11:27 PM CDT | Areal Flood Advisory | ILX | Logan, Mason, Menard | 3 hr |
| Jul 25, 11:29 PM CDT | Severe Thunderstorm Warning | ILX | DeWitt, McLean | 46 min |
| Jul 25, 11:40 PM CDT | Areal Flood Advisory | ILX | Morgan, Sangamon | 3 hr |
| Jul 25, 11:53 PM CDT | Severe Thunderstorm Warning | ILX | McLean, Woodford | 52 min |
| Jul 26, 12:13 AM CDT | Severe Thunderstorm Warning | ILX | McLean | 32 min |
| Jul 26, 12:37 AM CDT | Special Weather Statement | ILX | Champaign | 23 min |
| Jul 26, 12:40 AM CDT | Areal Flood Advisory | ILX | Menard, Sangamon | 3 hr |
| Jul 26, 1:26 AM CDT | Areal Flood Advisory | ILX | Cass, Mason, Menard | 2 hr |
| Jul 26, 2:15 AM CDT | Flash Flood Warning | ILX | Logan, Mason, Menard | 119 min |
| Jul 26, 2:50 AM CDT | Special Weather Statement | ILX | McLean | 25 min |
| Jul 26, 4:11 AM CDT | Areal Flood Advisory | ILX | Menard | 2 hr |
| Jul 26, 4:14 AM CDT | Areal Flood Advisory | ILX | Logan, Menard | 2 hr |
| Jul 26, 8:28 AM CDT | Special Weather Statement | ILX | Fulton | 17 min |
| Jul 26, 1:45 PM CDT | Flood Watch | ILX | Cass, Champaign, Christian, DeWitt, Logan, McLean and 9 more | 13 hr |
| Jul 26, 5:19 PM CDT | Special Weather Statement | ILX | Sangamon | 26 min |
| Jul 26, 5:42 PM CDT | Severe Thunderstorm Warning | ILX | Champaign, Piatt | 48 min |
| Jul 26, 6:31 PM CDT | Flash Flood Warning | ILX | Champaign, Piatt | 3 hr |
Nearby
Flash Flood Warnings in Illinois, 2025Every flash flood warning in 2025
Sources
The product and its follow-ups from the Iowa Environmental Mesonet's archive of National Weather Service and Storm Prediction Center text; the sounding from the Mesonet's radiosonde archive; radar from the NEXRAD Level II archive.