Alert archive / Iowa / Flash Flood Warnings in 2026
Flash Flood Warning 23, NWS Quad Cities, IA
NWS Quad Cities, IA issued this flash flood warning at Jun 17, 2026, 7:55 AM CDT for 9 counties in Iowa; Mercer County, Rock Island County, Illinois. It was in force for 5 hr. No storm report in the archive falls inside the area while it was in force.
The area
The counties it named.
The facts
- Issued
- Jun 17, 2026, 7:55 AM CDT (12:55 UTC)
- Expired
- Jun 17, 2026, 1:19 PM CDT
- In force
- 5 hr
- Issued by
- NWS Quad Cities, IA
- Area
- Storm-based polygon
- Flood severity
- None
Counties Cedar County, IA, Iowa County, IA, Johnson County, IA, Jones County, IA, Keokuk County, IA, Linn County, IA, Louisa County, IA, Muscatine County, IA, Washington County, IA, Mercer County, IL, Rock Island County, IL
The radar
The Quad Cities radar (KDVN), 66 km from the middle of the area, began a volume at 12:56 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.
The nearest sounding before it
Davenport, (KDVN), launched 12:00Z, 0.9 hours before the alert went out and 73 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
- 0 J/kg
- Mixed-layer CIN
- No buoyant parcel
- Mixed-layer LCL
- 2165 m above ground
- 0-6 km bulk shear
- 52 kt
- 0-1 km storm-relative helicity
- 179 m²/s²
- 0-3 km storm-relative helicity
- 218 m²/s²
- Significant tornado parameter
- 0.0
- Supercell composite
- 0.0
What 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 Quad Cities, IA wrote its last area forecast discussion before this flash flood warning went out at Jun 17, 6:48 AM CDT, 1 hour 7 minutes earlier. Its key messages:
- Slight/Enhanced Risk (level 2/3 of 5) for severe storms early this morning around sunrise, lasting through mid morning.The primary threat with these storms will be large to very large hail.
- Late this morning and through the afternoon, much of the area will have a threat for more severe storms, with the whole area under a severe threat ranging from a Slight Risk (level 2 of 5) in our northwest to a Moderate Risk (level 4 of 5) in our extreme southeast/east.
- High moisture content over the area will allow for heavy rainfall with any storms through today. Flash flooding will be possible in areas that see repeating rounds of storms, especially in areas that recently saw heavy rainfall. Flood Watch remains in effect for areas in West-Central Illinois.
- Quiet weather will be seen through the second half of the work week, with the pattern becoming active again this weekend and beyond.
Area forecast discussion, Jun 17, 6:48 AM CDT, 1 hour 7 minutes before
Area Forecast Discussion National Weather Service Quad Cities IA IL 648 AM CDT Wed Jun 17 2026 .KEY MESSAGES... - Slight/Enhanced Risk (level 2/3 of 5) for severe storms early this morning around sunrise, lasting through mid morning.The primary threat with these storms will be large to very large hail. - Late this morning and through the afternoon, much of the area will have a threat for more severe storms, with the whole area under a severe threat ranging from a Slight Risk (level 2 of 5) in our northwest to a Moderate Risk (level 4 of 5) in our extreme southeast/east. - High moisture content over the area will allow for heavy rainfall with any storms through today. Flash flooding will be possible in areas that see repeating rounds of storms, especially in areas that recently saw heavy rainfall. Flood Watch remains in effect for areas in West-Central Illinois. - Quiet weather will be seen through the second half of the work week, with the pattern becoming active again this weekend and beyond. && .SHORT TERM /THROUGH TONIGHT/... Issued at 215 AM CDT Wed Jun 17 2026 Severe weather is expected today as a seasonably strong system moves through the region. This will bring two rounds of storms to eastern Iowa, northwest Illinois, and northeast Missouri: a first round in the morning hours (4-9 AM) and second round in the afternoon hours (12-7 PM). Morning storms are anticipated to have a primary threat of large hail and low damaging wind potential, while afternoon storms will be capable of all hazards, including tornadoes. In addition, heavy rain will lead to localized flash flooding, especially in areas that see repeated rounds of storms. A strong shortwave will move from the Northern Plains into the Upper Midwest this morning. Pressure heights are near or at the NAEFS climatological minimum for mid-June, while winds aloft are near or at their maximum. This can be seen in a strong (50-60 kts) zonal jet at 500 mb sampled upstream with today's 00Z soundings. As this system translates into the Upper Midwest early this morning, southerly to southwesterly flow across the central Plains will provide warm air advection and moisture, which will amplify with the LLJ towards sunrise. As a result, dewpoints are forecast to rise into the mid to upper 60s within a few hours after sunrise, creating a sharp gradient between the northern and southern halves of the CWA. Lift along this WAA wing will provide the focus for morning convection, with showers and storms across the area. For the morning, the greatest risk for severe storms is along and south of Interstate 80, though there is some uncertainty given a strong cap over the region. If storms are able to develop, shear magnitude and direction suggests a mixed storm mode with multicell and supercells storms. A favorable severe environment of high lapse rates (7.5-8.5 degC/km) and up to 2000 J/kg of MUCAPE will support a primary risk of large hail. In addition to the risk of large hail, heavy rain will be possible with these these storms. This should be a soaking rain this morning and flash flooding threat should be limited, save for areas that have a long residence time with storms. This would primarily occur with cells that move over the same areas, as storms in this first round will be moving quickly towards the east at 40-50 kts. By mid- to late morning, these storms will move east into central Illinois, giving the airmass time to recover. At this point, strong southwesterly flow will continue to feed in moisture and instability, providing the energy necessary for the second round of storms. The greatest area of uncertainty is in how much recovery time will be possible, as morning storms and showers could persist longer than anticipated. If the atmosphere is able to recover following morning storms, an environment favoring supercells will develop, leading to the potential for all hazard severe thunderstorms. Around 12 PM, forcing along the cold front will plow into a region of 2000 (north) to 4000 (south) J/kg of CAPE, providing the forcing necessary for convective initiation. These storms will be fast moving, with a storm motion of 50 kts to the east. Large hail and damaging winds are possible with all storms. Tornado threat will be more limited, with the best low level shear supporting the highest tornado threat in west-central Illinois. These storms will exit into central Illinois around 6-7 PM. Once these storms move off to our east, CAA advection behind the front will support westerly to northwesterly winds up to 20-25 mph, leading to a breezy night. && .LONG TERM /THURSDAY THROUGH TUESDAY/... Issued at 215 AM CDT Wed Jun 17 2026 Several pleasant, mainly dry days will follow our big system today. This will lead to temperatures below normal for highs and lows Thursday and Friday. Dry air should keep any rain threat low, though some energy skirting by aloft could bring some sprinkles or even a tiny thunderstorm as early as Friday night. Warm begins to spread northward again towards Saturday, as the flow aloft shifts towards a more active zonal flow regime. Models remain consistent in showing a warm front developing over the Midwest Saturday night, and having at least one significant wave of rain and thunderstorms/ potentially an MCS Sunday and Sunday night. There is latitude differences in the latest deterministic guidance, with the GFS shifting that axis a bit south, and the EC and GEM maintaining a more northerly frontal zone. Regardless, that will be the next period for us to focus on for both heavy rainfall and a thunderstorm risk. && .AVIATION /12Z TAFS THROUGH 12Z THURSDAY/... Issued at 648 AM CDT Wed Jun 17 2026 A severe, bowing line of storms is bearing down on KCID around 12Z and will quickly track southeast through KMLI and KBRL in the 13Z to 14Z timeframe. There have been several reports of 50-60+ kt gusts with this line and expect that threat, along with heavy rain, hail, lightning, and IFR conditions to accompany the line of storms. Additional storms are following in the wake of this line, so expect scattered to widespread storms through early afternoon, with some strong to severe thunderstorm development again possible at KMLI and KBRL in the early afternoon with potential for damaging winds, hail, and possibly tornadoes. Farther north, KDBQ will remain north of the severe line of storms in more stratiform rain with embedded thunderstorm activity and occasional lightning through around 18-19Z. Additional isolated storms are possible with the cold frontal passage late this afternoon into early evening for KCID, KDBQ, and KMLI, and a lower potential (less than 30%) at KBRL. Winds remain breezy throughout the day outside of storms, with breezy winds and VFR conditions behind storms this afternoon and evening. Low-level wind shear develops at most terminals again for a few hours this evening. && .DVN WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES... IA...None. IL...Flood Watch through this evening for ILZ009-016>018. MO...None. && SHORT TERM...Ellingworth LONG TERM...Ervin AVIATION...NWS
Hazardous weather outlook, Jun 17, 3:21 AM CDT, 4 hours 34 minutes before
Hazardous Weather Outlook National Weather Service Quad Cities IA IL 321 AM CDT Wed Jun 17 2026 IAZ040>042-051>054-063>068-076>078-087>089-098-099-ILZ001-002-007- 009-015>018-024>026-034-035-MOZ009-010-180830- Buchanan-Delaware-Dubuque-Benton-Linn-Jones-Jackson-Iowa-Johnson- Cedar-Clinton-Muscatine-Scott-Keokuk-Washington-Louisa-Jefferson- Henry IA-Des Moines-Van Buren-Lee-Jo Daviess-Stephenson-Carroll- Whiteside-Rock Island-Henry IL-Bureau-Putnam-Mercer-Henderson- Warren-Hancock-McDonough-Scotland-Clark- 321 AM CDT Wed Jun 17 2026 This Hazardous Weather Outlook is for portions of north central Illinois...northwest Illinois...west central Illinois...east central Iowa...northeast Iowa...southeast Iowa and northeast Missouri. .DAY ONE...TODAY AND TONIGHT The Wapsipinicon River is experiencing flooding. Please see the latest Flood Statements and Flood Warnings for details. A strong system will bring the potential for severe thunderstorms today. A Moderate, level 4 of 5, risk is forecast for central Illinois, with an Enhanced, level 3 of 5, risk of severe thunderstorms south of Highway 30 and the remainder of the area under a Slight, level 2 of 5, risk. The first round of thunderstorms will continue through late morning today, with a primary risk of large hail. After 12 PM, a second round of thunderstorms is expected along and ahead of the cold front, with all severe weather hazards possible, including tornadoes. Localized flash flooding will be possible during both rounds, especially in areas that see multiple rounds of storms. .DAYS TWO THROUGH SEVEN...THURSDAY THROUGH TUESDAY The next chance for thunderstorms will be Sunday and Sunday night. .SPOTTER INFORMATION STATEMENT... Spotter activation is expected this morning and this afternoon. Ellingworth/Ervin
In the hours before
Local storm report, Jun 17, 7:24 AM CDT, 31 minutes before
Preliminary Local Storm Report
National Weather Service Quad Cities IA IL
724 AM CDT Wed Jun 17 2026
..TIME... ...EVENT... ...CITY LOCATION... ...LAT.LON...
..DATE... ....MAG.... ..COUNTY LOCATION..ST.. ...SOURCE....
..REMARKS..
0716 AM Rain 1 N Ely 41.89N 91.59W
06/17/2026 M1.70 Inch Linn IA Trained Spotter
&&
argLocal storm report, Jun 17, 7:26 AM CDT, 29 minutes before
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</html>Local storm report, Jun 17, 7:28 AM CDT, 27 minutes before
Preliminary Local Storm Report
National Weather Service Quad Cities IA IL
728 AM CDT Wed Jun 17 2026
..TIME... ...EVENT... ...CITY LOCATION... ...LAT.LON...
..DATE... ....MAG.... ..COUNTY LOCATION..ST.. ...SOURCE....
..REMARKS..
0711 AM Tstm Wnd Dmg 1 SE Walford 41.88N 91.83W
06/17/2026 Linn IA Emergency Mngr
Firework sales tent collapsed.
&&
argLocal storm report, Jun 17, 7:30 AM CDT, 25 minutes before
Preliminary Local Storm Report
National Weather Service Quad Cities IA IL
730 AM CDT Wed Jun 17 2026
..TIME... ...EVENT... ...CITY LOCATION... ...LAT.LON...
..DATE... ....MAG.... ..COUNTY LOCATION..ST.. ...SOURCE....
..REMARKS..
0729 AM Flash Flood 3 WSW Cedar Rapids 41.95N 91.73W
06/17/2026 Linn IA Trained Spotter
2 to 3 feet deep water with a car stuck at
location.
&&
argLocal storm report, Jun 17, 7:32 AM CDT, 23 minutes before
Preliminary Local Storm Report
National Weather Service Quad Cities IA IL
732 AM CDT Wed Jun 17 2026
..TIME... ...EVENT... ...CITY LOCATION... ...LAT.LON...
..DATE... ....MAG.... ..COUNTY LOCATION..ST.. ...SOURCE....
..REMARKS..
0701 AM Tstm Wnd Dmg 2 SE Atkins 41.97N 91.83W
06/17/2026 Benton IA Emergency Mngr
tree snapped at location.
&&
argLocal storm report, Jun 17, 7:38 AM CDT, 17 minutes before
Preliminary Local Storm Report
National Weather Service Quad Cities IA IL
738 AM CDT Wed Jun 17 2026
..TIME... ...EVENT... ...CITY LOCATION... ...LAT.LON...
..DATE... ....MAG.... ..COUNTY LOCATION..ST.. ...SOURCE....
..REMARKS..
0715 AM Tstm Wnd Gst 3 E Cedar Rapids 41.97N 91.61W
06/17/2026 E70 MPH Linn IA Trained Spotter
Estimated wind gust. Torrential rainfall
also occurring at time of report.
&&
12The office that day
Everything else NWS Quad Cities, IA issued on the same UTC day.
| Issued | Product | Office | Counties | Lasted |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jun 17, 5:52 AM CDT | Severe Thunderstorm Warning | DVN | Johnson, Louisa, Muscatine, Washington | 53 min |
| Jun 17, 6:09 AM CDT | Severe Thunderstorm Warning | DVN | Benton, Iowa | 66 min |
| Jun 17, 6:45 AM CDT | Severe Thunderstorm Warning | DVN | Johnson, Keokuk, Linn, Washington | 60 min |
| Jun 17, 7:08 AM CDT | Severe Thunderstorm Warning | DVN | Cedar, Johnson, Jones, Keokuk, Linn, Louisa and 2 more | 52 min |
| Jun 17, 7:17 AM CDT | Severe Thunderstorm Warning | DVN | Des Moines, Henry, Jefferson, Keokuk, Louisa, Washington | 58 min |
| Jun 17, 7:24 AM CDT | Flash Flood Warning | DVN | Johnson, Linn | 6 hr |
| Jun 17, 7:35 AM CDT | Severe Thunderstorm Warning | DVN | Clinton, Jackson, Muscatine, Scott | 55 min |
| Jun 17, 7:57 AM CDT | Severe Thunderstorm Warning | DVN | Des Moines, Henry, Lee, Louisa, Van Buren | 63 min |
| Jun 17, 8:06 AM CDT | Severe Thunderstorm Warning | DVN | Jefferson, Lee, Van Buren | 39 min |
| Jun 17, 8:25 AM CDT | Flash Flood Warning | DVN | Cedar, Clinton, Muscatine, Scott | 5 hr |
| Jun 17, 8:43 AM CDT | Flash Flood Warning | DVN | Des Moines, Henry, Jefferson | 3 hr |
| Jun 17, 8:43 AM CDT | Severe Thunderstorm Warning | DVN | Lee, Van Buren | 62 min |
| Jun 17, 10:22 AM CDT | River Flood Warning | DVN | Johnson, Washington | 70 hr |
| Jun 17, 3:29 PM CDT | Severe Thunderstorm Warning | DVN | Lee | 61 min |
| Jun 17, 8:25 AM CDT | Severe Thunderstorm Warning | DVN | Bureau, Henry, Mercer, Rock Island, Whiteside | 65 min |
| Jun 17, 8:45 AM CDT | Flash Flood Warning | DVN | Henry, Mercer, Rock Island, Warren | 4 hr |
| Jun 17, 8:54 AM CDT | Severe Thunderstorm Warning | DVN | Hancock, Henderson, McDonough, Warren | 66 min |
| Jun 17, 9:08 AM CDT | Flash Flood Warning | DVN | McDonough, Warren | 6 hr |
| Jun 17, 9:13 AM CDT | Severe Thunderstorm Warning | DVN | Bureau, Putnam | 47 min |
| Jun 17, 4:08 PM CDT | Severe Thunderstorm Warning | DVN | McDonough | 23 min |
| Jun 17, 4:33 PM CDT | Severe Thunderstorm Warning | DVN | McDonough | 19 min |
Nearby
Flash Flood Warnings in Iowa, 2026Flash Flood Warnings in Illinois, 2026Every flash flood warning in 2026
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.