Alert archive / Illinois / Flash Flood Warnings in 2026
Flash Flood Warning 29, NWS Quad Cities, IA
NWS Quad Cities, IA issued this flash flood warning at Jul 4, 2026, 2:58 PM CDT for Bureau County, Putnam County, Illinois. It was in force for 5 hr. 2 reports came from inside the area while it was in force.
The area
The outline as issued, with what was reported inside it.
The facts
- Issued
- Jul 4, 2026, 2:58 PM CDT (19:58 UTC)
- Expired
- Jul 4, 2026, 7:36 PM CDT
- In force
- 5 hr
- Issued by
- NWS Quad Cities, IA
- Area
- Storm-based polygon
- Flood severity
- None
Counties Bureau County, IL, Putnam County, IL
The radar
The Chicago radar (KLOT), 109 km from the middle of the area, began a volume at 20:01 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.
What was reported inside it
| Time | Report | Where | Remark |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jul 4, 2:58 PM CDT | FLASH FLOOD | Spring Valley, IL | Multiple roads in Spring Valley closed due to water. |
| Jul 4, 3:00 PM CDT | FLASH FLOOD | 1 Wsw Depue, IL | Several roads closed due to high water in town. |
Local storm reports filed while the alert was in force, from inside its polygon or its counties.
Did it verify
Verified. The Iowa Environmental Mesonet's Cow matched 2 storm reports to this flash flood warning; the first came 0 minutes after it went out.
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 12:00Z, 8.0 hours before the alert went out and 140 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
- 1075 J/kg
- Mixed-layer CIN
- -92 J/kg
- Mixed-layer LCL
- 1043 m above ground
- 0-6 km bulk shear
- 28 kt
- 0-1 km storm-relative helicity
- 126 m²/s²
- 0-3 km storm-relative helicity
- 88 m²/s²
- Significant tornado parameter
- 0.0
- Supercell composite
- 2.2
The text
As transmitted.
540
WGUS53 KDVN 041958
FFWDVN
ILC011-155-050100-
/O.NEW.KDVN.FF.W.0029.260704T1958Z-260705T0100Z/
/00000.0.ER.000000T0000Z.000000T0000Z.000000T0000Z.OO/
BULLETIN - EAS ACTIVATION REQUESTED
Flash Flood Warning
National Weather Service Quad Cities IA IL
258 PM CDT Sat Jul 4 2026
The National Weather Service in Quad Cities has issued a
* Flash Flood Warning for...
Southeastern Bureau County in north central Illinois...
Northern Putnam County in north central Illinois...
* Until 800 PM CDT.
* At 258 PM CDT, emergency management reported thunderstorms
producing heavy rain in Depue and Spring Valley. Between 1 and 2
inches of rain have fallen. Additional rainfall amounts of 0.5 to
1.5 inches are possible in the warned area. Flash flooding is
already occurring.
HAZARD...Flash flooding caused by thunderstorms.
SOURCE...Emergency management reported.
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...
Hennepin, Spring Valley, DePue, Ladd, Dalzell, Bureau Junction,
Putnam, Seatonville, Hollowayville, Coal Hollow, Lake Thunderbird,
Ottville and Lone Tree Corners.
This includes the following State Parks...
Donnelley DePue State Fish and Wildlife Area.
This includes the following highways...
Interstate 180 between mile markers 1 and 11.
Interstate 80 in Illinois between mile markers 66 and 72.
PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...
Turn around, don't drown when encountering flooded roads. Most flood
deaths occur in vehicles.
Be aware of your surroundings and do not drive on flooded roads.
In hilly terrain there are low water crossings which are potentially
dangerous in heavy rain. Do not attempt to cross flooded roads. Find
an alternate route.
&&
LAT...LON 4137 8938 4143 8917 4138 8916 4136 8916
4135 8916 4132 8916 4131 8916 4130 8916
4128 8930 4115 8943 4115 8947 4115 8952
4115 8960 4115 8962
FLASH FLOOD...OBSERVED
$$
082 follow-up statements
814
WGUS73 KDVN 042201
FFSDVN
Flash Flood Statement
National Weather Service Quad Cities IA IL
501 PM CDT Sat Jul 4 2026
ILC011-155-050100-
/O.CON.KDVN.FF.W.0029.000000T0000Z-260705T0100Z/
/00000.0.ER.000000T0000Z.000000T0000Z.000000T0000Z.OO/
Bureau IL-Putnam IL-
501 PM CDT Sat Jul 4 2026
...FLASH FLOOD WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 8 PM CDT THIS EVENING
FOR SOUTHEASTERN BUREAU AND NORTHERN PUTNAM COUNTIES...
At 501 PM CDT, emergency management had reported gradually receding
water in Spring Valley and near DePue. Between 1.5 and 3 inches of
rain had fallen earlier this afternoon resulting in flash flooding.
HAZARD...Flash flooding caused by thunderstorms.
SOURCE...Emergency management reported.
IMPACT...Flash flooding of small creeks and streams, urban areas,
highways, streets and underpasses as well as other poor
drainage and low-lying areas.
Some locations that may be experiencing flash flooding include...
Hennepin, Spring Valley, DePue, Ladd, Dalzell, Bureau Junction,
Putnam, Seatonville, Hollowayville, Coal Hollow, Lake Thunderbird,
Ottville and Lone Tree Corners.
This includes the following State Parks...
Donnelley DePue State Fish and Wildlife Area.
This includes the following highways...
Interstate 180 between mile markers 1 and 11.
Interstate 80 in Illinois between mile markers 66 and 72.
PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...
Turn around, don't drown when encountering flooded roads. Most flood
deaths occur in vehicles.
Be aware of your surroundings and do not drive on flooded roads.
In hilly terrain there are low water crossings which are potentially
dangerous in heavy rain. Do not attempt to cross flooded roads. Find
an alternate route.
&&
LAT...LON 4137 8938 4143 8917 4141 8917 4140 8917
4138 8916 4136 8916 4135 8916 4132 8916
4131 8916 4130 8916 4128 8930 4115 8943
4115 8962
FLASH FLOOD...OBSERVED
$$
Friedlein949
WGUS73 KDVN 050036
FFSDVN
Flash Flood Statement
National Weather Service Quad Cities IA IL
736 PM CDT Sat Jul 4 2026
ILC011-155-050046-
/O.CAN.KDVN.FF.W.0029.000000T0000Z-260705T0100Z/
/00000.0.ER.000000T0000Z.000000T0000Z.000000T0000Z.OO/
Bureau IL-Putnam IL-
736 PM CDT Sat Jul 4 2026
...FLASH FLOOD WARNING IS CANCELLED FOR SOUTHEASTERN BUREAU AND
NORTHERN PUTNAM COUNTIES...
Flood waters have receded. Flooding is no longer expected to pose a
threat. Please continue to heed remaining road closures.
A Flood Watch remains in effect until 1000 PM CDT for portions of
Illinois and Iowa.
&&
LAT...LON 4137 8938 4143 8917 4141 8917 4140 8917
4138 8916 4136 8916 4135 8916 4132 8916
4131 8916 4130 8916 4128 8930 4115 8943
4115 8962
$$
GrossWhat 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 Jul 4, 2:28 PM CDT, 30 minutes earlier. Its key messages:
- Isolated to scattered storms can be expected through Sunday. Heavy rain, lightning and gusty winds are the primary risks.
- Humid conditions will continue through much of the coming week. There will be dry periods the first half of next week with mainly isolated to scattered (20-50%) coverage of storms the second half of next week.
- Rises are occurring on area rivers. Refer to the hydro section for more information.
Area forecast discussion, Jul 4, 2:28 PM CDT, 30 minutes before
Area Forecast Discussion
National Weather Service Quad Cities IA IL
228 PM CDT Sat Jul 4 2026
.KEY MESSAGES...
- Isolated to scattered storms can be expected through Sunday.
Heavy rain, lightning and gusty winds are the primary risks.
- Humid conditions will continue through much of the coming
week. There will be dry periods the first half of next week
with mainly isolated to scattered (20-50%) coverage of storms
the second half of next week.
- Rises are occurring on area rivers. Refer to the hydro section
for more information.
&&
.SHORT TERM /THROUGH SUNDAY/...
Issued at 220 PM CDT Sat Jul 4 2026
A convectively induced upper level disturbance has developed new
convection mainly east of the Mississippi. This convection will grow
upscale as it moves further east through the afternoon and evening.
Some of the stronger storms will be capable of damaging winds and
possibly hail.
West of the Mississippi downward motion has temporarily suppressed
any diurnal convection but as daytime heating continues, diurnal
convection with a 10-25% coverage will develop through sunset.
The atmosphere has slightly less than 2 inches of water in it but
any storm that develops will be capable of producing heavy rainfall
and high rainfall rates.
With the risk of heavy rain and that various areas have seen heavy
rainfall over the past 48 hours, the flood watch was extended into
the evening hours and also expanded into the I-88 and I-80 corridors
of Illinois.
Once sunset occurs, most convection will dissipate. However, the
models continue to show negative theta e lapse rates through the
night. Thus isolated showers or even a thunderstorm are possible
through sunrise Sunday.
On Sunday isolated showers and some thunderstorms will be possible
through the day as theta e lapse rates remain negative. The key
message is that while there is a risk of storms, there will be many
hours of dry weather. Additionally, progged profiles indicate the
overall atmospheric moisture levels will continue to trend downward
thus lowering the overall risk of locally heavy rainfall.
&&
.LONG TERM /SUNDAY NIGHT THROUGH FRIDAY/...
Issued at 220 PM CDT Sat Jul 4 2026
Sunday night through Wednesday
Assessment..high (>80%) confidence of humid conditions continuing
The models show northwest flow developing across the CONUS which
will bring temperatures down to near normal for the first half of
July. The humid conditions will continue but not to the excessive
conditions of last week.
There will be weak disturbances moving through the flow aloft
through Wednesday. While the model consensus has dry conditions, a
rogue diurnal shower or storm during peak heating each day cannot be
ruled out.
Wednesday night through Saturday
Assessment...high (>80%) confidence of continued humid conditions.
Low (15-25%) confidence regarding rain chances.
The humid conditions will continue the second half of the week with
a potential uptick in the humidity Wednesday night into Thursday.
The various model solutions have a system passing to the north of
the area that will push a cool front through the area. While there
are some timing differences, late Wednesday night into Thursday
evening looks to be the most likely time any rain would be seen.
Not all areas will see rain but overall coverage on the rain looks
to be 30-50 percent.
Beyond Thursday evening, the model consensus has a daily risk of
rain driven by the diurnal cycle. However, overall coverage will be
low at 15-25 percent.
&&
.AVIATION /18Z TAFS THROUGH 18Z SUNDAY/...
Issued at 1224 PM CDT Sat Jul 4 2026
Convectively induced vort max will initiate SHRA/TSRA along and
east of the Mississippi this afternoon/evening. Overall
environment suggests a low probability of a TAF site being
impacted. However, a prob30 was included for all TAF sites this
afternoon and into the evening. CAMs are struggling to handle
the weak forcing but appear to be keying in on areas east of the
Mississippi as the primary focus for storms. After 03z/05
isolated SHRA/TSRA will be possible through the night and into
Sunday morning.
&&
.HYDROLOGY...
Issued at 220 PM CDT Sat Jul 4 2026
Rounds of heavy rainfall the past 60 hours and additional heavy
rain across Minnesota and Wisconsin are causing area rivers to
rise over the next two weeks. Most rivers will experience
within bank rises. However, parts of some rivers are forecast to
go into flood.
The Wapsipinicon River from Anamosa down to the mouth is
forecast to go into flood. Minor flooding is expected near
Anamosa with moderate to potentially major flooding near De
Witt.
The Iowa River at Marengo is expected to go into minor flood. A
flood watch is in effect for the Cedar River near Conesville
which may go into flood next week.
&&
.DVN WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES...
IA...Flood Watch until 10 PM CDT this evening for IAZ040>042-
051>054-063>068-076>078-087>089.
IL...Flood Watch until 10 PM CDT this evening for ILZ009-015>018-
024.
MO...None.
&&
SHORT TERM...08
LONG TERM...08
AVIATION...08
HYDROLOGY...08Hazardous weather outlook, Jul 4, 3:08 AM CDT, 11 hours 50 minutes before
Hazardous Weather Outlook National Weather Service Quad Cities IA IL 308 AM CDT Sat Jul 4 2026 IAZ040>042-051>054-063>068-076>078-087>089-098-099-ILZ001-002-007- 009-015>018-024>026-034-035-MOZ009-010-050815- 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- 308 AM CDT Sat Jul 4 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 Scattered thunderstorms will be possible today. Heavy rain and gusty winds up to 50 mph will be the primary threats. Repeating rounds of slow moving storms will bring an elevated risk for flash flooding. .DAYS TWO THROUGH SEVEN...SUNDAY THROUGH FRIDAY Scattered thunderstorms will be possible Sunday. Heavy rain and gusty winds will be the primary threats. The repeated rounds of heavy rain will produce rises on some area creeks and tributary rivers, with a few reaching bankfull or even flood stage through early next week. .SPOTTER INFORMATION STATEMENT... Spotter activation may be needed today. GROSS
In the hours before
Local storm report, Jul 4, 9:47 AM CDT, 5 hours 11 minutes before
Preliminary Local Storm Report
National Weather Service Quad Cities IA IL
947 AM CDT Sat Jul 4 2026
..TIME... ...EVENT... ...CITY LOCATION... ...LAT.LON...
..DATE... ....MAG.... ..COUNTY LOCATION..ST.. ...SOURCE....
..REMARKS..
0900 AM Rain 2 SW Williamstown 41.54N 91.75W
07/04/2026 M1.15 Inch Johnson IA Trained Spotter
24 hr rain total.
&&Local storm report, Jul 4, 11:11 AM CDT, 3 hours 47 minutes before
Preliminary Local Storm Report
National Weather Service Quad Cities IA IL
1111 AM CDT Sat Jul 4 2026
..TIME... ...EVENT... ...CITY LOCATION... ...LAT.LON...
..DATE... ....MAG.... ..COUNTY LOCATION..ST.. ...SOURCE....
..REMARKS..
0951 AM Rain 2 W Fulton 41.86N 90.19W
07/04/2026 M1.63 Inch Clinton IA Trained Spotter
Storm total accumulation from last night.
&&
CMDLocal storm report, Jul 4, 11:13 AM CDT, 3 hours 45 minutes before
Preliminary Local Storm Report
National Weather Service Quad Cities IA IL
1113 AM CDT Sat Jul 4 2026
..TIME... ...EVENT... ...CITY LOCATION... ...LAT.LON...
..DATE... ....MAG.... ..COUNTY LOCATION..ST.. ...SOURCE....
..REMARKS..
0927 AM Rain 2 W Freeport 42.30N 89.66W
07/04/2026 M1.40 Inch Stephenson IL Trained Spotter
24-hour storm accumulation.
&&
CMDLocal storm report, Jul 4, 11:24 AM CDT, 3 hours 34 minutes before
Preliminary Local Storm Report
National Weather Service Quad Cities IA IL
1124 AM CDT Sat Jul 4 2026
..TIME... ...EVENT... ...CITY LOCATION... ...LAT.LON...
..DATE... ....MAG.... ..COUNTY LOCATION..ST.. ...SOURCE....
..REMARKS..
1123 AM Rain 1 ENE Green River 41.47N 90.32W
07/04/2026 M1.60 Inch Henry IL Trained Spotter
24-hour storm accumulation.
&&
CMDSpecial weather statement, Jul 4, 2:00 PM CDT, 58 minutes before
Special Weather Statement
National Weather Service Quad Cities IA/IL
200 PM CDT Sat Jul 4 2026
ILZ017-018-041945-
Bureau IL-Putnam IL-
200 PM CDT Sat Jul 4 2026
...Strong thunderstorms will impact portions of eastern Bureau and
Putnam Counties through 245 PM CDT...
At 159 PM CDT, Doppler radar was tracking strong thunderstorms along
a line extending from near Mendota to near Putnam. Movement was
east northeast at 25 mph.
HAZARD...Wind gusts up to 50 mph and minor flooding.
SOURCE...Radar indicated.
IMPACT...Strong winds could break small tree limbs and blow around
unsecured objects. Slowing or redirecting of traffic due to
ponding or flowing water. Closure of waterfront access due
to flooding.
Locations impacted include...
Hennepin, Spring Valley, DePue, Granville, Ladd, Dalzell, Bureau
Junction, McNabb, Putnam, Mark, Cherry, Seatonville, Magnolia,
Standard, Arlington, Hollowayville, Ottville, Lake Thunderbird,
Florid, and Lone Tree Corners.
This includes the following highways...
Interstate 80 in Illinois between mile markers 65 and 72.
Interstate 180.
PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...
If outdoors, consider seeking shelter inside a building.
Torrential rainfall is occurring 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 4110 8936 4112 8934 4115 8933 4115 8952
4139 8933 4159 8921 4159 8917 4111 8916
TIME...MOT...LOC 1859Z 242DEG 21KT 4161 8912 4108 8952
MAX HAIL SIZE...<0.75 IN
MAX WIND GUST...50 MPH
FriedleinLocal storm report, Jul 4, 2:45 PM CDT, 13 minutes before
Preliminary Local Storm Report
National Weather Service Quad Cities IA IL
245 PM CDT Sat Jul 4 2026
..TIME... ...EVENT... ...CITY LOCATION... ...LAT.LON...
..DATE... ....MAG.... ..COUNTY LOCATION..ST.. ...SOURCE....
..REMARKS..
0244 PM Rain 1 N Van Orin 41.57N 89.35W
07/04/2026 M4.80 Inch Bureau IL Trained Spotter
24 hour total.
&&
ALEThe office that day
Everything else NWS Quad Cities, IA issued on the same UTC day.
| Issued | Product | Office | Counties | Lasted |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jul 3, 7:04 PM CDT | Severe Thunderstorm Warning | DVN | Carroll, Jo Daviess, Stephenson | 56 min |
| Jul 3, 7:23 PM CDT | Severe Thunderstorm Warning | DVN | Carroll, Whiteside | 39 min |
| Jul 3, 7:32 PM CDT | Severe Thunderstorm Warning | DVN | Rock Island | 58 min |
| Jul 3, 7:50 PM CDT | Flash Flood Warning | DVN | Rock Island | 3 hr |
| Jul 3, 8:14 PM CDT | Special Weather Statement | DVN | Whiteside | 46 min |
| Jul 3, 8:55 PM CDT | Special Weather Statement | DVN | Bureau, Putnam | 65 min |
| Jul 3, 9:31 PM CDT | Severe Thunderstorm Warning | DVN | Henderson | 59 min |
| Jul 4, 5:07 AM CDT | Special Weather Statement | DVN | Bureau, Putnam | 38 min |
| Jul 4, 2:00 PM CDT | Special Weather Statement | DVN | Putnam | 45 min |
Nearby
Flash 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; local storm reports from the same archive; the sounding from the Mesonet's radiosonde archive; radar from the NEXRAD Level II archive.