Alert archive / Illinois / Flash Flood Warnings in 2026

Flash Flood Warning 33, NWS Quad Cities, IA

August 12, 2026Rock Island County, Illinois; Scott County, Iowa

NWS Quad Cities, IA issued this flash flood warning at Aug 12, 2026, 7:18 AM CDT for Rock Island County, Illinois; Scott County, Iowa. It was in force for 94 min. No storm report in the archive falls inside the area while it was in force.

The area

The outline as issued.

The facts

Issued
Aug 12, 2026, 7:18 AM CDT (12:18 UTC)
Expired
Aug 12, 2026, 8:52 AM CDT
In force
94 min
Issued by
NWS Quad Cities, IA
Area
Storm-based polygon
Flood severity
None

Counties Scott County, IA, Rock Island County, IL

The radar

The Quad Cities radar (KDVN), 18 km from the middle of the area, began a volume at 12:20 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

Davenport, (KDVN), launched 12:00Z, 0.3 hours before the alert went out and 15 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.

Skew-T log-pSkew-T log-p diagram, Davenport, at 12:00Z on 2026-08-12Temperature and dew point through the depth of the atmosphere, with the mixed-layer parcel. CAPE 4572 joules per kilogram.LCLLFCEL10008507005003002001001 km2 km3 km6 km9 km12 km15 km-30°-20°-10°0°10°20°30°40°
Temperature in red, dew point in green, the mixed-layer parcel dashed.
HodographHodograph, Davenport, at 12:00Z on 2026-08-12The wind through the lowest 10 kilometers. Zero to 1 km storm-relative helicity -14 square meters per square second.1939587897117Sfc1 km3 km6 km9 kmRMLM
The wind turning with height, colored by layer: ground to 1 km, 1 to 3 km, 3 to 6 km, 6 to 10 km.
Mixed-layer CAPE
4572 J/kg
Mixed-layer CIN
-27 J/kg
Mixed-layer LCL
679 m above ground
0-6 km bulk shear
30 kt
0-1 km storm-relative helicity
-14 m²/s²
0-3 km storm-relative helicity
37 m²/s²
Significant tornado parameter
0.5
Supercell composite
3.4

Open this sounding in Storm Lab

The text

As transmitted.

952 
WGUS53 KDVN 121218
FFWDVN
IAC163-ILC161-121515-
/O.NEW.KDVN.FF.W.0033.260812T1218Z-260812T1515Z/
/00000.0.ER.000000T0000Z.000000T0000Z.000000T0000Z.OO/

BULLETIN - EAS ACTIVATION REQUESTED
Flash Flood Warning
National Weather Service Quad Cities IA IL
718 AM CDT Wed Aug 12 2026

The National Weather Service in Quad Cities has issued a

* Flash Flood Warning for...
  Scott County in east central Iowa...
  Central Rock Island County in northwestern Illinois...

* Until 1015 AM CDT.

* At 718 AM CDT, Doppler radar indicated thunderstorms producing
  heavy rain across the warned area. While the rain will not last
  long, the impressive rates will likely cause flooding. Flash
  flooding is ongoing or expected to begin shortly.

  HAZARD...Flash flooding caused by thunderstorms.

  SOURCE...Radar indicated.

  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...
  Davenport, Moline, Rock Island, Bettendorf, East Moline, Silvis,
  Eldridge, Milan, Le Claire, Coal Valley, Hampton, Port Byron,
  Buffalo, Rapids City, Riverdale, Carbon Cliff, Panorama Park, Rock
  Island Arsenal, Fruitland and Davenport Municipal Airport.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

Turn around, don't drown when encountering flooded roads. Most flood
deaths occur in vehicles.

&&

LAT...LON 4145 9071 4164 9072 4165 9032 4151 9032
      4151 9033 4151 9034 4151 9036 4150 9036
      4150 9037 4148 9037 4148 9038 4148 9039
      4146 9040 4146 9042 4146 9043 4144 9043

FLASH FLOOD...RADAR INDICATED

$$
1 follow-up statement
042 
WGUS73 KDVN 121352
FFSDVN

Flash Flood Statement
National Weather Service Quad Cities IA IL
852 AM CDT Wed Aug 12 2026

IAC163-ILC161-121402-
/O.CAN.KDVN.FF.W.0033.000000T0000Z-260812T1515Z/
/00000.0.ER.000000T0000Z.000000T0000Z.000000T0000Z.OO/
Scott IA-Rock Island IL-
852 AM CDT Wed Aug 12 2026

...FLASH FLOOD WARNING IS CANCELLED FOR CENTRAL SCOTT AND EAST
CENTRAL ROCK ISLAND COUNTIES...

Flood waters have receded according to law enforcement. Flooding is
no longer expected to pose a threat. Please continue to heed
remaining road closures.

&&

LAT...LON 4164 9072 4165 9032 4151 9032 4151 9033
      4151 9035 4151 9036 4150 9037 4149 9037
      4148 9038 4148 9039 4147 9039 4146 9042
      4146 9043 4144 9043 4145 9071

$$

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 Aug 12, 6:33 AM CDT, 45 minutes earlier. Its key messages:

  • There is a Slight (level 2 out of 5) risk for severe storms this morning and early afternoon. Damaging wind up to the 70 mph and heavy rain will be the primary threats. Some embedded tornadoes will also be possible.
  • There is a Marginal (level 1 out of 5) risk for severe storms Thursday afternoon and evening. Damaging wind and heavy rain will be the primary threats. Some localized flash flooding is also possible for areas that see repeating storms.
  • There will be a near daily risk of shower/storms through the remainder of the week and into the weekend, However, there will also be many hours of dry weather.
Area forecast discussion, Aug 12, 6:33 AM CDT, 45 minutes before
Area Forecast Discussion
National Weather Service Quad Cities IA IL
633 AM CDT Wed Aug 12 2026

.KEY MESSAGES...

- There is a Slight (level 2 out of 5) risk for severe storms
  this morning and early afternoon. Damaging wind up to the 70
  mph and heavy rain will be the primary threats. Some embedded
  tornadoes will also be possible.

- There is a Marginal (level 1 out of 5) risk for severe storms
  Thursday afternoon and evening. Damaging wind and heavy rain
  will be the primary threats. Some localized flash flooding is
  also possible for areas that see repeating storms.

- There will be a near daily risk of shower/storms through the
  remainder of the week and into the weekend, However, there
  will also be many hours of dry weather.

&&

.SHORT TERM /THROUGH TONIGHT/...
Issued at 250 AM CDT Wed Aug 12 2026

Another repeat of yesterday? Same llvl thermal and moisture gradient
alignment from the northern/central plains over to Indiana, with the
local area stuck in the middle. Water vapor imagery showing a
seasonably robust short wave probably convectively enhanced, acrs
central SD and an associated strong cluster of storms pushing
southeast into far north central NE ATTM. This may be the "player"
as it continues to evolve and develop a cold pool for propagation
mechanics acrs IA and through the local area this morning. Current
trends would have it dive further southeast than what most CAMs
suggest it will and then hammer the far southern CWA and MO. But
these areas are covered by a strong EML, and more prime LLJ feed and
ongoing MCS maintenance parameters align right along I-80 into
northern IL. Thus would expect more north/northeastward flank
development of the current storm cluster as it comes acrs and much
of the DVN CWA except maybe the far north will be at risk of the
wrath of another severe QLCS with damaging winds and embedded
tornadoes this morning.

If the current 3500 J/kg MLCAPE pool can hang on during storm
arrival, there appears to be enough kinematics again to fuel wind
gusts of 70 to 85 MPH with a bow utilizing cold pool mechanics and
mix down. The ongoing quasi-stationary LLVL boundary undulating acrs
NE over to northern IL will also be a focus. The storms will also be
producing rainfall at rates of 1-2 inches an hour, but hopefully the
progressive nature will limit flash flooding potential unless some
re-generation of a few storms on the wake outflow left behind
lingers longer into early afternoon on areas hit hard earlier.

High temperatures may vary quite a bit with convective debris and
outflow boundaries all over the place. But with storm system exit
and most the afternoon to recover, looks like another sultry day
with high humidity. Went ahead and issued another Heat Advisory for
the southern third of the fcst area which is expected remain south
of the main boundary and in the land of sfc DPTs in the upper 70s to
around 80. Some chance that a further south MCS track and lingering
wake clouds/perculating precip may ruin the ambient temp heat up
potential even in the south.

Tonight...Signs of another bout of short wave upper ridging and LLJ
re-focus back off to the west may make the later afternoon and most
of the night precip free again...with the ongoing chance for a rogue
elevated shower or storm with nocturnal LLJ WAA processes. This as
yet another short wave or MCV lurks upstream off to the west to ruin
the day Thursday. Like having to watch for this early Wednesday
morning, there may be some fog development in spots Thu morning
especially along and north of the quasi-stationary boundary. NBM low
temps ranging from the upper 60s to low 70s look on target.

&&

.LONG TERM /THURSDAY THROUGH TUESDAY/...
Issued at 250 AM CDT Wed Aug 12 2026

Thursday...This could be a day were the rounds of heavy rainfall add
up and the flooding potential increases especially by late Thu
night. After we may have yet another strong to severe MCS or storm
cluster move acrs the area during the day, there are synoptic scale
signals that the LLVL west-to-east boundary gets enhanced and is a
focus point of LLJ convergence and moisture feed, fueling more
thunderstorms possibly in a back-building scenario as Thu night
progresses. Where this west-to-east line of convection lays out
still uncertain of course at this juncture of the game but CAM
ensembles are hinting along to a county or two north of the I-80
corridor. Depending on what occurs rainfall-wise leading up to this
scenario, could see the eventual need for a flood watch for Thu or
Thu night.

Friday through Tuesday...Latest ensemble and upper jet trends
suggest the upper ridge and heat dome to get presses eastward again
with some amplitude thrust up the mid to upper MS RVR Valley with
west coast L/W troffiness establishment. This could make for another
heat and storm track battle zone on Friday for the region, until the
track then gets shunted more to the north acrs MN and WI while we
heat up again. Still on the southern fringe, couldn't rule out MCS
seepage down this far south into the local at times over the weekend
as well. The action may last into early next week with longer range
signs of upper ridge dampening and flattening to get us back under
the influence of ring of fire periphery.

&&

.AVIATION /12Z TAFS THROUGH 12Z THURSDAY/...
Issued at 633 AM CDT Wed Aug 12 2026

Another round of showers and thunderstorms is moving through the
area this morning, bringing a mixture of IFR/MVFR conditions in
-TSRA. Storms may brush just south of KDBQ, but LIFR ceilings
 along with MVFR visibilities are likely to linger for several
 more hours. This is just the first wave of two rounds of
 showers and storms this morning, with another wave just a few
 hours behind the first. This round is affecting KCID/KMLI/KDBQ
 the most, with KCID/KMLI/KBRL more likely to be affected by
 the second round. Thunderstorm activity should move out of all
 terminals by 19z today, with conditions returning to VFR. Fog
 may develop late tonight bringing MVFR visibilities. There may
 be another round of showers and storms after 09z tonight, and
 have included PROB30 groups for now.

&&

.DVN WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES...
IA...Heat Advisory from noon today to 8 PM CDT this evening for
     IAZ087>089-098-099.
IL...Heat Advisory from noon today to 8 PM CDT this evening for
     ILZ025-026-034-035.
MO...Heat Advisory from noon today to 8 PM CDT this evening for
     MOZ009-010.

&&

SHORT TERM...12
LONG TERM...12
AVIATION...LE
Hazardous weather outlook, Aug 12, 4:25 AM CDT, 2 hours 53 minutes before
Hazardous Weather Outlook
National Weather Service Quad Cities IA IL
425 AM CDT Wed Aug 12 2026

IAZ040>042-051>054-063>068-076>078-087>089-098-099-ILZ001-002-007-
009-015>018-024>026-034-035-MOZ009-010-131100-
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-
425 AM CDT Wed Aug 12 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

A strong to severe storm system will move in from the west and
impact much of the Outlook Area this morning. Damaging winds,
potentially up to 70 mph, will be the primary risk. Brief spin-
up tornadoes will be a secondary risk. Much of the area is in a
Slight, level 2 out of 5, Risk for severe storms today. Locally
heavy rainfall and flooding will also be a concern

A Heat Advisory is in effect this afternoon and evening for areas
generally along and south of an Ottumwa, Iowa to Galesburg,
Illinois line. Heat Index readings will range from 100 to 105
degrees in these areas.

.DAYS TWO THROUGH SEVEN...THURSDAY THROUGH TUESDAY

Rounds of strong to severe storms will again be possible Thursday
and Friday as the area continues to lay under an active storm
track. There is a Marginal, level 1 out of 5, Risk for severe
weather for the portions of the Outlook Area both days. Locally
heavy rain and flooding will also be a concern, especially
Thursday night when there will be the potentially for
thunderstorms moving repeatedly over the same areas.

There will continue to be an almost daily chance for thunderstorms
through the upcoming weekend.

.SPOTTER INFORMATION STATEMENT...

Spotter activation is likely today.

12

In the hours before

Local storm report, Aug 12, 5:38 AM CDT, 1 hour 40 minutes before
Preliminary Local Storm Report
National Weather Service Quad Cities IA IL
538 AM CDT Wed Aug 12 2026

..TIME...   ...EVENT...      ...CITY LOCATION...     ...LAT.LON...
..DATE...   ....MAG....      ..COUNTY LOCATION..ST.. ...SOURCE....
            ..REMARKS..

0530 AM     Hail             2 NW East Amana         41.83N 91.87W
08/12/2026  M0.50 Inch       Iowa               IA   Public

&&

12
Local storm report, Aug 12, 6:28 AM CDT, 50 minutes before
Preliminary Local Storm Report
National Weather Service Quad Cities IA IL
628 AM CDT Wed Aug 12 2026

..TIME...   ...EVENT...      ...CITY LOCATION...     ...LAT.LON...
..DATE...   ....MAG....      ..COUNTY LOCATION..ST.. ...SOURCE....
            ..REMARKS..

0613 AM     Tstm Wnd Gst     1 NW Atalissa           41.58N 91.18W
08/12/2026  M58 MPH          Muscatine          IA   Mesonet

&&
Local storm report, Aug 12, 7:06 AM CDT, 12 minutes before
Preliminary Local Storm Report
National Weather Service Quad Cities IA IL
706 AM CDT Wed Aug 12 2026

..TIME...   ...EVENT...      ...CITY LOCATION...     ...LAT.LON...
..DATE...   ....MAG....      ..COUNTY LOCATION..ST.. ...SOURCE....
            ..REMARKS..

0704 AM     Tstm Wnd Gst     Davenport Municipality  41.62N 90.58W
08/12/2026  M59 MPH          Scott              IA   ASOS

            ASOS.

&&
Local storm report, Aug 12, 7:12 AM CDT, 6 minutes before
Preliminary Local Storm Report
National Weather Service Quad Cities IA IL
712 AM CDT Wed Aug 12 2026

..TIME...   ...EVENT...      ...CITY LOCATION...     ...LAT.LON...
..DATE...   ....MAG....      ..COUNTY LOCATION..ST.. ...SOURCE....
            ..REMARKS..

0709 AM     Tstm Wnd Dmg     2 N Davenport           41.58N 90.61W
08/12/2026                   Scott              IA   Trained Spotter

            1-2 inch branches down, very heavy rain and
            heavy winds.

&&
Local storm report, Aug 12, 7:13 AM CDT, 5 minutes before
Preliminary Local Storm Report
National Weather Service Quad Cities IA IL
713 AM CDT Wed Aug 12 2026

..TIME...   ...EVENT...      ...CITY LOCATION...     ...LAT.LON...
..DATE...   ....MAG....      ..COUNTY LOCATION..ST.. ...SOURCE....
            ..REMARKS..

0712 AM     Tstm Wnd Dmg     2 NNE Rock Island       41.50N 90.57W
08/12/2026                   Rock Island        IL   Trained Spotter

            6 inch branches down. Water over roads.

&&
Local storm report, Aug 12, 7:17 AM CDT, 1 minute before
Preliminary Local Storm Report
National Weather Service Quad Cities IA IL
717 AM CDT Wed Aug 12 2026

..TIME...   ...EVENT...      ...CITY LOCATION...     ...LAT.LON...
..DATE...   ....MAG....      ..COUNTY LOCATION..ST.. ...SOURCE....
            ..REMARKS..

0716 AM     Rain             Belle Plaine            41.90N 92.27W
08/12/2026  M2.50 Inch       Benton             IA   Public

            So far.

&&

The office that day

Everything else NWS Quad Cities, IA issued on the same UTC day.

IssuedProductOfficeCountiesLasted
Aug 12, 1:18 AM CDTHeat AdvisoryDVNHancock, Henderson, McDonough, Warren12 hr
Aug 12, 6:09 AM CDTSevere Thunderstorm WarningDVNRock Island66 min
Aug 12, 6:53 AM CDTSevere Thunderstorm WarningDVNHenry, Rock Island67 min
Aug 12, 7:22 AM CDTSevere Thunderstorm WarningDVNBureau, Henry, Whiteside53 min
Aug 12, 7:27 AM CDTSevere Thunderstorm WarningDVNHenderson63 min
Aug 12, 7:49 AM CDTSevere Thunderstorm WarningDVNHenry, Mercer41 min
Aug 12, 7:54 AM CDTSevere Thunderstorm WarningDVNHancock36 min
Aug 12, 8:11 AM CDTSevere Thunderstorm WarningDVNBureau, Putnam, Whiteside49 min
Aug 12, 8:15 AM CDTTornado WarningDVNBureau28 min
Aug 12, 8:20 AM CDTSevere Thunderstorm WarningDVNHancock, Henderson, McDonough, Warren55 min
Aug 12, 10:57 AM CDTSpecial Weather StatementDVNMercer33 min
Aug 12, 11:24 AM CDTSpecial Weather StatementDVNMercer36 min
Aug 12, 11:37 AM CDTSpecial Weather StatementDVNWarren23 min
Aug 12, 4:32 AM CDTSpecial Weather StatementDVNIowa43 min
Aug 12, 4:37 AM CDTSevere Thunderstorm WarningDVNBenton, Iowa, Johnson, Linn53 min
Aug 12, 5:25 AM CDTSevere Thunderstorm WarningDVNBenton, Cedar, Iowa, Johnson, Linn65 min
Aug 12, 6:19 AM CDTFlash Flood WarningDVNBenton, Iowa, Johnson, Linn3 hr
Aug 12, 6:19 AM CDTSevere Thunderstorm WarningDVNCedar, Scott3 min
Aug 12, 6:39 AM CDTSevere Thunderstorm WarningDVNBenton, Iowa31 min
Aug 12, 8:12 AM CDTSevere Thunderstorm WarningDVNVan Buren63 min

Nearby

Flash Flood Warnings in Illinois, 2026Flash Flood Warnings in Iowa, 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.