Alert archive / Illinois / Flash Flood Warnings in 2026
Flash Flood Warning 9, NWS Quad Cities, IA
NWS Quad Cities, IA issued this flash flood warning at Apr 15, 2026, 7:14 PM CDT for Jo Daviess County, Stephenson County, Illinois. It was in force for 3 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
- Apr 15, 2026, 7:14 PM CDT (00:14 UTC)
- Expired
- Apr 15, 2026, 10:31 PM CDT
- In force
- 3 hr
- Issued by
- NWS Quad Cities, IA
- Area
- Storm-based polygon
- Flood severity
- None
Counties Jo Daviess County, IL, Stephenson County, IL
The radar
The Quad Cities radar (KDVN), 98 km from the middle of the area, began a volume at 00:16 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 00:00Z, 0.2 hours before the alert went out and 93 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
- 1272 J/kg
- Mixed-layer CIN
- -5 J/kg
- Mixed-layer LCL
- 1003 m above ground
- 0-6 km bulk shear
- 64 kt
- 0-1 km storm-relative helicity
- 167 m²/s²
- 0-3 km storm-relative helicity
- 209 m²/s²
- Significant tornado parameter
- 1.7
- Supercell composite
- 10.4
The text
As transmitted.
693
WGUS53 KDVN 160014
FFWDVN
ILC085-177-160615-
/O.NEW.KDVN.FF.W.0009.260416T0014Z-260416T0615Z/
/00000.0.ER.000000T0000Z.000000T0000Z.000000T0000Z.OO/
BULLETIN - EAS ACTIVATION REQUESTED
Flash Flood Warning
National Weather Service Quad Cities IA IL
714 PM CDT Wed Apr 15 2026
The National Weather Service in Quad Cities has issued a
* Flash Flood Warning for...
Jo Daviess County in northwestern Illinois...
Stephenson County in northwestern Illinois...
* Until 115 AM CDT Thursday.
* At 714 PM CDT, Doppler radar indicated thunderstorms producing
heavy rain will move across the warned area. Rainfall amounts of 1
to 2 inches are possible. Flash flooding is 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...
Freeport, Lena, Stockton, Warren, Hanover, Pearl City, Elizabeth,
Cedarville, Davis, Woodbine, Dakota, German Valley, Apple River,
Winslow, Rock City, Ridott, Nora, Massbach, Schapville and Buena
Vista.
PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...
Turn around, don't drown when encountering flooded roads. Most flood
deaths occur in vehicles.
&&
LAT...LON 4250 8940 4220 8940 4219 9032 4221 9036
4228 9043 4251 9015
FLASH FLOOD...RADAR INDICATED
$$
Cousins2 follow-up statements
255
WGUS73 KDVN 160240
FFSDVN
Flash Flood Statement
National Weather Service Quad Cities IA IL
940 PM CDT Wed Apr 15 2026
ILC085-177-160615-
/O.CON.KDVN.FF.W.0009.000000T0000Z-260416T0615Z/
/00000.0.ER.000000T0000Z.000000T0000Z.000000T0000Z.OO/
Jo Daviess IL-Stephenson IL-
940 PM CDT Wed Apr 15 2026
...FLASH FLOOD WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 115 AM CDT THURSDAY
FOR JO DAVIESS AND STEPHENSON COUNTIES...
At 940 PM CDT, Doppler radar indicates that moderate to heavy rain
continues to fall across the area. Rainfall rates of 0.5 to 1.0
inches per hour continue across the warned area. Flash flooding is
ongoing or expected to begin shortly.
HAZARD...Flash flooding caused by thunderstorms.
SOURCE...Radar.
IMPACT...Flash flooding of small creeks and streams, urban areas,
highways, streets and underpasses as well as other poor
drainage and low-lying areas.
Some locations that will experience flash flooding include...
Freeport, Lena, Stockton, Warren, Hanover, Pearl City, Elizabeth,
Cedarville, Davis, Woodbine, Dakota, German Valley, Apple River,
Winslow, Rock City, Ridott, Nora, Massbach, Schapville and Buena
Vista.
PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...
Turn around, don't drown when encountering flooded roads. Most flood
deaths occur in vehicles.
&&
LAT...LON 4250 8940 4220 8940 4219 9032 4221 9036
4228 9043 4251 9015
FLASH FLOOD...RADAR INDICATED
$$
Cousins449
WGUS73 KDVN 160331
FFSDVN
Flash Flood Statement
National Weather Service Quad Cities IA IL
1031 PM CDT Wed Apr 15 2026
ILC085-177-160341-
/O.CAN.KDVN.FF.W.0009.000000T0000Z-260416T0615Z/
/00000.0.ER.000000T0000Z.000000T0000Z.000000T0000Z.OO/
Jo Daviess IL-Stephenson IL-
1031 PM CDT Wed Apr 15 2026
...FLASH FLOOD WARNING IS CANCELLED FOR JO DAVIESS AND STEPHENSON
COUNTIES...
The heavy rain has ended. Flooding is no longer expected to pose a
threat. Please continue to heed remaining road closures.
A Flood Watch remains in effect until 1200 AM CDT for portions of
northwest Illinois and Iowa.
&&
LAT...LON 4250 8940 4220 8940 4219 9032 4221 9036
4228 9043 4251 9015
$$
ErvinWhat 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 Apr 15, 6:42 PM CDT, 32 minutes earlier. Its key messages:
- Isolated-scattered showers/storms are expected through the afternoon, with a line of strong/severe storms set to come through this evening. Severe weather is possible, with a Slight Risk (level 2/5) for severe weather.
- A seasonally strong storm system will impact our area Friday afternoon and evening, where the SPC has highlighted much of our area in an Enhanced Risk (level 3/5) for severe weather.
- Much cooler airmass moves in this weekend behind a cold front, bringing unseasonally cool temperatures back to the area. Temperatures in the 30s through the nighttime hours will bring the potential for frost/freeze, especially in our north.
Area forecast discussion, Apr 15, 6:42 PM CDT, 32 minutes before
Area Forecast Discussion National Weather Service Quad Cities IA IL 642 PM CDT Wed Apr 15 2026 .KEY MESSAGES... - Isolated-scattered showers/storms are expected through the afternoon, with a line of strong/severe storms set to come through this evening. Severe weather is possible, with a Slight Risk (level 2/5) for severe weather. - A seasonally strong storm system will impact our area Friday afternoon and evening, where the SPC has highlighted much of our area in an Enhanced Risk (level 3/5) for severe weather. - Much cooler airmass moves in this weekend behind a cold front, bringing unseasonally cool temperatures back to the area. Temperatures in the 30s through the nighttime hours will bring the potential for frost/freeze, especially in our north. && .SHORT TERM /THROUGH THURSDAY NIGHT/... Issued at 126 PM CDT Wed Apr 15 2026 Seasonally strong shortwave trof currently located over central Nebraska will continue to track east through Iowa this afternoon/evening. A surface low pressure will pass southwest to northeast just northwest of our area, dragging a cold front through our area this evening/tonight. While we already have ongoing showers and storms, we are expecting another round of storms as the cold front moves through the area this evening/tonight. Ahead of that, we will have a stationary/warm front draped over the area, which will be another focus for convective initiation ahead of the main line of convection. This is currently located between the Highway 30 and Highway 34 corridors. Thus, a few rounds of storms are expected today, where flash flooding is possible. A Flood Watch remains for those areas at greatest risk, owing to heavy rainfall yesterday. The SPC has our whole area outlooked in a Slight Risk (level 2/5) for severe weather today, where our best chances for severe weather will be with the line of storms progged to come through with the cold front this evening. Isolated severe storms are possible ahead of this through the afternoon, but confidence is low on coverage and severity. Looking at model soundings, we can expect another day of mixed-mode convection. Early-Mid afternoon, we are likely to continue to see scattered showers and storms. Given a lot of cloud cover and higher coverage of showers/storms in our north, the severe threat should remain relatively low into mid-afternoon. Although, areas south of Interstate 80 will have seen more sun peeking through, which has allowed more instability to build. Thus, there will be a little more of a severe threat in our south, generally in the form of semi- discrete supercells. Confidence is low on this at this time, but will further get monitored for the potential through mesoscale analysis this afternoon. This convection will generally be seen between the hours of 12-4 PM. Going into late afternoon and evening, we will see a line (possibly disconnected line of supercells) moving into our area from west to east, with some leading semi-discrete cells as well. The leading cells could be supercellular, which are currently looking to develop between the Highway 30 and Highway 34 corridors. These supercells may form just ahead of the line, generally between 4-6 PM, and then get absorbed into the main line. As we get towards the evening hours, the aforementioned line (QLCS- like with embedded supercells) will move through the area from west to east. Timing-Wise, this is expected to move into our west around 5-7 PM, and move out of our area by midnight local time. The best severe threat will be in the late afternoon/evening hours, but gradually decreasing after sunset. Now a look into the environment in place. The AM convection and resultant cloud cover has delayed our surface heating a bit, but clearing skies have been seen. This may limit the overall instability, but will still be sufficient. We are still looking at the potential for CAPE around 2000-3000+, collocated with shear around 50-60+ KTs, with little/no cap seen in forecast soundings. Thus, we have the necessary CAPE/Shear balance to favor supercells today. Although, with strong forcing moving in this afternoon and evening, upscale growth is expected. As was mentioned, this could be in the form of a disconnected line with embedded supercells. Lapse rates are once again favorable for hail in the midlevels, collocated with a fat CAPE profile in the hail growth layer. SPC highlights parts of our area in the potential for significant hail (2"+), which is possible. Otherwise, all hazards are in play today, with the primary threat being winds and embedded tornadoes when the line of convection comes through this evening. We are especially focusing on counties along the Interstate 80 corridor, as this is generally where the stalled out boundary will be. This will serve as a focus point for severe weather (some significant severe weather possible), with the increased tornado threat. Tonight and through Thursday, weak ridging moves in, with a surface high pressure quickly passing through. Thus, after any residual showers move out Thursday AM, we should remain dry for the remainder of the day. Clouds will also decrease through the day, with light winds and temperatures increasing into the mid-upper 70s. Thus, we are in for a beautiful day. && .LONG TERM /FRIDAY THROUGH WEDNESDAY/... Issued at 126 PM CDT Wed Apr 15 2026 Friday will be another day of concern, as a potent shortwave tracks off of the Rockies and towards the Upper Midwest. This wave will develop a seasonally strong low pressure system, progged to drag a strong cold front through the area. Ahead of this, we will have an environment favorable for organized convection that can become strong to severe. Uncertainty remains with regards to timing, which can lead to impacts on the overall severe threat. Guidance has been hinting at this moving through Friday evening/night. Ahead of that, we will see a mix of clouds/sun, which will help build instability. According to model soundings, we may have CAPE values upwards to 2000-3000+, with shear around 35-45 KTs. The shear is a little lower than we have seen with the recent events, but sufficient for organized convection. Although, this would lead me to believe that we will largely be dealing with a line of strong/severe convection, but some initial isolated-scattered storms cannot be ruled out. More details are to come, as more short term hi-res CAMs start rolling in over the next 24-36 hours. The SPC has highlighted much of our area in an Enhanced Risk (level 3/5) for severe weather, with a Slight Risk (level 2/5) for areas east of the Mississippi River. Continue to monitor the forecast for future updates. This weekend, upper level flow becomes northwesterly behind the aforementioned shortwave. Modest cold advection will kick in, bringing much cooler air to the area. Daytime temperatures are set to be in the upper 40s to 50s through the weekend, which is quite the change to the 70s and 80s we have been seeing. Overnight lows will be in the 30s, with areas north of Interstate 80 seeing lows approaching freezing. Thus, our north will have the chance to see a frost/freeze during this timeframe. Although, confidence is lower on this now, as temperatures have trended upwards a few degrees since the last forecast package. Dry conditions are expected through the weekend, with mostly clear skies. While cooler, it should be a relatively pleasant weekend. Going into next week, it looks like the upper level pattern becomes active again. There remains many differences amongst guidance, but precipitation chances return to the area by midweek, along with increasing temperatures. && .AVIATION /00Z TAFS THROUGH 00Z FRIDAY/... Issued at 635 PM CDT Wed Apr 15 2026 The main focus for the 00z TAF issuance will be SHRA/TSRA that is currently just to the west of the terminals. This activity is expected to continue to move east over the next few hours. Periods of MVFR ceilings and reduced visibility are possible with any storms impacting the terminals and visibility dropping lower in heavier activity. Erratic wind gusts 35-40 kts may be possible with the line of TSRA. Conditions improve west to east behind the departing line of storms, although guidance hints at the potential for shower or storms to linger at DBQ for a couple of hours. Low level moisture works its way back into the area tonight with lowering MVFR ceilings at DBQ and MLI. Conditions will improve after day break Thursday. South winds this evening will veer toward the west overnight and northwest on Thursday. && .DVN WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES... IA...Flood Watch until midnight CDT tonight for IAZ040>042-051>054. IL...Flood Watch until midnight CDT tonight for ILZ001-002-007. MO...None. && SHORT TERM...Gunkel LONG TERM...Gunkel AVIATION...Diegan
Hazardous weather outlook, Apr 15, 4:23 AM CDT, 14 hours 51 minutes before
Hazardous Weather Outlook National Weather Service Quad Cities IA IL 423 AM CDT Wed Apr 15 2026 IAZ040>042-051>054-063>068-076>078-087>089-098-099-ILZ001-002-007- 009-015>018-024>026-034-035-MOZ009-010-160930- 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- 423 AM CDT Wed Apr 15 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 There is a Slight Risk, or level 2 of 5 risk, for severe weather across the Outlook area this afternoon and evening. Damaging winds, large hail and a few tornadoes are all possible. In addition, there is the potential for flash flooding in any areas that see multiple rounds of heavy rain producing storms. The greater risk for flash flooding will be north of Highway 30 where the ground is saturated from recent heavy rainfall of 1 to 3 inches. Area rivers are experiencing flooding. Please see the latest Flood Statements and Flood Warnings for details. .DAYS TWO THROUGH SEVEN...THURSDAY THROUGH TUESDAY There is an Enhanced Risk (Level 3 of 5) for severe weather across much of the area late Friday afternoon and Friday night. Damaging winds and tornadoes are the primary threats. Much colder air will bring the potential for frost and freeze conditions to parts of the area Saturday night and Sunday night. .SPOTTER INFORMATION STATEMENT... Spotter activation may be needed this afternoon and evening.
In the hours before
Local storm report, Apr 15, 2:33 PM CDT, 4 hours 41 minutes before
Preliminary Local Storm Report
National Weather Service Quad Cities IA IL
233 PM CDT Wed Apr 15 2026
..TIME... ...EVENT... ...CITY LOCATION... ...LAT.LON...
..DATE... ....MAG.... ..COUNTY LOCATION..ST.. ...SOURCE....
..REMARKS..
0537 PM Hail Packwood 41.13N 92.08W
04/14/2026 E2.00 Inch Jefferson IA Public
Time estimated using radar.
&&
MTFLocal storm report, Apr 15, 5:40 PM CDT, 1 hour 34 minutes before
Preliminary Local Storm Report
National Weather Service Quad Cities IA IL
540 PM CDT Wed Apr 15 2026
..TIME... ...EVENT... ...CITY LOCATION... ...LAT.LON...
..DATE... ....MAG.... ..COUNTY LOCATION..ST.. ...SOURCE....
..REMARKS..
0531 PM Hail 3 S Vinton 42.12N 92.03W
04/15/2026 M1.00 Inch Benton IA Emergency Mngr
&&Local storm report, Apr 15, 6:13 PM CDT, 1 hour 1 minute before
Preliminary Local Storm Report
National Weather Service Quad Cities IA IL
613 PM CDT Wed Apr 15 2026
..TIME... ...EVENT... ...CITY LOCATION... ...LAT.LON...
..DATE... ....MAG.... ..COUNTY LOCATION..ST.. ...SOURCE....
..REMARKS..
0605 PM Hail Belle Plaine 41.90N 92.28W
04/15/2026 M0.25 Inch Benton IA Trained Spotter
&&
DCLocal storm report, Apr 15, 6:50 PM CDT, 24 minutes before
Preliminary Local Storm Report
National Weather Service Quad Cities IA IL
650 PM CDT Wed Apr 15 2026
..TIME... ...EVENT... ...CITY LOCATION... ...LAT.LON...
..DATE... ....MAG.... ..COUNTY LOCATION..ST.. ...SOURCE....
..REMARKS..
0650 PM Hail Nora 42.46N 89.94W
04/15/2026 M1.00 Inch Jo Daviess IL Trained Spotter
&&
CMDLocal storm report, Apr 15, 6:55 PM CDT, 19 minutes before
Preliminary Local Storm Report
National Weather Service Quad Cities IA IL
655 PM CDT Wed Apr 15 2026
..TIME... ...EVENT... ...CITY LOCATION... ...LAT.LON...
..DATE... ....MAG.... ..COUNTY LOCATION..ST.. ...SOURCE....
..REMARKS..
0645 PM Rain Nora 42.46N 89.94W
04/15/2026 M1.60 Inch Jo Daviess IL Trained Spotter
Rainfall total between 9:00am and 6:45pm in
Nora, Illinois. More rainfall expected to
fall.
&&
CMDThe office that day
Everything else NWS Quad Cities, IA issued on the same UTC day.
| Issued | Product | Office | Counties | Lasted |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Apr 15, 7:00 PM CDT | Flash Flood Warning | DVN | Jo Daviess | 4 hr |
| Apr 15, 7:51 PM CDT | Severe Thunderstorm Warning | DVN | Mercer, Rock Island | 54 min |
| Apr 15, 7:59 PM CDT | Tornado Warning | DVN | Stephenson | 20 min |
| Apr 15, 8:02 PM CDT | Tornado Warning | DVN | Mercer, Rock Island | 28 min |
| Apr 15, 8:13 PM CDT | Tornado Warning | DVN | Hancock | 47 min |
| Apr 15, 8:14 PM CDT | Flash Flood Warning | DVN | Carroll, Jo Daviess | 3 hr |
| Apr 15, 8:24 PM CDT | Tornado Warning | DVN | Mercer, Rock Island | 39 min |
| Apr 15, 8:30 PM CDT | Tornado Warning | DVN | Rock Island | 17 min |
| Apr 15, 9:26 PM CDT | River Flood Watch | DVN | Mercer, Rock Island | 21 days |
| Apr 15, 10:26 PM CDT | Severe Thunderstorm Warning | DVN | McDonough | 19 min |
| Apr 16, 10:43 AM CDT | River Flood Warning | DVN | Henry, Rock Island, Whiteside | 16 days |
| Apr 16, 10:43 AM CDT | River Flood Warning | DVN | Henry, Rock Island | 21 days |
| Apr 16, 10:43 AM CDT | River Flood Warning | DVN | Whiteside | 6 days |
| Apr 16, 11:30 AM CDT | River Flood Watch | DVN | Jo Daviess | 21 days |
| Apr 16, 11:30 AM CDT | River Flood Warning | DVN | Henderson, Mercer | 21 days |
| Apr 16, 11:30 AM CDT | River Flood Warning | DVN | Mercer | 21 days |
| Apr 16, 11:30 AM CDT | River Flood Warning | DVN | Hancock | 21 days |
| Apr 16, 11:30 AM CDT | River Flood Warning | DVN | Mercer, Rock Island | 12 days |
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; the sounding from the Mesonet's radiosonde archive; radar from the NEXRAD Level II archive.