Alert archive / Illinois / Flash Flood Warnings in 2026
Flash Flood Warning 3, NWS Lincoln, IL
NWS Lincoln, IL issued this flash flood warning at Apr 3, 2026, 7:54 PM CDT for McLean County, Woodford County, Illinois. It was in force for 3 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
- Apr 3, 2026, 7:54 PM CDT (00:54 UTC)
- Expired
- Apr 3, 2026, 10:48 PM CDT
- In force
- 3 hr
- Issued by
- NWS Lincoln, IL
- Area
- Storm-based polygon
- Flood severity
- None
Counties McLean County, IL, Woodford County, IL
The radar
The Lincoln radar (KILX), 67 km from the middle of the area, began a volume at 00:54 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Apr 3, 7:55 PM CDT | FLASH FLOOD | 3 E Congerville, IL | Flash flooding at county road 2000 east and route 150. 4-6 inches of water over the roadway. |
| Apr 3, 9:06 PM CDT | RAIN 2.81 | Congerville, IL |
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 one storm report to this flash flood warning; the first came 1 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 00:00Z, 0.9 hours before the alert went out and 71 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
- 1147 J/kg
- Mixed-layer CIN
- -23 J/kg
- Mixed-layer LCL
- 1065 m above ground
- 0-6 km bulk shear
- 44 kt
- 0-1 km storm-relative helicity
- 167 m²/s²
- 0-3 km storm-relative helicity
- 188 m²/s²
- Significant tornado parameter
- 1.2
- Supercell composite
- 8.8
The text
As transmitted.
774
WGUS53 KILX 040054
FFWILX
ILC113-203-040400-
/O.NEW.KILX.FF.W.0003.260404T0054Z-260404T0400Z/
/00000.0.ER.000000T0000Z.000000T0000Z.000000T0000Z.OO/
BULLETIN - EAS ACTIVATION REQUESTED
Flash Flood Warning
National Weather Service Lincoln IL
754 PM CDT Fri Apr 3 2026
The National Weather Service in Lincoln has issued a
* Flash Flood Warning for...
Northwestern McLean County in central Illinois...
Southeastern Woodford County in central Illinois...
* Until 1100 PM CDT.
* At 751 PM CDT, Doppler radar indicated thunderstorms producing
heavy rain across the warned area. Between 1.5 and 2.5 inches of
rain have fallen. 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...
El Paso, Hudson, Gridley, Goodfield, Carlock, Congerville, Secor,
Kappa and Panola.
Roadway flooding was reported in El Paso by the Emergency Manager at
743 pm making some roads impassable.
PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...
Turn around, don't drown when encountering flooded roads. Most flood
deaths occur in vehicles.
&&
LAT...LON 4062 8930 4086 8901 4082 8893 4075 8893
4075 8888 4076 8878 4076 8877 4075 8877
4052 8913 4060 8917 4062 8927
FLASH FLOOD...RADAR INDICATED
$$
Knutsvig1 follow-up statement
123
WGUS73 KILX 040348
FFSILX
Flash Flood Statement
National Weather Service Lincoln IL
1048 PM CDT Fri Apr 3 2026
ILC113-203-040358-
/O.CAN.KILX.FF.W.0003.000000T0000Z-260404T0400Z/
/00000.0.ER.000000T0000Z.000000T0000Z.000000T0000Z.OO/
McLean IL-Woodford IL-
1048 PM CDT Fri Apr 3 2026
...FLASH FLOOD WARNING IS CANCELLED FOR NORTHWESTERN MCLEAN AND
SOUTHEASTERN WOODFORD COUNTIES...
Flood waters have receded. The heavy rain has ended. Flooding is no
longer expected to pose a threat. Please continue to heed remaining
road closures.
A Flood Watch remains in effect until 1000 AM CDT Saturday for
portions of central and west central Illinois.
&&
LAT...LON 4062 8930 4086 8901 4082 8893 4075 8893
4075 8888 4076 8878 4076 8877 4075 8877
4052 8913 4060 8917 4062 8927
$$
25What 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 Apr 3, 6:19 PM CDT, 1 hour 35 minutes earlier. Its key messages:
- Two periods of severe weather are expected through tonight. Of those, the first one (2-10 pm) would be most likely to produce all severe weather hazards, primarily west of I-55. The second one, after midnight, will mainly see a localized damaging wind threat.
- A trend for cooler weather is on tap for the second half of the weekend, into Tuesday. There is concern for a hard freeze in parts of central Illinois Monday night, mainly focused on areas near and north of I-74.
Area forecast discussion, Apr 3, 6:19 PM CDT, 1 hour 35 minutes before
Area Forecast Discussion National Weather Service Lincoln IL 619 PM CDT Fri Apr 3 2026 .KEY MESSAGES... - Two periods of severe weather are expected through tonight. Of those, the first one (2-10 pm) would be most likely to produce all severe weather hazards, primarily west of I-55. The second one, after midnight, will mainly see a localized damaging wind threat. - A trend for cooler weather is on tap for the second half of the weekend, into Tuesday. There is concern for a hard freeze in parts of central Illinois Monday night, mainly focused on areas near and north of I-74. && .DISCUSSION... Issued at 137 PM CDT Fri Apr 3 2026 Through Saturday: A warm front was located roughly along I-72/US-36 early this afternoon, with temperatures south of it in the lower 70s and dew points in the mid 60s. Recent satellite imagery shows this particular region, while still having a fair amount of clouds, has had some breaks that have helped boost mixed layer CAPE's to around 1000 J/kg. Noontime run of the WoFS model suggests the boundary lifting about as far north as Peoria by mid afternoon. WoFS output, as well as recent runs of the HRRR and the 12z RRFS, are all focusing on convective initiation in the 2-3 pm time frame. This seems on track, as visible satellite is showing some towering cumulus centered along I-72, and some showers have been popping recently in east central Illinois. While severe weather is not a slam dunk this afternoon and evening, there are enough components that all hazards remain in play. However, most of this focus will be west of I-55, and especially toward the Illinois River valley. The first batch of storms will likely be out of our forecast area by late evening, but the line of storms associated with the cold front won't be too far behind. Main focus for that band will be in the midnight to 5 am time frame, with the main concern being with localized 50-60 mph wind gusts. After that, rain tapers from west to east on Saturday as the front pushes into Indiana by midday. Sunday through Tuesday: Much of this period will be fairly tranquil, as high pressure settles into the mid Mississippi Valley. Main concern in this time frame is with the cooler temperatures, and potential for a hard freeze. Latest LREF has about a 40% chance of a hard freeze (lows 28F or colder) Monday night, roughly along and north of I-74. Wednesday through Friday: A significant warming trend takes place, as the upper flow becomes more zonal, and high temperatures return to the 60s and 70s. Main feature of note will be a strong shortwave tracking across the northern states Wednesday-Thursday, with a trailing cold front arriving around Thursday. As it starts to parallel the upper flow, an extended chance of rain begins to set up. && .AVIATION /00Z TAFS THROUGH 00Z SUNDAY/... Issued at 618 PM CDT Fri Apr 3 2026 Cluster of strong/severe storms is moving NE and will be impacting KPIA before 00z, and likely stay just west of KBMI. Wind gusts near 50 knots possible with the strongest storms. Main threat for more widespread thunder activity will mainly be in the 06-10z time frame from west to east, as a cold front moves through the area. Outside of the storms, there will be a period of IFR or low MVFR ceilings behind the front, mainly from about 10-18z. Steady improvement is expected around midday. Expect southerly winds to become west behind the front late tonight, with gusts 20-25 knots persisting through much of Saturday. && .ILX WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES... None. && KEY MESSAGES...Geelhart DISCUSSION...Geelhart AVIATION...Geelhart
Hazardous weather outlook, Apr 3, 1:40 PM CDT, 6 hours 14 minutes before
Hazardous Weather Outlook National Weather Service Lincoln IL 140 PM CDT Fri Apr 3 2026 ILZ027>031-036>038-040>053-041845- Knox-Stark-Peoria-Marshall-Woodford-Fulton-Tazewell-McLean-Schuyler- Mason-Logan-De Witt-Piatt-Champaign-Vermilion-Cass-Menard-Scott- Morgan-Sangamon-Christian-Macon- 140 PM CDT Fri Apr 3 2026 This Hazardous Weather Outlook is for central Illinois, east central Illinois and west central Illinois. .DAY ONE...This afternoon and tonight. Periods of thunderstorms are expected through tonight. Some of these storms may be strong to severe, especially during the afternoon and early evening and again late evening and overnight. A few tornadoes are possible during the afternoon and evening. Damaging wind gusts over 60 mph and large hail over 1 inch diameter are possible with the strongest storms. Locally heavy rainfall could also produce areas of flooding in urban and poor drainage areas as well as near rivers. .DAYS TWO THROUGH SEVEN...Saturday through Thursday. A few thunderstorms may continue into Saturday morning. Minor flooding is expected along the Illinois River, beginning early next week. Freezing temperatures are possible Monday night, and may cause damage to newly emerged tender vegetation. .SPOTTER INFORMATION STATEMENT... Spotter activation may be needed from 2 to 7 pm. Expected storm motion is toward the northeast around 35 mph. ILZ054>057-061>063-066>068-071>073-041845- Moultrie-Douglas-Coles-Edgar-Shelby-Cumberland-Clark-Effingham- Jasper-Crawford-Clay-Richland-Lawrence- 140 PM CDT Fri Apr 3 2026 This Hazardous Weather Outlook is for central Illinois, east central Illinois and southeast Illinois. .DAY ONE...This afternoon and tonight. Periods of thunderstorms are expected through tonight. Some of these storms may be strong to severe. Damaging wind gusts over 60 mph and large hail over 1 inch diameter are possible with the strongest storms. Locally heavy rainfall could also produce areas of flooding in urban and poor drainage areas as well as near rivers. .DAYS TWO THROUGH SEVEN...Saturday through Thursday. A few thunderstorms may continue into Saturday morning. Minor flooding is possible along the Wabash River and may develop along the Little Wabash River this weekend, continuing into next week. Freezing temperatures are possible Monday night, and may cause damage to newly emerged tender vegetation. .SPOTTER INFORMATION STATEMENT... Spotter activation is not anticipated for tonight. MJA
In the hours before
Local storm report, Apr 3, 7:09 PM CDT, 45 minutes before
Preliminary Local Storm Report
National Weather Service Lincoln IL
709 PM CDT Fri Apr 3 2026
..TIME... ...EVENT... ...CITY LOCATION... ...LAT.LON...
..DATE... ....MAG.... ..COUNTY LOCATION..ST.. ...SOURCE....
..REMARKS..
0645 PM Tstm Wnd Dmg 2 SW Forest City 40.36N 89.86W
04/03/2026 Mason IL Emergency Mngr
powerlines down on Manito blacktop road.
&&Local storm report, Apr 3, 7:10 PM CDT, 44 minutes before
Preliminary Local Storm Report...Summary
National Weather Service Lincoln IL
710 PM CDT Fri Apr 3 2026
..TIME... ...EVENT... ...CITY LOCATION... ...LAT.LON...
..DATE... ....MAG.... ..COUNTY LOCATION..ST.. ...SOURCE....
..REMARKS..
0515 PM Funnel Cloud 2 SE Topeka 40.33N 89.89W
04/03/2026 Mason IL Trained Spotter
Funnel cloud reported southwest of Forest
City.
0521 PM Hail Manito 40.43N 89.78W
04/03/2026 E1.00 Inch Mason IL Broadcast Media
0523 PM Hail Forest City 40.37N 89.83W
04/03/2026 M2.00 Inch Mason IL Broadcast Media
0527 PM Funnel Cloud 5 SE Union 40.35N 89.73W
04/03/2026 Mason IL Public
0602 PM Tornado 3 SW Hopedale 40.39N 89.46W
04/03/2026 Tazewell IL Emergency Mngr
tornado touched down then lifted, rotating
wall cloud shortly after.
0603 PM Tornado 4 SW Hopedale 40.39N 89.47W
04/03/2026 Tazewell IL Trained Spotter
0611 PM Hail 1 ESE Tremont 40.52N 89.48W
04/03/2026 M0.88 Inch Tazewell IL NWS Employee
0617 PM Hail 3 SSE Tremont 40.49N 89.47W
04/03/2026 E1.00 Inch Tazewell IL NWS Employee
0633 PM Tstm Wnd Dmg 1 SSE Topeka 40.32N 89.93W
04/03/2026 Mason IL Emergency Mngr
Powerlines down in the Topeka area.
0635 PM Funnel Cloud 3 NNW Minier 40.47N 89.34W
04/03/2026 Tazewell IL Trained Spotter
Spotter reports a funnel cloud southeast of
his location, halfway between Mackinaw and
Hopedale.
0645 PM Tstm Wnd Dmg 2 SW Forest City 40.36N 89.86W
04/03/2026 Mason IL Emergency Mngr
powerlines down on Manito blacktop road.
0653 PM Flood Tremont 40.53N 89.49W
04/03/2026 Tazewell IL Emergency Mngr
Corrects time on the previous flood report
from Tremont. Significant street flooding
reported by EM.
0655 PM Hail Forest City 40.37N 89.83W
04/03/2026 M1.00 Inch Mason IL Emergency Mngr
&&Local storm report, Apr 3, 7:45 PM CDT, 9 minutes before
Preliminary Local Storm Report
National Weather Service Lincoln IL
745 PM CDT Fri Apr 3 2026
..TIME... ...EVENT... ...CITY LOCATION... ...LAT.LON...
..DATE... ....MAG.... ..COUNTY LOCATION..ST.. ...SOURCE....
..REMARKS..
0741 PM Flood Canton 40.56N 90.04W
04/03/2026 Fulton IL Trained Spotter
Standing water over the curbs with vehicles
driving through reported by a SWOP observer.
&&
RACLocal storm report, Apr 3, 7:49 PM CDT, 5 minutes before
Preliminary Local Storm Report
National Weather Service Lincoln IL
749 PM CDT Fri Apr 3 2026
..TIME... ...EVENT... ...CITY LOCATION... ...LAT.LON...
..DATE... ....MAG.... ..COUNTY LOCATION..ST.. ...SOURCE....
..REMARKS..
0743 PM Flood 2 W Kappa 40.68N 89.04W
04/03/2026 Woodford IL Public
El Paso ESDA reported flooding over the
roadway at county road 2600 east and county
road 600 N with the road being impassable.
&&
RACLocal storm report, Apr 3, 7:52 PM CDT, 2 minutes before
Preliminary Local Storm Report
National Weather Service Lincoln IL
752 PM CDT Fri Apr 3 2026
..TIME... ...EVENT... ...CITY LOCATION... ...LAT.LON...
..DATE... ....MAG.... ..COUNTY LOCATION..ST.. ...SOURCE....
..REMARKS..
0743 PM Flood 2 W Kappa 40.68N 89.04W
04/03/2026 Woodford IL Emergency Mngr
Corrects source of previous flood report
from 2 W Kappa. El Paso ESDA reported
flooding over the roadway at county road
2600 east and county road 600 N with the
road being impassable.
&&
RACLocal storm report, Apr 3, 7:53 PM CDT, 1 minute before
Preliminary Local Storm Report...Summary
National Weather Service Lincoln IL
753 PM CDT Fri Apr 3 2026
..TIME... ...EVENT... ...CITY LOCATION... ...LAT.LON...
..DATE... ....MAG.... ..COUNTY LOCATION..ST.. ...SOURCE....
..REMARKS..
0741 PM Flood Canton 40.56N 90.04W
04/03/2026 Fulton IL Trained Spotter
Standing water over the curbs with vehicles
driving through reported by a SWOP observer.
0743 PM Flood 2 W Kappa 40.68N 89.04W
04/03/2026 Woodford IL Emergency Mngr
Corrects source of previous flood report
from 2 W Kappa. El Paso ESDA reported
flooding over the roadway at county road
2600 east and county road 600 N with the
road being impassable.
0746 PM Flood 2 NW Carlock 40.60N 89.16W
04/03/2026 Woodford IL Emergency Mngr
County road 2000 east at county road 100 n
outside of Congerville is impassable due to
flood waters reported by EM.
&&The office that day
Everything else NWS Lincoln, IL issued on the same UTC day.
| Issued | Product | Office | Counties | Lasted |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Apr 3, 7:01 PM CDT | Severe Thunderstorm Warning | ILX | McLean, Woodford | 45 min |
| Apr 3, 7:05 PM CDT | Flash Flood Warning | ILX | McLean, Tazewell, Woodford | 3 hr |
| Apr 3, 7:46 PM CDT | Areal Flood Advisory | ILX | Fulton | 3 hr |
| Apr 3, 8:31 PM CDT | Severe Thunderstorm Warning | ILX | Tazewell, Woodford | 24 min |
| Apr 3, 8:40 PM CDT | Areal Flood Advisory | ILX | Tazewell, Woodford | 2 hr |
| Apr 3, 8:58 PM CDT | Flood Watch | ILX | Fulton, Knox, McLean, Marshall, Mason, Peoria and 3 more | 8 hr |
| Apr 3, 11:42 PM CDT | River Flood Warning | ILX | McLean, Tazewell, Woodford | 12 hr |
| Apr 3, 11:52 PM CDT | River Flood Warning | ILX | Brown, Cass, Morgan, Schuyler | 39 days |
| Apr 3, 11:53 PM CDT | River Flood Warning | ILX | Cass, Fulton, Mason | 38 days |
| Apr 3, 11:55 PM CDT | River Flood Warning | ILX | Peoria, Tazewell, Woodford | 21 days |
| Apr 3, 11:56 PM CDT | River Flood Warning | ILX | Marshall, Putnam | 60 hr |
| Apr 4, 3:21 AM CDT | Areal Flood Warning | ILX | Woodford | 7 hr |
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.