Alert archive / Illinois / Flash Flood Warnings in 2026
Flash Flood Warning 41, NWS Lincoln, IL
NWS Lincoln, IL issued this flash flood warning at Jun 27, 2026, 1:18 PM CDT for 6 counties in Illinois. It was in force for 6 hr. 4 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
- Jun 27, 2026, 1:18 PM CDT (18:18 UTC)
- Expired
- Jun 27, 2026, 7:30 PM CDT
- In force
- 6 hr
- Issued by
- NWS Lincoln, IL
- Area
- Storm-based polygon
- Flood severity
- None
Counties Clay County, IL, Crawford County, IL, Effingham County, IL, Jasper County, IL, Lawrence County, IL, Richland County, IL
The radar
The Evansville,IN radar (KVWX), 71 km from the middle of the area, began a volume at 18:19 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jun 27, 2:10 PM CDT | FLASH FLOOD | 2 S Xenia, IL | The Xenia Fire Department reported flooding along Fairfield Road south of Xenia. |
| Jun 27, 2:15 PM CDT | RAIN 1.12 | 1 Sw Newton, IL | Mesonet station EW2373 Newton. |
| Jun 27, 3:58 PM CDT | RAIN 1.13 | 2 Sse Clay City, IL | Mesonet station AX448 CLAY CITY. |
| Jun 27, 5:08 PM CDT | RAIN 1.16 | 2 Sse Clay City, IL | Mesonet station AX448 CLAY CITY. |
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 52 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, 6.3 hours before the alert went out and 156 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
- 255 J/kg
- Mixed-layer CIN
- -49 J/kg
- Mixed-layer LCL
- 464 m above ground
- 0-6 km bulk shear
- 22 kt
- 0-1 km storm-relative helicity
- 123 m²/s²
- 0-3 km storm-relative helicity
- 160 m²/s²
- Significant tornado parameter
- 0.0
- Supercell composite
- 1.5
The text
As transmitted.
939
WGUS53 KILX 271818
FFWILX
ILC025-033-049-079-101-159-280030-
/O.NEW.KILX.FF.W.0041.260627T1818Z-260628T0030Z/
/00000.0.ER.000000T0000Z.000000T0000Z.000000T0000Z.OO/
BULLETIN - EAS ACTIVATION REQUESTED
Flash Flood Warning
National Weather Service Lincoln IL
118 PM CDT Sat Jun 27 2026
The National Weather Service in Lincoln has issued a
* Flash Flood Warning for...
Crawford County in east central Illinois...
Clay County in south central Illinois...
Southeastern Effingham County in south central Illinois...
Jasper County in southeastern Illinois...
Lawrence County in southeastern Illinois...
Richland County in southeastern Illinois...
* Until 730 PM CDT Saturday.
* At 117 PM CDT, Doppler radar indicated thunderstorms producing
heavy rain across the warned area. The expected rainfall rate is 1
to 2 inches in 1 hour. 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...
Olney, Robinson, Flora, Lawrenceville, Newton, Sumner, Bridgeport,
Oblong, Palestine, Louisville, Clay City, St. Francisville, Noble,
Hutsonville, Edgewood, Xenia, Mason, Bible Grove, Flat Rock and
Ste. Marie.
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 hundreds of low water crossings which are
potentially dangerous in heavy rain. Do not attempt to cross flooded
roads. Find an alternate route.
&&
LAT...LON 3917 8782 3917 8766 3912 8763 3911 8765
3906 8757 3899 8756 3899 8758 3896 8751
3886 8755 3878 8750 3874 8750 3868 8753
3866 8760 3859 8761 3857 8765 3861 8870
3891 8869 3892 8879
FLASH FLOOD...RADAR INDICATED
EXPECTED RAINFALL RATE...1-2 INCHES IN 1 HOUR
$$
251 follow-up statement
429
WGUS73 KILX 280032 RRA
FFSILX
Flash Flood Statement
National Weather Service Lincoln IL
732 PM CDT Sat Jun 27 2026
ILC025-049-101-159-280042-
/O.EXP.KILX.FF.W.0041.000000T0000Z-260628T0030Z/
/00000.0.ER.000000T0000Z.000000T0000Z.000000T0000Z.OO/
Clay IL-Effingham IL-Lawrence IL-Richland IL-
732 PM CDT Sat Jun 27 2026
...FLASH FLOOD WARNING HAS EXPIRED FOR CRAWFORD, CLAY, SOUTHEASTERN
EFFINGHAM, JASPER, LAWRENCE AND RICHLAND COUNTIES...
Flooding is no longer expected to pose a threat. Please continue to
heed remaining road closures.
&&
LAT...LON 3917 8782 3917 8766 3912 8763 3911 8765
3906 8757 3899 8756 3899 8758 3896 8751
3886 8755 3878 8750 3874 8750 3868 8753
3866 8760 3859 8761 3857 8765 3861 8870
3891 8869 3892 8879
$$
07What 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 Jun 27, 12:54 PM CDT, 24 minutes earlier. Its key messages:
- A marginal risk of severe thunderstorms and localized heavy rainfall exists south of Interstate 70 this afternoon, while a stalled front south of Interstate 72 presents a risk for funnel clouds.
- An extended period of dangerous heat and humidity begins Sunday, with a Heat Advisory active and likely requiring extensions through much of the upcoming workweek.
- Dry conditions dominate through midweek before thunderstorm chances return late next week.
Area forecast discussion, Jun 27, 12:54 PM CDT, 24 minutes before
Area Forecast Discussion National Weather Service Lincoln IL 1254 PM CDT Sat Jun 27 2026 .KEY MESSAGES... - A marginal risk of severe thunderstorms and localized heavy rainfall exists south of Interstate 70 this afternoon, while a stalled front south of Interstate 72 presents a risk for funnel clouds. - An extended period of dangerous heat and humidity begins Sunday, with a Heat Advisory active and likely requiring extensions through much of the upcoming workweek. - Dry conditions dominate through midweek before thunderstorm chances return late next week. && .DISCUSSION... Issued at 1254 PM CDT Sat Jun 27 2026 Current surface analysis reveals a weak, stalled frontal boundary positioned just south of the Interstate 72 corridor. High-resolution convective guidance indicates an environment characterized by localized low-level vorticity and weak vertical shear along this boundary. The Non-Supercell Tornado Parameter (NSTP) highlights values between 2 and 4, which justifies a mention of funnel clouds stretched along a Jacksonville to Paris corridor through this afternoon (see recently issued Special Weather Statement). In fact, a brief funnel was reported at noon south of Decatur. If enough cloud breaks can be sustained, an increase in low level lapse rates paired with low LCLs would make a few landspout tornadoes possible, though higher boundary layer friction due to crop height make this less likely than a month or two ago. South of the Interstate 70 corridor, a more unstable airmass is present, characterized by mid-upper 70s dewpoints and MLCAPE values near 2000 J/kg. Effective bulk shear remains low at 25 kt or less, making organized/widespread severe weather unlikely. The Storm Prediction Center has placed this southern tier under a Marginal Risk for severe thunderstorms into early evening. Convective elements within this zone are capable of producing isolated damaging wind gusts due to precip loading and torrential rainfall. HREF hourly probability fields show a 40% chance of localized rainfall amounts exceeding 1 inch, which raises the potential for isolated/localized flash flooding Sunday morning, a warm front swings north across the CWA, bringing a low (20-30%) chance of an isolated shower or storm. Behind the front, winds veer southeast to south through afternoon and upper-level heights rise rapidly as a sub- tropical ridge expands northward from the Gulf Coast. NBM guidance indicates high temperatures climbing into the lower 90s over the southwest half of the CWA. Paired with high ambient humidity, heat index values are projected to exceed 100 degrees across much of the forecast area, with values up to 105 degrees in southeast and west central Illinois. A Heat Advisory goes into effect Sunday afternoon southwest of a Peoria to Robinson line to address these conditions. An intense and prolonged heat wave will dominate the weather pattern across central and southeast Illinois through midweek. Strong multi-model consensus among the GEFS and ECMWF ensembles shows a core 594 dam ridge anchoring over the Mississippi and Ohio River Valleys. The ECMWF Extreme Forecast Index (EFI) highlights values between 0.8 and 0.9 for maximum temperatures Monday through Wednesday, signifying that the magnitude of this heat event is unusual in a climatological context for the end of June. Furthermore, given low-mid 70s forecast dewpoints, peak heat index values exceeding 105 degrees are likely during this timeframe. High confidence exists regarding the severity and medium confidence in the longevity of this heat event, and the Heat Advisory will likely require extension through at least Wednesday for the entire CWA. A forecast challenge emerges late week regarding the breakdown of the ridge and the return of precipitation. Notable disagreements exist among medium range ensemble guidance. The GFS presents a faster and more progressive upper-level trough shifting across the Northern Plains by Thursday, which acts to suppress the ridge and introduce thunderstorm chances ahead of a cold front. In contrast, the ECMWF Ens/ECMWF-AI maintain a stronger ridge over the eastern United States, holding precipitation chances at bay until Friday or Saturday. Due to these discrepancies, confidence is below normal regarding the exact timing of storm chances late next week. && .AVIATION /18Z TAFS THROUGH 18Z SUNDAY/... Issued at 1157 AM CDT Sat Jun 27 2026 Current batch of IFR ceiling over central IL is forecast to lift into MVFR category early this afternoon, then above the MVFR threshold late afternoon. However, IFR ceilings are forecast to redevelop overnight near a slow moving boundary along the I-72 corridor, then expand north over all central IL terminals. These ceilings should improve by late morning as a warm front lifts across the area. A few SHRA/TSRA could accompany the front, however coverage is too low to include in TAFs at this point. Winds will generally be light easterly through tonight, then firming from the southeast around 10 kt by late morning. && .ILX WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES... Heat Advisory from 1 PM to 7 PM CDT Sunday for ILZ027>029-036- 037-040>042-047>054-061-062-066>068-071>073. && KEY MESSAGES...25 DISCUSSION...25 AVIATION...25
Hazardous weather outlook, Jun 27, 11:42 AM CDT, 1 hour 36 minutes before
Hazardous Weather Outlook National Weather Service Lincoln IL 1142 AM CDT Sat Jun 27 2026 ILZ030-031-038-043>046-055>057-063-281645- Marshall-Woodford-McLean-De Witt-Piatt-Champaign-Vermilion-Douglas- Coles-Edgar-Clark- 1142 AM CDT Sat Jun 27 2026 This Hazardous Weather Outlook is for central Illinois and east central Illinois. .DAY ONE...This afternoon and tonight. There is a 30% chance for isolated thunderstorms today and tonight. The primary hazards with any such activity will be brief heavy rainfall, cloud-to-ground lightning, and gusty thunderstorm winds up to 60 mph. Residual flooding along the Illinois River will persist. .DAYS TWO THROUGH SEVEN...Sunday through Friday. Dangerous heat will span from Monday through Friday with daily temperatures forecast to reach the lower 90s and heat index values up to 105 degrees. The prolonged period of the heat and the fact that warm nighttime temperatures will offer limited relief make this a potentially dangerous situation. Residual flooding along the Illinois River will persist. .SPOTTER INFORMATION STATEMENT... Spotter activation is not anticipated through tonight. ILZ027>029-036-037-040>042-047>054-061-062-066>068-071>073-281645- Knox-Stark-Peoria-Fulton-Tazewell-Schuyler-Mason-Logan-Cass-Menard- Scott-Morgan-Sangamon-Christian-Macon-Moultrie-Shelby-Cumberland- Effingham-Jasper-Crawford-Clay-Richland-Lawrence- 1142 AM CDT Sat Jun 27 2026 This Hazardous Weather Outlook is for central Illinois, east central Illinois, southeast Illinois and west central Illinois. .DAY ONE...This afternoon and tonight. There is a 30% chance for isolated thunderstorms today and tonight. The primary hazards with any such activity will be brief heavy rainfall, cloud-to-ground lightning, and gusty thunderstorm winds up to 60 mph. Residual flooding along the Embarras and Little Wabash rivers will persist. .DAYS TWO THROUGH SEVEN...Sunday through Friday. Dangerous heat will span from Sunday through Friday with daily temperatures forecast to reach the lower 90s and heat index values up to 105 degrees. The prolonged period of the heat and the fact that warm nighttime temperatures will offer limited relief make this a potentially dangerous situation. Residual flooding along the Embarras and Little Wabash rivers will persist. .SPOTTER INFORMATION STATEMENT... Spotter activation is not anticipated through tonight. MJA
In the hours before
Special weather statement, Jun 27, 12:31 PM CDT, 47 minutes before
Special Weather Statement National Weather Service Lincoln IL 1231 PM CDT Sat Jun 27 2026 ILZ049>057-061>063-280000- Scott-Morgan-Sangamon-Christian-Macon-Moultrie-Douglas-Coles-Edgar- Shelby-Cumberland-Clark- Including the cities of Winchester, Jacksonville, Springfield, Taylorville, Decatur, Sullivan, Tuscola, Charleston, Mattoon, Paris, Shelbyville, Greenup, and Marshall 1231 PM CDT Sat Jun 27 2026 ...FUNNEL CLOUDS SIGHTED OVER CENTRAL ILLINOIS... Atmospheric conditions exist that favor the possible formation of weak circulations along a pre-existing boundary. Some of these circulations are occurring underneath developing showers and thunderstorms, where a funnel cloud may develop. Once the rain begins, the funnel cloud usually dissipates. Low hanging clouds can also appear to dip up and down at times, but they will not show signs of any rapid rotation. An actual funnel cloud will exhibit spinning in a counter-clockwise direction. In rare instances these funnels may briefly touch down. Stay alert and be prepared to move to a safe shelter if a funnel cloud approaches the ground. MJA
The office that day
Everything else NWS Lincoln, IL issued on the same UTC day.
| Issued | Product | Office | Counties | Lasted |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jun 27, 11:14 AM CDT | Heat Advisory | ILX | Cass, Christian, Clay, Crawford, Cumberland, Effingham and 18 more | 32 hr |
| Jun 27, 3:19 PM CDT | Flash Flood Warning | ILX | Clark, Crawford, Cumberland, Jasper | 4 hr |
| Jun 27, 3:52 PM CDT | Flash Flood Warning | ILX | Clark, Coles, Edgar | 4 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.