Alert archive / Illinois / Flash Flood Warnings in 2026

Flash Flood Warning 43, NWS Lincoln, IL

June 27, 2026Clark County, Coles County, Edgar County, Illinois

NWS Lincoln, IL issued this flash flood warning at Jun 27, 2026, 3:52 PM CDT for Clark County, Coles County, Edgar County, Illinois. It was in force for 4 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
Jun 27, 2026, 3:52 PM CDT (20:52 UTC)
Expired
Jun 27, 2026, 7:30 PM CDT
In force
4 hr
Issued by
NWS Lincoln, IL
Area
Storm-based polygon
Flood severity
None

Counties Clark County, IL, Coles County, IL, Edgar County, IL

The radar

The Evansville,IN radar (KVWX), 132 km from the middle of the area, began a volume at 20:55 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

TimeReportWhereRemark
Jun 27, 4:45 PM CDTFLASH FLOODCharleston, ILSignificant flooding into an apartment building with several units taking on water. Fire department dispatched to scene on 4th street in Charleston.
Jun 27, 6:00 PM CDTRAIN 2.131 Se Charleston, ILCO-OP Observer station CRSI2 0.8 SE Charleston. 24 hour rainfall Station Elevation: 700 ft.

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 53 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, 8.9 hours before the alert went out and 96 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, Lincoln, IL at 12:00Z on 2026-06-27Temperature and dew point through the depth of the atmosphere, with the mixed-layer parcel. CAPE 255 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, Lincoln, IL at 12:00Z on 2026-06-27The wind through the lowest 10 kilometers. Zero to 1 km storm-relative helicity 123 square meters per square second.193958Sfc1 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
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

Open this sounding in Storm Lab

The text

As transmitted.

522 
WGUS53 KILX 272052
FFWILX
ILC023-029-045-280030-
/O.NEW.KILX.FF.W.0043.260627T2052Z-260628T0030Z/
/00000.0.ER.000000T0000Z.000000T0000Z.000000T0000Z.OO/

BULLETIN - EAS ACTIVATION REQUESTED
Flash Flood Warning
National Weather Service Lincoln IL
352 PM CDT Sat Jun 27 2026

The National Weather Service in Lincoln has issued a

* Flash Flood Warning for...
  Northwestern Clark County in east central Illinois...
  Eastern Coles County in east central Illinois...
  Southern Edgar County in east central Illinois...

* Until 730 PM CDT.

* At 352 PM CDT, Doppler radar indicated thunderstorms producing 
  heavy rain across the warned area. Between 1 and 2 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...
  Charleston, Paris, Kansas, Ashmore, Westfield, Lerna, Rardin, 
  Janesville, Loxa, Bushton, Fairgrange, Fox Ridge State Park, Coles 
  County Airport and Oliver.

This includes the following State Parks...
	Fox Ridge State Park.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

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

&&

LAT...LON 3938 8803 3938 8805 3938 8809 3938 8814
      3938 8815 3937 8820 3938 8831 3962 8826
      3964 8774 3950 8753 3949 8753 3948 8753
      3948 8800 3937 8800 3937 8801 3938 8801

FLASH FLOOD...RADAR INDICATED

$$

Deubelbeiss
1 follow-up statement
895 
WGUS73 KILX 280032
FFSILX

Flash Flood Statement
National Weather Service Lincoln IL
732 PM CDT Sat Jun 27 2026

ILC023-029-045-280042-
/O.EXP.KILX.FF.W.0043.000000T0000Z-260628T0030Z/
/00000.0.ER.000000T0000Z.000000T0000Z.000000T0000Z.OO/
Clark IL-Coles IL-Edgar IL-
732 PM CDT Sat Jun 27 2026

...FLASH FLOOD WARNING HAS EXPIRED FOR NORTHWESTERN CLARK, EASTERN 
COLES AND SOUTHERN EDGAR COUNTIES...

The heavy rain has ended. Flooding is no longer expected to pose a 
threat. Please continue to heed remaining road closures.

&&

LAT...LON 3938 8803 3938 8805 3938 8809 3938 8814
      3938 8815 3937 8820 3938 8831 3962 8826
      3964 8774 3950 8753 3949 8753 3948 8753
      3948 8800 3937 8800 3937 8801 3938 8801

$$

Deubelbeiss

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 Lincoln, IL wrote its last area forecast discussion before this flash flood warning went out at Jun 27, 12:54 PM CDT, 2 hours 58 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, 2 hours 58 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, 2:12 PM CDT, 1 hour 40 minutes before
Hazardous Weather Outlook
National Weather Service Lincoln IL
212 PM CDT Sat Jun 27 2026

ILZ030-031-038-043>046-055>057-063-281915-
Marshall-Woodford-McLean-De Witt-Piatt-Champaign-Vermilion-Douglas-
Coles-Edgar-Clark-
212 PM CDT Sat Jun 27 2026

This Hazardous Weather Outlook is for central Illinois and east
central Illinois.

.DAY ONE...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 tonight.

ILZ027>029-036-037-040>042-047>054-061-062-066>068-071>073-281915-
Knox-Stark-Peoria-Fulton-Tazewell-Schuyler-Mason-Logan-Cass-Menard-
Scott-Morgan-Sangamon-Christian-Macon-Moultrie-Shelby-Cumberland-
Effingham-Jasper-Crawford-Clay-Richland-Lawrence-
212 PM CDT Sat Jun 27 2026

This Hazardous Weather Outlook is for central Illinois, east
central Illinois, southeast Illinois and west central Illinois.

.DAY ONE...Tonight.

Areas near and south of Interstate 70 have an active risk of flash
flooding due to ongoing thunderstorms. Rainfall rates may exceed 1
inch per hour through the afternoon hours before tapering off this
evening.

Elsewhere, there is a 30% chance for isolated thunderstorms through
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 tonight.

MJA

In the hours before

Special weather statement, Jun 27, 12:31 PM CDT, 3 hours 21 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
Local storm report, Jun 27, 2:25 PM CDT, 1 hour 27 minutes before
Preliminary Local Storm Report
National Weather Service Lincoln IL
225 PM CDT Sat Jun 27 2026

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

0210 PM     Flash Flood      2 S Xenia               38.61N 88.64W
06/27/2026                   Clay               IL   Emergency Mngr

            The Xenia Fire Department reported flooding
            along Fairfield Road south of Xenia.

&&
Local storm report, Jun 27, 2:29 PM CDT, 1 hour 23 minutes before
Preliminary Local Storm Report
National Weather Service Lincoln IL
229 PM CDT Sat Jun 27 2026

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

0600 AM     Rain             2 WSW Lawrenceville     38.72N 87.72W
06/27/2026  M1.66 Inch       Lawrence           IL   CO-OP Observer

            CO-OP Observer station BRPI2 1.7 W
            Lawrenceville.

0700 AM     Rain             1 WSW Lawrenceville     38.72N 87.71W
06/27/2026  M1.66 Inch       Lawrence           IL   Cocorahs

            Cocorahs station IL-LW-3 1 W Lawrenceville.

1201 PM     Rain             Philo                   40.01N 88.16W
06/27/2026  M1.19 Inch       Champaign          IL   Mesonet

            Mesonet station AX523 PHILO.

0215 PM     Rain             1 SW Newton             38.98N 88.17W
06/27/2026  M1.12 Inch       Jasper             IL   Mesonet

            Mesonet station EW2373 Newton.

1210 PM     Rain             3 WSW Homer             40.01N 88.01W
06/27/2026  M1.12 Inch       Champaign          IL   Mesonet

            Mesonet station 7287D 3 WSW Homer.

0700 AM     Rain             Philo                   40.01N 88.15W
06/27/2026  M1.11 Inch       Champaign          IL   Cocorahs

            Cocorahs station IL-CP-14 Philo 0.3 NE.

0700 AM     Rain             2 SSW Farmer City       40.23N 88.66W
06/27/2026  M0.99 Inch       De Witt            IL   Cocorahs

            Cocorahs station IL-DW-5 Farmer City 1.5
            SSW.

&&
Local storm report, Jun 27, 2:49 PM CDT, 1 hour 3 minutes before
Preliminary Local Storm Report
National Weather Service Lincoln IL
249 PM CDT Sat Jun 27 2026

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

1158 AM     Funnel Cloud     Mount Zion              39.78N 88.87W
06/27/2026                   Macon              IL   Broadcast Media

            Photo of funnel cloud near Elwin road and
            highway 51.

0200 PM     Funnel Cloud     Stoy                    39.00N 87.83W
06/27/2026                   Crawford           IL   Broadcast Media

            Video of funnel cloud.

0240 PM     Funnel Cloud     3 E Greenup             39.25N 88.11W
06/27/2026                   Cumberland         IL   Broadcast Media

&&
Local storm report, Jun 27, 3:28 PM CDT, 24 minutes before
Preliminary Local Storm Report
National Weather Service Lincoln IL
328 PM CDT Sat Jun 27 2026

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

0200 PM     Tstm Wnd Dmg     Stoy                    39.00N 87.83W
06/27/2026                   Crawford           IL   Broadcast Media

            Photo of tree damage by two homes in Stoy.
            Video of funnel cloud at Stoy, possible
            tornado.

&&

The office that day

Everything else NWS Lincoln, IL issued on the same UTC day.

IssuedProductOfficeCountiesLasted
Jun 27, 11:14 AM CDTHeat AdvisoryILXCass, Christian, Clay, Crawford, Cumberland, Effingham and 18 more32 hr
Jun 27, 1:18 PM CDTFlash Flood WarningILXClay, Crawford, Effingham, Jasper, Lawrence, Richland6 hr
Jun 27, 3:19 PM CDTFlash Flood WarningILXClark, Crawford, Cumberland, Jasper4 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.