Alert archive / Illinois / Flash Flood Warnings in 2026
Flash Flood Warning 54, NWS Lincoln, IL
NWS Lincoln, IL issued this flash flood warning at Aug 13, 2026, 2:47 PM CDT for Champaign County, Vermilion County, Illinois. It was in force for 2 hr. 3 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
- Aug 13, 2026, 2:47 PM CDT (19:47 UTC)
- Expired
- Aug 13, 2026, 4:59 PM CDT
- In force
- 2 hr
- Issued by
- NWS Lincoln, IL
- Area
- Storm-based polygon
- Flood severity
- None
Counties Champaign County, IL, Vermilion County, IL
The radar
The Lincoln radar (KILX), 133 km from the middle of the area, began a volume at 19:48 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Aug 13, 2:57 PM CDT | FLASH FLOOD | 1 N Belgium, IL | Reports of vehicles stranded in high water at Georgetown Rd. and Lyons Rd. |
| Aug 13, 2:57 PM CDT | FLASH FLOOD | Tilton, IL | Report of vehicles stranded in high water under the 14th St. overpass (under Georgetown Rd.). |
| Aug 13, 3:16 PM CDT | FLASH FLOOD | 1 N Westville, IL | IL Rte 1 near Lyons Rd. closed due to high water. |
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 3 storm reports to this flash flood warning; the first came 10 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, 7.8 hours before the alert went out and 70 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
- 882 J/kg
- Mixed-layer CIN
- -129 J/kg
- Mixed-layer LCL
- 746 m above ground
- 0-6 km bulk shear
- 25 kt
- 0-1 km storm-relative helicity
- 60 m²/s²
- 0-3 km storm-relative helicity
- 144 m²/s²
- Significant tornado parameter
- 0.0
- Supercell composite
- 3.7
The text
As transmitted.
578
WGUS53 KILX 131947
FFWILX
ILC019-183-132245-
/O.NEW.KILX.FF.W.0054.260813T1947Z-260813T2245Z/
/00000.0.ER.000000T0000Z.000000T0000Z.000000T0000Z.OO/
BULLETIN - EAS ACTIVATION REQUESTED
Flash Flood Warning
National Weather Service Lincoln IL
247 PM CDT Thu Aug 13 2026
The National Weather Service in Lincoln has issued a
* Flash Flood Warning for...
East Central Champaign County in east central Illinois...
Central Vermilion County in east central Illinois...
* Until 545 PM CDT.
* At 245 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. The heaviest rains will be near
Danville and Oakwood south. 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...
Danville, St. Joseph, Westville, Tilton, Catlin, Oakwood, Ogden,
Fithian, Belgium, Royal, Muncie and Flatville.
This includes the following State Parks...
Kickapoo State Recreation Area.
This includes Interstate 74 between mile markers 189 and 220.
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.
&&
LAT...LON 4027 8803 4025 8793 4015 8753 4014 8753
4005 8753 4000 8753 3999 8753 4008 8794
4013 8815
FLASH FLOOD...RADAR INDICATED
$$
072 follow-up statements
188
WGUS73 KILX 132002
FFSILX
Flash Flood Statement
National Weather Service Lincoln IL
302 PM CDT Thu Aug 13 2026
ILC019-183-132245-
/O.CON.KILX.FF.W.0054.000000T0000Z-260813T2245Z/
/00000.0.ER.000000T0000Z.000000T0000Z.000000T0000Z.OO/
Champaign IL-Vermilion IL-
302 PM CDT Thu Aug 13 2026
...FLASH FLOOD WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 545 PM CDT THIS
AFTERNOON FOR EAST CENTRAL CHAMPAIGN AND CENTRAL VERMILION
COUNTIES...
At 259 PM CDT, Doppler radar indicated thunderstorms producing heavy
rain across the warned area over Vermilion county. Between 1 and 2
inches of rain have fallen. Additional rainfall amounts of 1 to 1.5
inches are possible over central and southern Vermilion county. At
257 pm, Vermilion county EMA reported vehicles stuck in high water
in Belgium at Georgetown road and Lyons road and in Tilton at 14th
street overpass under Georgetown road. Flash flooding is ongoing or
expected to begin shortly.
HAZARD...Flash flooding caused by thunderstorms.
SOURCE...Radar.
IMPACT...Flash flooding of small creeks and streams, urban areas,
highways, streets and underpasses as well as other poor
drainage and low-lying areas.
Some locations that will experience flash flooding include...
Danville, St. Joseph, Westville, Tilton, Catlin, Oakwood, Ogden,
Fithian, Belgium, Royal, Muncie and Flatville.
This includes the following State Parks...
Kickapoo State Recreation Area.
This includes Interstate 74 between mile markers 189 and 220.
PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...
Turn around, don't drown when encountering flooded roads. Most flood
deaths occur in vehicles. Be aware of your surroundings and do not
drive on flooded roads.
&&
LAT...LON 4027 8803 4025 8793 4015 8753 4014 8753
4005 8753 4000 8753 3999 8753 4008 8794
4013 8815
FLASH FLOOD...RADAR INDICATED
$$
07052
WGUS73 KILX 132159
FFSILX
Flash Flood Statement
National Weather Service Lincoln IL
459 PM CDT Thu Aug 13 2026
ILC019-183-132209-
/O.CAN.KILX.FF.W.0054.000000T0000Z-260813T2245Z/
/00000.0.ER.000000T0000Z.000000T0000Z.000000T0000Z.OO/
Champaign IL-Vermilion IL-
459 PM CDT Thu Aug 13 2026
...FLASH FLOOD WARNING IS CANCELLED FOR EAST CENTRAL CHAMPAIGN AND
CENTRAL VERMILION COUNTIES...
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 Friday for
portions of central, east central, and west central Illinois.
&&
LAT...LON 4027 8803 4025 8793 4015 8753 4014 8753
4005 8753 4000 8753 3999 8753 4008 8794
4013 8815
$$
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 Aug 13, 2:36 PM CDT, 11 minutes earlier. Its key messages:
- Flash flooding is a concern along and north of the I-74 corridor overnight. HREF probabilities of more than 2 inches of rain are 30-50% in this area, although some local totals over 3 inches are possible.
- Heat index values of 100 to 105 degrees will continue into the weekend each afternoon, in areas near and south of I-70. The heat is expected to spread northward across the forecast area by Saturday.
Area forecast discussion, Aug 13, 2:36 PM CDT, 11 minutes before
Area Forecast Discussion National Weather Service Lincoln IL 236 PM CDT Thu Aug 13 2026 .KEY MESSAGES... - Flash flooding is a concern along and north of the I-74 corridor overnight. HREF probabilities of more than 2 inches of rain are 30-50% in this area, although some local totals over 3 inches are possible. - Heat index values of 100 to 105 degrees will continue into the weekend each afternoon, in areas near and south of I-70. The heat is expected to spread northward across the forecast area by Saturday. && .DISCUSSION... Issued at 235 PM CDT Thu Aug 13 2026 MCS that tracked out of Iowa earlier today intensified again as it crossed the Peoria metro, producing winds around 70 mph and extensive damage in Bloomington. Cluster of storms has reached the Champaign area this hour, with the trailing outflow extending west through Springfield. Storms are riding along a tight gradient of CAPE and should exit the forecast area in the next few hours. Next MCS is expected to begin developing this evening closer to the warm front from Iowa to northern Indiana, then sink southward overnight. Precipitable water values over 2 inches persist through the night, and some of the northern parts of our forecast area have seen a few inches of rain since yesterday. HREF PMM precip estimates suggest 1.5-2 inches of rain in 6 hours between midnight and sunrise, and no changes are being made to the Flood Watch at this time. South half of the forecast area has a good chance of remaining dry until closer to daybreak. Heat forecasts remain a concern as well. Latest guidance suggests 100-105 heat index could reach as far north as a Rushville-Paris line tomorrow, but the extent of the lingering rain/cloud shield introduces some uncertainty as to whether or not to expand the Heat Advisory. Current inclination is to leave it in place and allow the next shift to expand it, once the timing and track of the MCS becomes more certain. An expansion for the entire forecast area appears more likely for Saturday. A quick look at the extended forecast -- upper pattern becomes more zonal for a time as high pressure sprawls more west-east across the southern U.S. Getting into early next week, riding amplifies west of the Rockies as a strong upper trough swings across the Canadian Prairies and the north central U.S. Impacts from that in our area would be more likely toward the middle of next week. A couple days of cooler temperatures are likely early next week, before warming begins again. && .AVIATION /18Z TAFS THROUGH 18Z FRIDAY/... Issued at 1243 PM CDT Thu Aug 13 2026 Cluster of severe storms just passed KPIA and will likely make it to KBMI shortly after 18z if they hold together. Another round of storms is expected to develop across northern Illinois this evening and sink southward, though arrival at the northern terminals (KPIA/KBMI) would probably be closer toward 07-09z or so. These would be accompanied by deteriorating ceilings from north to south overnight, with MVFR conditions most likely from KPIA-KCMI. Southern extent is more questionable, but heavier showers may result in some brief visibility drops into that range. && .ILX WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES... Flood Watch through Friday morning for ILZ027>031-037-038-045- 046. Heat Advisory until 8 PM CDT Sunday for ILZ066>068-071>073. && KEY MESSAGES...Geelhart DISCUSSION...Geelhart AVIATION...
Hazardous weather outlook, Aug 13, 5:00 AM CDT, 9 hours 47 minutes before
Hazardous Weather Outlook National Weather Service Lincoln IL 500 AM CDT Thu Aug 13 2026 ILZ027>031-036>038-040>057-061>063-066>068-071>073-141000- Knox-Stark-Peoria-Marshall-Woodford-Fulton-Tazewell-McLean-Schuyler- Mason-Logan-De Witt-Piatt-Champaign-Vermilion-Cass-Menard-Scott- Morgan-Sangamon-Christian-Macon-Moultrie-Douglas-Coles-Edgar-Shelby- Cumberland-Clark-Effingham-Jasper-Crawford-Clay-Richland-Lawrence- 500 AM CDT Thu Aug 13 2026 This Hazardous Weather Outlook is for central Illinois, east central Illinois, southeast Illinois and west central Illinois. .DAY ONE...Today and tonight. Heat indices of 95 to 105 are expected this afternoon south of I-72. A thunderstorm complex will move through central Illinois from late morning through afternoon. Damaging winds gusts are the primary threat, though a couple tornadoes cannot be ruled out. Additional storms are expected late tonight into the overnight hours with damaging winds and large hail possible with any stronger storms. .DAYS TWO THROUGH SEVEN...Friday through Wednesday. Hot and humid conditions will expand back northward through late week. Peak afternoon heat indices will range from 95 to 105 Friday through Sunday areawide. Daily chances for thunderstorms exist through the weekend. Some of these storms could be severe and produce heavy rain through at least Saturday. .SPOTTER INFORMATION STATEMENT... Spotter activation may be needed later this morning into afternoon. Expected storm motion is toward the east at 40-45 mph. NMA
In the hours before
Local storm report, Aug 13, 2:09 PM CDT, 38 minutes before
Preliminary Local Storm Report
National Weather Service Lincoln IL
209 PM CDT Thu Aug 13 2026
..TIME... ...EVENT... ...CITY LOCATION... ...LAT.LON...
..DATE... ....MAG.... ..COUNTY LOCATION..ST.. ...SOURCE....
..REMARKS..
0153 PM Flood Normal 40.51N 88.98W
08/13/2026 McLean IL Broadcast Media
Report of street flooding along Willow St.
&&Local storm report, Aug 13, 2:11 PM CDT, 36 minutes before
Preliminary Local Storm Report
National Weather Service Lincoln IL
211 PM CDT Thu Aug 13 2026
..TIME... ...EVENT... ...CITY LOCATION... ...LAT.LON...
..DATE... ....MAG.... ..COUNTY LOCATION..ST.. ...SOURCE....
..REMARKS..
0145 PM Tstm Wnd Gst 6 S Arrowsmith 40.36N 88.63W
08/13/2026 M61 MPH McLean IL Mesonet
&&Local storm report, Aug 13, 2:19 PM CDT, 28 minutes before
Preliminary Local Storm Report
National Weather Service Lincoln IL
219 PM CDT Thu Aug 13 2026
..TIME... ...EVENT... ...CITY LOCATION... ...LAT.LON...
..DATE... ....MAG.... ..COUNTY LOCATION..ST.. ...SOURCE....
..REMARKS..
0122 PM Tstm Wnd Dmg 3 E Bloomington 40.48N 88.94W
08/13/2026 McLean IL Public
Large tree branches down along Hershey Rd.
north of E. Empire St., near the YWCA.
&&Local storm report, Aug 13, 2:24 PM CDT, 23 minutes before
Preliminary Local Storm Report
National Weather Service Lincoln IL
224 PM CDT Thu Aug 13 2026
..TIME... ...EVENT... ...CITY LOCATION... ...LAT.LON...
..DATE... ....MAG.... ..COUNTY LOCATION..ST.. ...SOURCE....
..REMARKS..
0124 PM Tstm Wnd Dmg 4 E Bloomington 40.48N 88.92W
08/13/2026 McLean IL Public
Numerous utility poles blown down on Towanda
Barnes Rd...south of Golden Ticket Cinemas.
&&Local storm report, Aug 13, 2:31 PM CDT, 16 minutes before
Preliminary Local Storm Report
National Weather Service Lincoln IL
231 PM CDT Thu Aug 13 2026
..TIME... ...EVENT... ...CITY LOCATION... ...LAT.LON...
..DATE... ....MAG.... ..COUNTY LOCATION..ST.. ...SOURCE....
..REMARKS..
0108 PM Tstm Wnd Dmg 1 S Bloomington 40.47N 88.99W
08/13/2026 McLean IL Trained Spotter
Multiple large tree limbs down on E. Stewart
St. near Berenz Pl.
&&Local storm report, Aug 13, 2:35 PM CDT, 12 minutes before
Preliminary Local Storm Report
National Weather Service Lincoln IL
235 PM CDT Thu Aug 13 2026
..TIME... ...EVENT... ...CITY LOCATION... ...LAT.LON...
..DATE... ....MAG.... ..COUNTY LOCATION..ST.. ...SOURCE....
..REMARKS..
0145 PM Rain 2 E Bloomington 40.48N 88.96W
08/13/2026 M1.64 Inch McLean IL Public
One hour ranfall from 12:45pm -
1:45pm...with most of it falling within 30
minutes.
&&The office that day
Everything else NWS Lincoln, IL issued on the same UTC day.
| Issued | Product | Office | Counties | Lasted |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Aug 13, 12:32 AM CDT | Heat Advisory | ILX | Christian, Clark, Clay, Crawford, Cumberland, Effingham and 7 more | 4 days |
| Aug 13, 2:02 AM CDT | Flood Watch | ILX | Champaign, Clark, Coles, Cumberland, DeWitt, Douglas and 13 more | 36 hr |
| Aug 13, 2:29 AM CDT | Dense Fog Advisory | ILX | Champaign, DeWitt, Douglas, Edgar, Fulton, Knox and 11 more | 7 hr |
| Aug 13, 11:08 AM CDT | Special Weather Statement | ILX | Knox | 52 min |
| Aug 13, 12:00 PM CDT | Special Weather Statement | ILX | Fulton, Knox, Marshall, Peoria, Stark, Tazewell | 45 min |
| Aug 13, 12:09 PM CDT | Severe Thunderstorm Warning | ILX | Fulton, Logan, Mason, Peoria, Tazewell | 66 min |
| Aug 13, 12:31 PM CDT | Severe Thunderstorm Warning | ILX | McLean, Peoria, Tazewell, Woodford | 44 min |
| Aug 13, 12:50 PM CDT | Severe Thunderstorm Warning | ILX | DeWitt, Logan, McLean, Macon, Woodford | 55 min |
| Aug 13, 1:25 PM CDT | Severe Thunderstorm Warning | ILX | Champaign, DeWitt, McLean, Piatt, Vermilion | 65 min |
| Aug 13, 1:34 PM CDT | Areal Flood Advisory | ILX | McLean, Woodford | 2 hr |
| Aug 13, 1:56 PM CDT | Severe Thunderstorm Warning | ILX | Champaign, Douglas, Edgar, Piatt, Vermilion | 64 min |
| Aug 13, 2:10 PM CDT | Flash Flood Warning | ILX | Champaign, DeWitt, McLean, Piatt | 2 hr |
| Aug 13, 2:22 PM CDT | Severe Thunderstorm Warning | ILX | Vermilion | 39 min |
| Aug 13, 2:59 PM CDT | Severe Thunderstorm Warning | ILX | Edgar, Vermilion | 22 min |
| Aug 13, 5:10 PM CDT | Severe Thunderstorm Warning | ILX | Crawford | 37 min |
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.