Alert archive / Illinois / Flash Flood Warnings in 2026
Flash Flood Warning 71, NWS Lincoln, IL
NWS Lincoln, IL issued this flash flood warning at Aug 15, 2026, 8:04 AM CDT for McLean County, Illinois. It was in force for 5 hr. 6 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 15, 2026, 8:04 AM CDT (13:04 UTC)
- Expired
- Aug 15, 2026, 12:40 PM CDT
- In force
- 5 hr
- Issued by
- NWS Lincoln, IL
- Area
- Storm-based polygon
- Flood severity
- None
County McLean County, IL
The radar
The Lincoln radar (KILX), 42 km from the middle of the area, began a volume at 13:04 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 15, 9:00 AM CDT | RAIN 6.57 | 2 Wsw Central Illinois, IL | Cocorahs station IL-MCL-48 Bloomington 1.5 ESE. |
| Aug 15, 9:30 AM CDT | RAIN 5.42 | 3 Sw Bloomington, IL | Cocorahs station IL-MCL-50 Bloomington 3.8 SW. |
| Aug 15, 10:13 AM CDT | RAIN 3.3 | 1 Ene Normal, IL | Total rainfall as of 10 am. |
| Aug 15, 11:00 AM CDT | RAIN 4.79 | 1 Nnw Bloomington, IL | CO-OP Observer station BMGI2 Bloomington. |
| Aug 15, 11:51 AM CDT | FLASH FLOOD | 3 Ese Central Illinois, IL | Water over the road at Kickapoo Creek on N 2100 East Road, east-southeast of Bloomington. |
| Aug 15, 11:56 AM CDT | RAIN 4.55 | Central Illinois Airpor, IL | AWOS station KBMI Bloomington Arpt. |
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 227 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 text
As transmitted.
389
WGUS53 KILX 151304
FFWILX
ILC113-151800-
/O.NEW.KILX.FF.W.0071.260815T1304Z-260815T1800Z/
/00000.0.ER.000000T0000Z.000000T0000Z.000000T0000Z.OO/
BULLETIN - EAS ACTIVATION REQUESTED
Flash Flood Warning
National Weather Service Lincoln IL
804 AM CDT Sat Aug 15 2026
The National Weather Service in Lincoln has issued a
* Flash Flood Warning for...
Southwestern McLean County in central Illinois...
* Until 100 PM CDT.
* At 803 AM CDT, Doppler radar and automated rain gauges indicated
between 4 and 7 inches of rain have fallen. Flash flooding is
already occurring.
HAZARD...Flash flooding caused by thunderstorms.
SOURCE...Radar and automated gauges.
IMPACT...Flash flooding of small creeks and streams, urban
areas, highways, streets and underpasses as well as
other poor drainage and low-lying areas.
Specifically, the Little Kickapoo Creek continues to
spill well outside its banks south of Bloomington near
Heyworth.
* Some locations that will experience flash flooding include...
Bloomington, Normal, Le Roy, Heyworth, Danvers, Downs, McLean,
Stanford, Ellsworth, Central Illinois Regional Airport, Shirley,
Holder and Moraine View State Park.
This includes the following State Parks...
Moraine View State Park.
This includes the following highways...
Interstate 39 between mile markers 0 and 1.
Interstate 74 between mile markers 123 and 155.
Interstate 55 between mile markers 142 and 167.
PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...
Turn around, don't drown when encountering flooded roads. Most flood
deaths occur in vehicles.
Move to higher ground now. Act quickly to protect your life.
Be aware of your surroundings and do not drive on flooded roads.
Please report observed flooding to local emergency services or law
enforcement and request they pass this information to the National
Weather Service when you can do so safely.
&&
LAT...LON 4057 8927 4051 8864 4028 8865 4028 8926
FLASH FLOOD...RADAR AND GAUGE INDICATED
$$
MJA1 follow-up statement
409 WGUS73 KILX 151740 RRA FFSILX Flash Flood Statement National Weather Service Lincoln IL 1240 PM CDT Sat Aug 15 2026 ILC113-151750- /O.CAN.KILX.FF.W.0071.000000T0000Z-260815T1800Z/ /00000.0.ER.000000T0000Z.000000T0000Z.000000T0000Z.OO/ McLean IL- 1240 PM CDT Sat Aug 15 2026 ...FLASH FLOOD WARNING IS CANCELLED FOR SOUTHWESTERN MCLEAN COUNTY... The heavy rain has ended, but flooding continues in low-lying areas. Please continue to heed remaining road closures. && LAT...LON 4057 8927 4051 8864 4028 8865 4028 8926 $$ NMA
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 Aug 15, 6:18 AM CDT, 1 hour 46 minutes earlier. Its key messages:
- There is flash flooding ongoing across portions of central Illinois this morning, where thunderstorms track over areas that have already seen 4-6 inches of rain since Thursday. Areas north of a Havana to Bloomington line are most at risk.
- Storms have the potential to produce damaging winds today and tomorrow. SPC has a marginal (level 1 of 5) risk of severe weather for the weekend.
- The heat and humidity remain a concern for the weekend, with the hottest conditions in the southern half of the state.
Area forecast discussion, Aug 15, 6:18 AM CDT, 1 hour 46 minutes before
Area Forecast Discussion National Weather Service Lincoln IL 618 AM CDT Sat Aug 15 2026 .KEY MESSAGES... - There is flash flooding ongoing across portions of central Illinois this morning, where thunderstorms track over areas that have already seen 4-6 inches of rain since Thursday. Areas north of a Havana to Bloomington line are most at risk. - Storms have the potential to produce damaging winds today and tomorrow. SPC has a marginal (level 1 of 5) risk of severe weather for the weekend. - The heat and humidity remain a concern for the weekend, with the hottest conditions in the southern half of the state. && .DISCUSSION... Issued at 220 AM CDT Sat Aug 15 2026 Tonight, storms are moving across central IL. There is a low risk (but non-zero) for damaging winds within these storms, but the main concern is the flash flooding risk. WPC has areas near and north of I-72 in a moderate risk (level 3 of 4) for excessive rainfall for the overnight hours. The 00z sounding shows the environment having PWATs of 2.2-2.4 inches. Over the last few days, this area has gotten 3-6 inches of rain, with some locally higher amounts. The storms passing through tonight are expected to drop another 2-5 inches with the LPMM suggesting some localized pockets of up to 10 inches. Flash flood guidance seems a bit generous (too high). If the pockets of higher rain set up over where the ground is already extremely saturated, flash flooding is likely. For the remainder of the day after this morning round of convection exits about 15-16z, there is a marginal risk for severe weather for additional activity that will move through. It will be very similar to what has happened over the last few days. The next round of MCS activity will move into central IL by late evening and will continue into the overnight hours. The main concern will be damaging winds and the heavy rain potential. There is another marginal risk for severe weather again tomorrow for areas south of a Schuyler to McLean County line with a similar environment in place as previous days. The forecast will continue to evolve as we get newer runs of the models. Temperatures remain hot and humid. The heat advisory for south of I- 70 is valid through Sunday. Heat indices of 100-110 degrees are forecast through Sunday, but how far north these heat indices get will depend solely on the convection location. Like yesterday for example, the convection lingered further south longer than forecast, so heat indices struggled to hit triple digits. Next week may bring us a brief break in the active weather and the heat briefly. A high pressure area will set up over the Upper Mississippi Valley / Great Lakes region by Monday, behind a cold front that will move through central IL during the day. Temperatures starting Monday into much of the next week will be mainly in the upper 70s to 80s for highs and 60s to low 70s for lows. && .AVIATION /12Z TAFS THROUGH 12Z SUNDAY/... Issued at 618 AM CDT Sat Aug 15 2026 Thunderstorms are moving across central Illinois and are expected to continue into mid morning before exiting east of the area. MVFR/VFR ceilings currently in place. Ceilings may bounce around if a stronger shower/storm moves through. Everyone should be VFR by early afternoon. Winds will become more southwesterly as the day goes on. Another round of convection is expected overnight, but timing and location are uncertain as of the 12z TAF period. && .ILX WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES... Flood Watch until 10 AM CDT this morning for ILZ027>031- 036>038-040-041-043>046-055-057. Heat Advisory until 8 PM CDT Sunday for ILZ066>068-071>073. && KEY MESSAGES...Copple DISCUSSION...Copple AVIATION...Copple
Hazardous weather outlook, Aug 14, 3:00 PM CDT, 17 hours 4 minutes before
Hazardous Weather Outlook National Weather Service Lincoln IL 300 PM CDT Fri Aug 14 2026 ILZ027>031-036>038-040>057-061>063-066>068-071>073-151100- 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- 300 PM CDT Fri Aug 14 2026 This Hazardous Weather Outlook is for central Illinois, east central Illinois, southeast Illinois and west central Illinois. .DAY ONE...Tonight. Widespread thunderstorm activity is likely tonight, mainly north of I-72. Locally strong to severe storms and flash flooding are possible. .DAYS TWO THROUGH SEVEN...Saturday through Thursday. Hot and humid conditions will peak over the area this weekend. Peak afternoon heat indices will range from 103 to 112 Saturday, and 100 to 105 Sunday. Daily chances for thunderstorms exist through the weekend, mainly north of I-70 for Saturday. Some of these storms could be severe and produce heavy rain. .SPOTTER INFORMATION STATEMENT... Spotter activation may be needed after midnight. 37
In the hours before
Local storm report, Aug 15, 7:06 AM CDT, 58 minutes before
Preliminary Local Storm Report
National Weather Service Lincoln IL
706 AM CDT Sat Aug 15 2026
..TIME... ...EVENT... ...CITY LOCATION... ...LAT.LON...
..DATE... ....MAG.... ..COUNTY LOCATION..ST.. ...SOURCE....
..REMARKS..
0700 AM Flash Flood 1 S Thomasboro 40.23N 88.19W
08/15/2026 Champaign IL Broadcast Media
Report of a home in South Thomasboro
beginning to take on water on the first
floor from viewer relayed by broadcast
media.
&&
RACLocal storm report, Aug 15, 7:12 AM CDT, 52 minutes before
Preliminary Local Storm Report
National Weather Service Lincoln IL
712 AM CDT Sat Aug 15 2026
..TIME... ...EVENT... ...CITY LOCATION... ...LAT.LON...
..DATE... ....MAG.... ..COUNTY LOCATION..ST.. ...SOURCE....
..REMARKS..
0700 AM Rain 2 NNW Homer 40.06N 87.96W
08/15/2026 M1.10 Inch Champaign IL Trained Spotter
24-hour rainfall at 7:00 a.m. near Homer 2.0
N with moderate to heavy rain at ob time.
&&
RACLocal storm report, Aug 15, 7:14 AM CDT, 50 minutes before
Preliminary Local Storm Report
National Weather Service Lincoln IL
714 AM CDT Sat Aug 15 2026
..TIME... ...EVENT... ...CITY LOCATION... ...LAT.LON...
..DATE... ....MAG.... ..COUNTY LOCATION..ST.. ...SOURCE....
..REMARKS..
0713 AM Rain 4 SSW Alta 40.77N 89.67W
08/15/2026 M1.92 Inch Peoria IL NWS Employee
Overnight rainfall total with rain
continuing at time of observation.
&&
RACLocal storm report, Aug 15, 7:16 AM CDT, 48 minutes before
Preliminary Local Storm Report
National Weather Service Lincoln IL
716 AM CDT Sat Aug 15 2026
..TIME... ...EVENT... ...CITY LOCATION... ...LAT.LON...
..DATE... ....MAG.... ..COUNTY LOCATION..ST.. ...SOURCE....
..REMARKS..
0710 AM Rain 2 NW Central Illinois A 40.50N 88.93W
08/15/2026 M5.10 Inch McLean IL NWS Employee
Rainfall total from 1230am to 710am with
additional rain falling at time of
observation.
&&
RACLocal storm report, Aug 15, 7:21 AM CDT, 43 minutes before
Preliminary Local Storm Report
National Weather Service Lincoln IL
721 AM CDT Sat Aug 15 2026
..TIME... ...EVENT... ...CITY LOCATION... ...LAT.LON...
..DATE... ....MAG.... ..COUNTY LOCATION..ST.. ...SOURCE....
..REMARKS..
0700 AM Rain Roanoke 40.80N 89.19W
08/15/2026 M1.10 Inch Woodford IL CO-OP Observer
24 hour rainfall report.
&&
RACLocal storm report, Aug 15, 7:26 AM CDT, 38 minutes before
Preliminary Local Storm Report...Summary
National Weather Service Lincoln IL
726 AM CDT Sat Aug 15 2026
..TIME... ...EVENT... ...CITY LOCATION... ...LAT.LON...
..DATE... ....MAG.... ..COUNTY LOCATION..ST.. ...SOURCE....
..REMARKS..
0135 AM Flash Flood Bloomington 40.48N 88.99W
08/15/2026 McLean IL Public
Several flooded roads reported on Douglas
Street and viaducts underwater, relayed by
broadcast media from viewer.
0135 AM Flash Flood 1 W Normal 40.51N 89.00W
08/15/2026 McLean IL Public
Adelaide and Bryan streets in Bloomington
are impassible and underwater, relayed by
broadcast media from viewer.
0144 AM Flash Flood Tremont 40.53N 89.49W
08/15/2026 Tazewell IL Public
6 inches of water flowing over E Pearl
Street.
0209 AM Flash Flood 3 WNW Mackinaw 40.56N 89.40W
08/15/2026 Tazewell IL Public
Allentown Road about a mile west of
Allentown is flooded over.
0224 AM Flash Flood 2 ESE Bloomington 40.47N 88.96W
08/15/2026 McLean IL 911 Call Center
Vehicle stalled in flood waters, road is
impassable at Oakland Ave/Four Seasons Rd
and Prospect Rd / Grandview Dr.
0244 AM Flash Flood 1 ENE Bloomington 40.49N 88.97W
08/15/2026 McLean IL 911 Call Center
Vehicle stalled in floodwater, road is
impassable.
0252 AM Flash Flood Minier 40.43N 89.31W
08/15/2026 Tazewell IL Broadcast Media
Water entering basement egress window at a
home in Minier.
0318 AM Flash Flood Fisher 40.32N 88.35W
08/15/2026 Champaign IL Broadcast Media
Reports of basements flooding in Fisher.
0446 AM Rain 1 S Danville 40.13N 87.63W
08/15/2026 M1.50 Inch Vermilion IL Emergency Mngr
1.50 inches of rainfall measured in last
30-40 minutes in Danville.
0506 AM Rain Brocton 39.72N 87.93W
08/15/2026 M4.10 Inch Edgar IL Trained Spotter
Total rainfall from overnight storms, rain
continuing at time of report.
0519 AM Flash Flood Fisher 40.32N 88.35W
08/15/2026 Champaign IL Broadcast Media
Street flooding with standing water on
Sangamon St and 1st Street in Fisher.
0522 AM Rain Fisher 40.32N 88.35W
08/15/2026 M6.50 Inch Champaign IL Trained Spotter
Total rainfall since approximately 10pm with
rain continuing at time of report.
0530 AM Rain Knoxville 40.91N 90.29W
08/15/2026 M1.25 Inch Knox IL Trained Spotter
Rainfall total since midnight with rain
continuing at time of report.
0536 AM Flash Flood Rantoul 40.31N 88.16W
08/15/2026 Champaign IL Broadcast Media
Route 136 viaduct in Rantoul is full of
water and the road is closed.
0545 AM Flash Flood Rantoul 40.30N 88.16W
08/15/2026 Champaign IL Broadcast Media
Many neighborhood roads are flooded over
curbs across Rantoul.
0609 AM Flash Flood 2 NNE Urbana 40.14N 88.19W
08/15/2026 Champaign IL Public
4 of standing water in their yard reported
by viewer relayed by broadcast media.
0610 AM Flash Flood Bloomington 40.48N 89.00W
08/15/2026 McLean IL 911 Call Center
Most roadways being reported with standing
water.
0614 AM Rain 2 SE Collison 40.21N 87.78W
08/15/2026 M3.25 Inch Vermilion IL Cocorahs
Rainfall total with additional rain falling
at time of ob.
0700 AM Flash Flood 1 S Thomasboro 40.23N 88.19W
08/15/2026 Champaign IL Broadcast Media
Report of a home in South Thomasboro
beginning to take on water on the first
floor from viewer relayed by broadcast
media.
0700 AM Rain Roanoke 40.80N 89.19W
08/15/2026 M1.10 Inch Woodford IL CO-OP Observer
24 hour rainfall report.
0700 AM Rain 2 NNW Homer 40.06N 87.96W
08/15/2026 M1.10 Inch Champaign IL Trained Spotter
24-hour rainfall at 7:00 a.m. near Homer 2.0
N with moderate to heavy rain at ob time.
0700 AM Rain 4 NNW Hopedale 40.47N 89.45W
08/15/2026 M5.75 Inch Tazewell IL NWS Employee
Rainfall total since approximately 11pm with
more rain falling at time of report.
0704 AM Rain 1 WSW Neoga 39.32N 88.46W
08/15/2026 M1.10 Inch Cumberland IL CO-OP Observer
24 hour rainfall report.
0710 AM Rain 2 NW Central Illinois A 40.50N 88.93W
08/15/2026 M5.10 Inch McLean IL NWS Employee
Rainfall total from 1230am to 710am with
additional rain falling at time of
observation.
0713 AM Rain 4 SSW Alta 40.77N 89.67W
08/15/2026 M1.92 Inch Peoria IL NWS Employee
Overnight rainfall total with rain
continuing at time of observation.
&&The office that day
Everything else NWS Lincoln, IL issued on the same UTC day.
| Issued | Product | Office | Counties | Lasted |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Aug 14, 11:56 PM CDT | Flash Flood Warning | ILX | Fulton, Knox, Mason, Peoria, Tazewell, Woodford | 7 hr |
| Aug 15, 1:09 AM CDT | Flash Flood Warning | ILX | McLean | 6 hr |
| Aug 15, 1:23 AM CDT | Severe Thunderstorm Warning | ILX | Fulton, Mason | 67 min |
| Aug 15, 1:51 AM CDT | Severe Thunderstorm Warning | ILX | Fulton | 24 min |
| Aug 15, 2:19 AM CDT | Flash Flood Warning | ILX | McLean | 5 hr |
| Aug 15, 2:23 AM CDT | Severe Thunderstorm Warning | ILX | Peoria, Tazewell | 38 min |
| Aug 15, 2:36 AM CDT | Flash Flood Warning | ILX | McLean | 6 hr |
| Aug 15, 3:23 AM CDT | Flash Flood Warning | ILX | Champaign | 5 hr |
| Aug 15, 3:43 AM CDT | Severe Thunderstorm Warning | ILX | Cass, Fulton, Mason, Menard, Morgan, Schuyler and 1 more | 62 min |
| Aug 15, 3:54 AM CDT | Flash Flood Warning | ILX | Vermilion | 4 hr |
| Aug 15, 4:29 AM CDT | Special Weather Statement | ILX | Logan, Menard, Sangamon | 31 min |
| Aug 15, 5:33 AM CDT | Areal Flood Advisory | ILX | Morgan | 3 hr |
| Aug 15, 5:48 AM CDT | Flash Flood Warning | ILX | Champaign, Vermilion | 8 hr |
| Aug 15, 6:24 AM CDT | Special Weather Statement | ILX | Champaign, Piatt, Vermilion | 36 min |
| Aug 15, 6:37 AM CDT | Areal Flood Warning | ILX | Fulton, Knox, Mason, Peoria, Tazewell, Woodford | 27 hr |
| Aug 15, 7:33 AM CDT | Areal Flood Warning | ILX | McLean | 65 min |
| Aug 15, 7:40 AM CDT | Areal Flood Warning | ILX | McLean | 26 hr |
| Aug 15, 8:38 AM CDT | Flash Flood Warning | ILX | McLean | 4 hr |
| Aug 15, 10:11 AM CDT | River Flood Warning | ILX | Cass, Fulton, Mason | 13 days |
| Aug 15, 10:12 AM CDT | River Flood Warning | ILX | Brown, Cass, Morgan, Schuyler | 14 days |
| Aug 15, 10:19 AM CDT | River Flood Warning | ILX | Piatt | 7 days |
| Aug 15, 12:40 PM CDT | Areal Flood Warning | ILX | McLean | 21 hr |
| Aug 15, 1:40 PM CDT | Areal Flood Warning | ILX | Champaign, Vermilion | 46 hr |
| Aug 15, 1:46 PM CDT | River Flood Warning | ILX | McLean, Tazewell, Woodford | 20 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; radar from the NEXRAD Level II archive.