Alert archive / Illinois / Flash Flood Warnings in 2026
Flash Flood Warning 80, NWS Lincoln, IL
NWS Lincoln, IL issued this flash flood warning at Aug 19, 2026, 11:32 PM CDT for Champaign County, Vermilion County, Illinois. It was in force for 3 hr. No storm report in the archive falls inside the area while it was in force.
The area
The outline as issued.
The facts
- Issued
- Aug 19, 2026, 11:32 PM CDT (04:32 UTC)
- Expired
- Aug 20, 2026, 2:45 AM CDT
- In force
- 3 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), 111 km from the middle of the area, began a volume at 04:34 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.
Did it verify
Not verified. The Iowa Environmental Mesonet's Cow found no qualifying storm report inside this flash flood warning while it was in force. That is not proof nothing happened: reports are thin where few people live.
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, 4.5 hours before the alert went out and 50 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
- 1062 J/kg
- Mixed-layer CIN
- -8 J/kg
- Mixed-layer LCL
- 948 m above ground
- 0-6 km bulk shear
- 39 kt
- 0-1 km storm-relative helicity
- 0 m²/s²
- 0-3 km storm-relative helicity
- 64 m²/s²
- Significant tornado parameter
- 0.0
- Supercell composite
- 0.0
The text
As transmitted.
339
WGUS53 KILX 200432
FFWILX
ILC019-183-200745-
/O.NEW.KILX.FF.W.0080.260820T0432Z-260820T0745Z/
/00000.0.ER.000000T0000Z.000000T0000Z.000000T0000Z.OO/
BULLETIN - EAS ACTIVATION REQUESTED
Flash Flood Warning
National Weather Service Lincoln IL
1132 PM CDT Wed Aug 19 2026
The National Weather Service in Lincoln has issued a
* Flash Flood Warning for...
Southern Champaign County in east central Illinois...
Southern Vermilion County in east central Illinois...
* Until 245 AM CDT.
* At 1132 PM CDT, Doppler radar indicated thunderstorms producing
heavy rain across the warned area. Between 1 and 3 inches of rain
have fallen. 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...
Champaign, Urbana, Savoy, Georgetown, Tolono, Westville, Tilton,
Catlin, Philo, Sidney, Homer, Ridge Farm, Fairmount, Sidell,
Pesotum, Sadorus, Broadlands, Allerton, Ivesdale and Willard
Airport.
This includes the following State Parks...
Harry Babe Woodyard State Natural Area.
This includes Interstate 57 between mile markers 218 and 233.
PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...
Turn around, don't drown when encountering flooded roads. Most flood
deaths occur in vehicles.
Be especially cautious at night when it is harder to recognize the
dangers of flooding.
&&
LAT...LON 4009 8846 4009 8794 4009 8754 3989 8754
3989 8794 3988 8846
FLASH FLOOD...RADAR INDICATED
$$
251 follow-up statement
773
WGUS73 KILX 200746
FFSILX
Flash Flood Statement
National Weather Service Lincoln IL
246 AM CDT Thu Aug 20 2026
ILC019-183-200756-
/O.EXP.KILX.FF.W.0080.000000T0000Z-260820T0745Z/
/00000.0.ER.000000T0000Z.000000T0000Z.000000T0000Z.OO/
Champaign IL-Vermilion IL-
246 AM CDT Thu Aug 20 2026
...FLASH FLOOD WARNING HAS EXPIRED FOR SOUTHERN CHAMPAIGN AND
SOUTHERN VERMILION COUNTIES...
The heavy rain has ended. Flooding is no longer expected to pose a
threat. Please continue to heed remaining road closures.
&&
LAT...LON 4009 8846 4009 8794 4009 8754 3989 8754
3989 8794 3988 8846
$$
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 Aug 19, 6:39 PM CDT, 4 hours 53 minutes earlier. Its key messages:
- Scattered showers and thunderstorms are expected through this evening, and into the overnight hours southeast of the IL river. Damaging winds, hail, heavy rains and localized flooding is in play today. A Flood Watch is posted until 1 am tonight from Fulton to Macon to Vermilion counties north where 1-2 inches and locally 2-4 inches of rain possible.
- A persistent northwest flow will keep temperatures and humidity levels in check the next several days, with seasonable highs in the upper 70s to mid 80s.
Area forecast discussion, Aug 19, 6:39 PM CDT, 4 hours 53 minutes before
Area Forecast Discussion National Weather Service Lincoln IL 639 PM CDT Wed Aug 19 2026 .KEY MESSAGES... - Scattered showers and thunderstorms are expected through this evening, and into the overnight hours southeast of the IL river. Damaging winds, hail, heavy rains and localized flooding is in play today. A Flood Watch is posted until 1 am tonight from Fulton to Macon to Vermilion counties north where 1-2 inches and locally 2-4 inches of rain possible. - A persistent northwest flow will keep temperatures and humidity levels in check the next several days, with seasonable highs in the upper 70s to mid 80s. && .DISCUSSION... Issued at 245 PM CDT Wed Aug 19 2026 We continued the Flood Watch through 1 am tonight from Fulton, Mason, Menard, Logan, Macon, Piatt, Champaign and Vermilion counties north. Some areas could see 1-2 inches of rain through early overnight in central IL with pockets of 2-4 inches possible. PWATs are in the 1.6-2 inch range over CWA (highest over southern CWA) and supports heavy rain threat next several hours. Parts of the flood watch area has already seen 5-10 inches of rain since last Sunday Aug 9th. Radar mosaic shows a few cells developing along a frontal trof from southern Fulton county into central parts of McLean and Ford county. Had a recent report and photo of a funnel clouds in Bloomington and Galva (southern Henry county). Moderately unstable tropical airmass over CWA with SB CAPES of 2-3k j/kg, and highest over northern/nw CWa. The 0-6 km bulk shear values are at moderate levels too from 35-45 kts over CWA and highest over southern/sw CWA. A cold front over northern/nw IL will push se thru CWA during tonight, while an associated short wave trof over western Iowa tracks se through IL during tonight. This will interact with the tropical air mass to likely produce scattered showers and thunderstorms. SPC Day1 outlook has marginal risk of severe storms over CWA for large hail and damaging winds while tornado threat is over southern IL south of CWA though a few more funnels may occur along weak trof over northern CWA through 00Z/7 pm. Quieter weather expected on Thursday and Thu night as cold front nearing the Ohio river by sunrise Thu pushes into central KY. Highs in the lower 80s Thu with dewpoints in the mid to upper 60s. A northern stream system approached IL on Friday bringing 20-40% chance of convection over northern cWA Fri afternoon and across central IL friday night especially Fri evening. SPC keeps severe risk west nw of IL on Fri with slight risk of Nebraska and northeast KS. Highs in the low to mid 80s Friday with dewpoints sneaking up into the upper 60s/lower 70s by Fri afternoon. Fairly quiet weather this weekend into early next week with just slight pops at times while most areas should stay dry. Another cold front to sweep through IL early Saturday and bringing in less humid air during this weekend. Lows Saturday night in the lower 60s and lows in upper 50s to around 60F Sunday night making for more comfortable nights ahead. Highs Sat 80-85 (warmest in southeast IL) and upper 70s/lower 80s Sunday/Monday. Still pretty not much weather expected into middle of next week with some moderation of temperatures and dewpoints to more summerlike readings. && .AVIATION /00Z TAFS THROUGH 00Z FRIDAY/... Issued at 632 PM CDT Wed Aug 19 2026 Scattered showers and thunderstorms are currently ongoing along a slowly sagging cold front. Thus, a TEMPO group for TSRA and MVFR conditions has been added to the regional TAF sites between 00z-06z. Beyond that timeframe, a return to VFR conditions is expected across the board. However, we will need to watch for patchy dense fog prior to 12z, which could temporarily lower visibility into the MVFR/IFR range. && .ILX WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES... Flood Watch until 1 AM CDT Thursday for ILZ027>031-036>038- 041>046-048-053. && KEY MESSAGES...07 DISCUSSION...07 AVIATION...MJA
Hazardous weather outlook, Aug 19, 2:52 PM CDT, 8 hours 40 minutes before
Hazardous Weather Outlook National Weather Service Lincoln IL 252 PM CDT Wed Aug 19 2026 ILZ027>031-036>038-040>057-061-201100- 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- 252 PM CDT Wed Aug 19 2026 This Hazardous Weather Outlook is for central Illinois, east central Illinois and west central Illinois. .DAY ONE...Late This Afternoon and Tonight. Scattered thunderstorms are expected to develop this afternoon and persist into the evening, producing locally heavy rain which could lead to flash flooding. A few of the storms may be strong or briefly severe, producing damaging winds and large hail. .DAYS TWO THROUGH SEVEN...Thursday through Tuesday. Additional thunderstorms are possible Friday afternoon and night. The risk of severe weather is low. Flooding will continue into the weekend for portions of the Illinois and Sangamon Rivers. .SPOTTER INFORMATION STATEMENT... Spotter activation may be required through this evening. Expected storm motion is to the east around 25 mph. ILZ062-063-066>068-071>073-201100- Cumberland-Clark-Effingham-Jasper-Crawford-Clay-Richland-Lawrence- 252 PM CDT Wed Aug 19 2026 This Hazardous Weather Outlook is for east central Illinois and southeast Illinois. .DAY ONE...Late This Afternoon and Tonight. Scattered thunderstorms are expected this evening, lingering past midnight. Isolated damaging wind gusts and locally heavy rain which could lead to flash flooding are the primary hazards. .DAYS TWO THROUGH SEVEN...Thursday through Tuesday. Flooding will linger on the Wabash River for several days. Otherwise, no hazardous weather is expected at this time. .SPOTTER INFORMATION STATEMENT... Spotter activation may be required this evening. Expected storm motion is to the east around 25 mph. Geelhart
In the hours before
Local storm report, Aug 19, 10:06 PM CDT, 1 hour 26 minutes before
Preliminary Local Storm Report
National Weather Service Lincoln IL
1006 PM CDT Wed Aug 19 2026
..TIME... ...EVENT... ...CITY LOCATION... ...LAT.LON...
..DATE... ....MAG.... ..COUNTY LOCATION..ST.. ...SOURCE....
..REMARKS..
1004 PM Rain Sparland 41.03N 89.44W
08/19/2026 M1.13 Inch Marshall IL Public
Via PWS.
&&Local storm report, Aug 19, 10:10 PM CDT, 1 hour 22 minutes before
Preliminary Local Storm Report
National Weather Service Lincoln IL
1010 PM CDT Wed Aug 19 2026
..TIME... ...EVENT... ...CITY LOCATION... ...LAT.LON...
..DATE... ....MAG.... ..COUNTY LOCATION..ST.. ...SOURCE....
..REMARKS..
1006 PM Rain 1 E Union 40.41N 89.77W
08/19/2026 M1.24 Inch Mason IL Public
Via PWS.
&&Local storm report, Aug 19, 10:13 PM CDT, 1 hour 19 minutes before
Preliminary Local Storm Report
National Weather Service Lincoln IL
1013 PM CDT Wed Aug 19 2026
..TIME... ...EVENT... ...CITY LOCATION... ...LAT.LON...
..DATE... ....MAG.... ..COUNTY LOCATION..ST.. ...SOURCE....
..REMARKS..
1013 PM Rain 2 ESE Marietta 40.49N 90.35W
08/19/2026 M1.59 Inch Fulton IL Public
Via PWS.
&&Local storm report, Aug 19, 11:06 PM CDT, 26 minutes before
Preliminary Local Storm Report
National Weather Service Lincoln IL
1106 PM CDT Wed Aug 19 2026
..TIME... ...EVENT... ...CITY LOCATION... ...LAT.LON...
..DATE... ....MAG.... ..COUNTY LOCATION..ST.. ...SOURCE....
..REMARKS..
1057 PM Flood 1 ENE Champaign 40.12N 88.25W
08/19/2026 Champaign IL Broadcast Media
Roads are flooded over the curbs across the
sidewalks. Looks to be coming up to the
bottom of the doors of old theater on W
Church St.
&&
RACLocal storm report, Aug 19, 11:13 PM CDT, 19 minutes before
Preliminary Local Storm Report
National Weather Service Lincoln IL
1113 PM CDT Wed Aug 19 2026
..TIME... ...EVENT... ...CITY LOCATION... ...LAT.LON...
..DATE... ....MAG.... ..COUNTY LOCATION..ST.. ...SOURCE....
..REMARKS..
1109 PM Flood 3 ESE Urbana 40.08N 88.15W
08/19/2026 Champaign IL Broadcast Media
6+ inches of standing water on E Windsor Rd,
with it overflowing into peoples yard.
&&
RACLocal storm report, Aug 19, 11:32 PM CDT, 0 minutes before
Preliminary Local Storm Report
National Weather Service Lincoln IL
1132 PM CDT Wed Aug 19 2026
..TIME... ...EVENT... ...CITY LOCATION... ...LAT.LON...
..DATE... ....MAG.... ..COUNTY LOCATION..ST.. ...SOURCE....
..REMARKS..
1100 PM Rain Champaign 40.12N 88.26W
08/19/2026 M2.68 Inch Champaign IL Cocorahs
Rainfall total in last 75 minutes.
&&
RACThe office that day
Everything else NWS Lincoln, IL issued on the same UTC day.
| Issued | Product | Office | Counties | Lasted |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Aug 19, 7:13 PM CDT | Flash Flood Warning | ILX | Marshall, Stark | 2 hr |
| Aug 19, 8:27 PM CDT | Special Weather Statement | ILX | Logan | 33 min |
| Aug 19, 9:05 PM CDT | Special Weather Statement | ILX | DeWitt | 40 min |
| Aug 19, 9:30 PM CDT | Flash Flood Warning | ILX | Champaign, DeWitt, Piatt | 3 hr |
| Aug 19, 10:44 PM CDT | Flash Flood Warning | ILX | Champaign | 3 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; the sounding from the Mesonet's radiosonde archive; radar from the NEXRAD Level II archive.