Alert archive / Illinois / River Flood Warnings in 2026
River Flood Warning 3, NWS Lincoln, IL
NWS Lincoln, IL issued this river flood warning at Apr 3, 2026, 11:42 PM CDT for McLean County, Tazewell County, Woodford County, Illinois. It took effect at Apr 4, 2026, 9:24 AM CDT. It was in force for 2 hr.
The area
The outline as issued.
The facts
- Issued
- Apr 3, 2026, 11:42 PM CDT (04:42 UTC)
- In effect from
- Apr 4, 2026, 9:24 AM CDT
- Expired
- Apr 4, 2026, 11:51 AM CDT
- In force
- 2 hr
- Issued by
- NWS Lincoln, IL
- Area
- Storm-based polygon
- Flood severity
- Minor
Counties McLean County, IL, Tazewell County, IL, Woodford County, IL
The radar
The Lincoln radar (KILX), 54 km from the middle of the area, began a volume at 04:42 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.
The river
Written for the forecast point Mackinaw River near Congerville (CNGI2).
- Action stage
- 10 ft
- Minor stage
- 13 ft
- Moderate stage
- 14 ft
- Major stage
- 20 ft
This gauge today: stage, forecast and historic crests
Stage from the USGS instantaneous record for site 05567500, one reading an hour, from a day before the product to a day after it ended. Flood stages are today's.
The text
As transmitted.
477
WGUS43 KILX 040442
FLWILX
BULLETIN - IMMEDIATE BROADCAST REQUESTED
Flood Warning
National Weather Service Lincoln IL
1142 PM CDT Fri Apr 3 2026
...The National Weather Service in Lincoln IL has issued a Flood
Warning for the following rivers in Illinois...
Mackinaw River near Congerville affecting McLean, Tazewell and
Woodford Counties.
.The following forecasts are based on observed precipitation, soil
moisture conditions, and forecast precipitation.
PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...
Persons with interests along this river need to remain aware of the
latest forecasts and associated flood risk for their area. Stay
tuned for further updates on this flooding situation.
Additional information is available at www.weather.gov.
&&
ILC113-179-203-042045-
/O.NEW.KILX.FL.W.0003.260404T1424Z-260405T1339Z/
/CNGI2.1.ER.260404T1424Z.260405T0000Z.260405T0738Z.NO/
1142 PM CDT Fri Apr 3 2026
...FLOOD WARNING IN EFFECT FROM SATURDAY MORNING TO SUNDAY MORNING...
* WHAT...Minor flooding is forecast.
* WHERE...Mackinaw River near Congerville.
* WHEN...From Saturday morning to Sunday morning.
* IMPACTS...At 13.0 feet, Widespread agricultural flooding occurs.
* ADDITIONAL DETAILS...
- At 10:45 PM CDT Friday the stage was 9.1 feet.
- Forecast...The river is expected to rise above flood stage
late tomorrow morning to a crest of 13.8 feet tomorrow
evening. It will then fall below flood stage early Sunday
morning.
- Flood stage is 13.0 feet.
- http://www.weather.gov/safety/flood
&&
Fld Observed Forecasts (1 am CDT)
Location Stg Stg Day/Time Sun Mon Tue
Mackinaw River
Congerville 13.0 9.1 Fri 10 pm CD 13.3 8.6 6.2
&&
LAT...LON 4070 8906 4062 8907 4061 8920 4051 8933
4056 8939 4068 8925
$$
371 follow-up statement
135
WGUS83 KILX 041651
FLSILX
Flood Statement
National Weather Service Lincoln IL
1151 AM CDT Sat Apr 4 2026
...The Flood Warning is cancelled for the following rivers in
Illinois...
Mackinaw River near Congerville affecting Woodford, Tazewell and
McLean Counties.
.The following forecasts are based on observed precipitation, soil
moisture conditions, and forecast precipitation.
ILC113-179-203-041800-
/O.CAN.KILX.FL.W.0003.000000T0000Z-260404T1651Z/
/CNGI2.1.ER.000000T0000Z.000000T0000Z.000000T0000Z.NO/
1151 AM CDT Sat Apr 4 2026
...FLOOD WARNING IS CANCELLED...
The Flood Warning is cancelled for
the Mackinaw River near Congerville.
* ADDITIONAL DETAILS...
- At 10:45 AM CDT Saturday the stage was 12.2 feet.
- Forecast...The river is expected to rise to a crest of 12.4
feet this afternoon.
- http://www.weather.gov/safety/flood
&&
Fld Observed Forecasts (1 pm CDT)
Location Stg Stg Day/Time Sun Mon Tue
Mackinaw River
Congerville 13.0 12.2 Sat 10 am CD 9.3 6.5 5.4
&&
LAT...LON 4070 8906 4062 8907 4061 8920 4051 8933
4056 8939 4068 8925
$$
MJAWhat forecasters said that day
The local office's own words before this river 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 river flood warning went out at Apr 3, 6:19 PM CDT, 5 hours 23 minutes earlier. Its key messages:
- Two periods of severe weather are expected through tonight. Of those, the first one (2-10 pm) would be most likely to produce all severe weather hazards, primarily west of I-55. The second one, after midnight, will mainly see a localized damaging wind threat.
- A trend for cooler weather is on tap for the second half of the weekend, into Tuesday. There is concern for a hard freeze in parts of central Illinois Monday night, mainly focused on areas near and north of I-74.
Area forecast discussion, Apr 3, 6:19 PM CDT, 5 hours 23 minutes before
Area Forecast Discussion National Weather Service Lincoln IL 619 PM CDT Fri Apr 3 2026 .KEY MESSAGES... - Two periods of severe weather are expected through tonight. Of those, the first one (2-10 pm) would be most likely to produce all severe weather hazards, primarily west of I-55. The second one, after midnight, will mainly see a localized damaging wind threat. - A trend for cooler weather is on tap for the second half of the weekend, into Tuesday. There is concern for a hard freeze in parts of central Illinois Monday night, mainly focused on areas near and north of I-74. && .DISCUSSION... Issued at 137 PM CDT Fri Apr 3 2026 Through Saturday: A warm front was located roughly along I-72/US-36 early this afternoon, with temperatures south of it in the lower 70s and dew points in the mid 60s. Recent satellite imagery shows this particular region, while still having a fair amount of clouds, has had some breaks that have helped boost mixed layer CAPE's to around 1000 J/kg. Noontime run of the WoFS model suggests the boundary lifting about as far north as Peoria by mid afternoon. WoFS output, as well as recent runs of the HRRR and the 12z RRFS, are all focusing on convective initiation in the 2-3 pm time frame. This seems on track, as visible satellite is showing some towering cumulus centered along I-72, and some showers have been popping recently in east central Illinois. While severe weather is not a slam dunk this afternoon and evening, there are enough components that all hazards remain in play. However, most of this focus will be west of I-55, and especially toward the Illinois River valley. The first batch of storms will likely be out of our forecast area by late evening, but the line of storms associated with the cold front won't be too far behind. Main focus for that band will be in the midnight to 5 am time frame, with the main concern being with localized 50-60 mph wind gusts. After that, rain tapers from west to east on Saturday as the front pushes into Indiana by midday. Sunday through Tuesday: Much of this period will be fairly tranquil, as high pressure settles into the mid Mississippi Valley. Main concern in this time frame is with the cooler temperatures, and potential for a hard freeze. Latest LREF has about a 40% chance of a hard freeze (lows 28F or colder) Monday night, roughly along and north of I-74. Wednesday through Friday: A significant warming trend takes place, as the upper flow becomes more zonal, and high temperatures return to the 60s and 70s. Main feature of note will be a strong shortwave tracking across the northern states Wednesday-Thursday, with a trailing cold front arriving around Thursday. As it starts to parallel the upper flow, an extended chance of rain begins to set up. && .AVIATION /00Z TAFS THROUGH 00Z SUNDAY/... Issued at 618 PM CDT Fri Apr 3 2026 Cluster of strong/severe storms is moving NE and will be impacting KPIA before 00z, and likely stay just west of KBMI. Wind gusts near 50 knots possible with the strongest storms. Main threat for more widespread thunder activity will mainly be in the 06-10z time frame from west to east, as a cold front moves through the area. Outside of the storms, there will be a period of IFR or low MVFR ceilings behind the front, mainly from about 10-18z. Steady improvement is expected around midday. Expect southerly winds to become west behind the front late tonight, with gusts 20-25 knots persisting through much of Saturday. && .ILX WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES... None. && KEY MESSAGES...Geelhart DISCUSSION...Geelhart AVIATION...Geelhart
Hazardous weather outlook, Apr 3, 1:40 PM CDT, 10 hours 2 minutes before
Hazardous Weather Outlook National Weather Service Lincoln IL 140 PM CDT Fri Apr 3 2026 ILZ027>031-036>038-040>053-041845- Knox-Stark-Peoria-Marshall-Woodford-Fulton-Tazewell-McLean-Schuyler- Mason-Logan-De Witt-Piatt-Champaign-Vermilion-Cass-Menard-Scott- Morgan-Sangamon-Christian-Macon- 140 PM CDT Fri Apr 3 2026 This Hazardous Weather Outlook is for central Illinois, east central Illinois and west central Illinois. .DAY ONE...This afternoon and tonight. Periods of thunderstorms are expected through tonight. Some of these storms may be strong to severe, especially during the afternoon and early evening and again late evening and overnight. A few tornadoes are possible during the afternoon and evening. Damaging wind gusts over 60 mph and large hail over 1 inch diameter are possible with the strongest storms. Locally heavy rainfall could also produce areas of flooding in urban and poor drainage areas as well as near rivers. .DAYS TWO THROUGH SEVEN...Saturday through Thursday. A few thunderstorms may continue into Saturday morning. Minor flooding is expected along the Illinois River, beginning early next week. Freezing temperatures are possible Monday night, and may cause damage to newly emerged tender vegetation. .SPOTTER INFORMATION STATEMENT... Spotter activation may be needed from 2 to 7 pm. Expected storm motion is toward the northeast around 35 mph. ILZ054>057-061>063-066>068-071>073-041845- Moultrie-Douglas-Coles-Edgar-Shelby-Cumberland-Clark-Effingham- Jasper-Crawford-Clay-Richland-Lawrence- 140 PM CDT Fri Apr 3 2026 This Hazardous Weather Outlook is for central Illinois, east central Illinois and southeast Illinois. .DAY ONE...This afternoon and tonight. Periods of thunderstorms are expected through tonight. Some of these storms may be strong to severe. Damaging wind gusts over 60 mph and large hail over 1 inch diameter are possible with the strongest storms. Locally heavy rainfall could also produce areas of flooding in urban and poor drainage areas as well as near rivers. .DAYS TWO THROUGH SEVEN...Saturday through Thursday. A few thunderstorms may continue into Saturday morning. Minor flooding is possible along the Wabash River and may develop along the Little Wabash River this weekend, continuing into next week. Freezing temperatures are possible Monday night, and may cause damage to newly emerged tender vegetation. .SPOTTER INFORMATION STATEMENT... Spotter activation is not anticipated for tonight. MJA
In the hours before
Local storm report, Apr 3, 8:58 PM CDT, 2 hours 44 minutes before
Preliminary Local Storm Report
National Weather Service Lincoln IL
858 PM CDT Fri Apr 3 2026
..TIME... ...EVENT... ...CITY LOCATION... ...LAT.LON...
..DATE... ....MAG.... ..COUNTY LOCATION..ST.. ...SOURCE....
..REMARKS..
0852 PM Flood 3 SE Eureka 40.69N 89.24W
04/03/2026 Woodford IL Emergency Mngr
water over the roadway.
&&Local storm report, Apr 3, 9:07 PM CDT, 2 hours 35 minutes before
Preliminary Local Storm Report
National Weather Service Lincoln IL
907 PM CDT Fri Apr 3 2026
..TIME... ...EVENT... ...CITY LOCATION... ...LAT.LON...
..DATE... ....MAG.... ..COUNTY LOCATION..ST.. ...SOURCE....
..REMARKS..
0906 PM Rain Congerville 40.62N 89.20W
04/03/2026 M2.81 Inch Woodford IL Emergency Mngr
&&Local storm report, Apr 3, 9:10 PM CDT, 2 hours 32 minutes before
Preliminary Local Storm Report
National Weather Service Lincoln IL
910 PM CDT Fri Apr 3 2026
..TIME... ...EVENT... ...CITY LOCATION... ...LAT.LON...
..DATE... ....MAG.... ..COUNTY LOCATION..ST.. ...SOURCE....
..REMARKS..
0906 PM Flood 2 NW Secor 40.76N 89.16W
04/03/2026 Woodford IL Public
4 inches of water on the roadway.
&&Local storm report, Apr 3, 9:12 PM CDT, 2 hours 30 minutes before
Preliminary Local Storm Report
National Weather Service Lincoln IL
912 PM CDT Fri Apr 3 2026
..TIME... ...EVENT... ...CITY LOCATION... ...LAT.LON...
..DATE... ....MAG.... ..COUNTY LOCATION..ST.. ...SOURCE....
..REMARKS..
0901 PM Flood Eureka 40.72N 89.28W
04/03/2026 Woodford IL Emergency Mngr
4 to 5 inches of water on the road in front
of Kirby foods.
&&Local storm report, Apr 3, 9:25 PM CDT, 2 hours 17 minutes before
Preliminary Local Storm Report...Summary
National Weather Service Lincoln IL
925 PM CDT Fri Apr 3 2026
..TIME... ...EVENT... ...CITY LOCATION... ...LAT.LON...
..DATE... ....MAG.... ..COUNTY LOCATION..ST.. ...SOURCE....
..REMARKS..
0515 PM Funnel Cloud 2 SE Topeka 40.33N 89.89W
04/03/2026 Mason IL Trained Spotter
Funnel cloud reported southwest of Forest
City.
0521 PM Hail Manito 40.43N 89.78W
04/03/2026 E1.00 Inch Mason IL Broadcast Media
0523 PM Hail Forest City 40.37N 89.83W
04/03/2026 M2.00 Inch Mason IL Broadcast Media
0527 PM Funnel Cloud 5 SE Union 40.35N 89.73W
04/03/2026 Mason IL Public
0602 PM Tornado 3 SW Hopedale 40.39N 89.46W
04/03/2026 Tazewell IL Emergency Mngr
tornado touched down then lifted, rotating
wall cloud shortly after.
0603 PM Tornado 4 SW Hopedale 40.39N 89.47W
04/03/2026 Tazewell IL Trained Spotter
0611 PM Hail 1 ESE Tremont 40.52N 89.48W
04/03/2026 M0.88 Inch Tazewell IL NWS Employee
0617 PM Hail 3 SSE Tremont 40.49N 89.47W
04/03/2026 E1.00 Inch Tazewell IL NWS Employee
0633 PM Tstm Wnd Dmg 1 SSE Topeka 40.32N 89.93W
04/03/2026 Mason IL Emergency Mngr
Powerlines down in the Topeka area.
0635 PM Funnel Cloud 3 NNW Minier 40.47N 89.34W
04/03/2026 Tazewell IL Trained Spotter
Spotter reports a funnel cloud southeast of
his location, halfway between Mackinaw and
Hopedale.
0645 PM Tstm Wnd Dmg 2 SW Forest City 40.36N 89.86W
04/03/2026 Mason IL Emergency Mngr
powerlines down on Manito blacktop road.
0653 PM Flood Tremont 40.53N 89.49W
04/03/2026 Tazewell IL Emergency Mngr
Corrects time on the previous flood report
from Tremont. Significant street flooding
reported by EM.
0655 PM Hail Forest City 40.37N 89.83W
04/03/2026 M1.00 Inch Mason IL Emergency Mngr
0718 PM Hail Danvers 40.53N 89.18W
04/03/2026 M1.00 Inch McLean IL Public
0741 PM Flood Canton 40.56N 90.04W
04/03/2026 Fulton IL Trained Spotter
Standing water over the curbs with vehicles
driving through reported by a SWOP observer.
0743 PM Flood 2 W Kappa 40.68N 89.04W
04/03/2026 Woodford IL Emergency Mngr
Corrects source of previous flood report
from 2 W Kappa. El Paso ESDA reported
flooding over the roadway at county road
2600 east and county road 600 N with the
road being impassable.
0746 PM Flood 2 NW Carlock 40.60N 89.16W
04/03/2026 Woodford IL Emergency Mngr
County road 2000 east at county road 100 n
outside of Congerville is impassable due to
flood waters reported by EM.
0755 PM Flash Flood 3 E Congerville 40.62N 89.16W
04/03/2026 Woodford IL Emergency Mngr
Flash flooding at county road 2000 east and
route 150. 4-6 inches of water over the
roadway.
0826 PM Flood Pekin 40.57N 89.64W
04/03/2026 Tazewell IL Broadcast Media
Many streets in Pekin have a couple inches
of water on them.
0837 PM Flood 1 SE Pekin 40.56N 89.63W
04/03/2026 Tazewell IL Emergency Mngr
road closed due to flooding.
0837 PM Flood 3 SE Pekin 40.55N 89.60W
04/03/2026 Tazewell IL Emergency Mngr
4 to 5 inches of flooding on roadways.
0852 PM Flood 3 SE Eureka 40.69N 89.24W
04/03/2026 Woodford IL Emergency Mngr
water over the roadway.
0854 PM Rain 4 NNW Hopedale 40.47N 89.45W
04/03/2026 M2.26 Inch Tazewell IL NWS Employee
Storm total rainfall from NWS Employee.
0901 PM Flood Eureka 40.72N 89.28W
04/03/2026 Woodford IL Emergency Mngr
4 to 5 inches of water on the road in front
of Kirby foods.
0906 PM Flood 2 NW Secor 40.76N 89.16W
04/03/2026 Woodford IL Public
4 inches of water on the roadway.
0906 PM Rain Congerville 40.62N 89.20W
04/03/2026 M2.81 Inch Woodford IL Emergency Mngr
&&Local storm report, Apr 3, 10:18 PM CDT, 1 hour 24 minutes before
Preliminary Local Storm Report
National Weather Service Lincoln IL
1018 PM CDT Fri Apr 3 2026
..TIME... ...EVENT... ...CITY LOCATION... ...LAT.LON...
..DATE... ....MAG.... ..COUNTY LOCATION..ST.. ...SOURCE....
..REMARKS..
0525 PM Tornado 4 SW Galesburg 40.91N 90.43W
04/02/2026 Knox IL NWS Storm Survey
The tornado touched down about 4 miles
southwest of Galesburg where it damaged a
few trees before heading northeast toward
Galesburg. The tornado did primarily tree
damage as it crossed Galesburg and went into
East Galesburg. The tornado dissipated just
east of East Galesburg.
0618 PM Tornado 2 SE Williamsfield 40.91N 89.99W
04/02/2026 Knox IL NWS Storm Survey
The tornado touched down about 2 miles
southeast of Williamsfield just west of the
Knox County line, where it destroyed an
outbuilding. It crossed into Peoria County
and strengthened to 110 mph winds as it
snapped off 7 large power poles along State
Route 78 near the intersection with Hwy 150.
The tornado progressed eastward producing
tree damage near N Brimfield Rd and N Maher
Rd before dissipating.
0618 PM Tornado 3 W Yates City 40.78N 90.07W
04/02/2026 Knox IL NWS Storm Survey
The tornado developed near Douglas or about
3.5 miles west of Yates City along State Rt
8, where it damaged an outbuilding. It
progressed to the northeast causing some
damage to an outbuilding and numerous large
trees along Knox Hwy 18 just south of 750 N.
The tornado also damaged a couple of homes
roofing and siding in that area before
moving northeast across Knox Rd 2300 E where
it did more tree damage before dissipating.
0623 PM Tornado 4 N Yates City 40.84N 90.01W
04/02/2026 Knox IL NWS Storm Survey
The tornado touched down about 2 miles east
of Elba Center where it did some tree damage
just south of Knox Road 900 N. It progressed
across I-74 near E Knox Rd where it damaged
an outbuilding and some trees. It caused
additional tree damage along N Elmore Rd and
W Swab Run Rd before dissipating near N
McClellan Rd. Debris was thrown to the east
of there as the tornado dissipated.
&&
ShimonThe office that day
Everything else NWS Lincoln, IL issued on the same UTC day.
| Issued | Product | Office | Counties | Lasted |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Apr 3, 7:01 PM CDT | Severe Thunderstorm Warning | ILX | McLean, Woodford | 45 min |
| Apr 3, 7:05 PM CDT | Flash Flood Warning | ILX | McLean, Tazewell, Woodford | 3 hr |
| Apr 3, 7:46 PM CDT | Areal Flood Advisory | ILX | Fulton | 3 hr |
| Apr 3, 7:54 PM CDT | Flash Flood Warning | ILX | McLean, Woodford | 3 hr |
| Apr 3, 8:31 PM CDT | Severe Thunderstorm Warning | ILX | Tazewell, Woodford | 24 min |
| Apr 3, 8:40 PM CDT | Areal Flood Advisory | ILX | Tazewell, Woodford | 2 hr |
| Apr 3, 8:58 PM CDT | Flood Watch | ILX | Fulton, Knox, McLean, Marshall, Mason, Peoria and 3 more | 8 hr |
| Apr 3, 11:52 PM CDT | River Flood Warning | ILX | Brown, Cass, Morgan, Schuyler | 39 days |
| Apr 3, 11:53 PM CDT | River Flood Warning | ILX | Cass, Fulton, Mason | 38 days |
| Apr 3, 11:55 PM CDT | River Flood Warning | ILX | Peoria, Tazewell, Woodford | 21 days |
| Apr 3, 11:56 PM CDT | River Flood Warning | ILX | Marshall, Putnam | 60 hr |
| Apr 4, 3:21 AM CDT | Areal Flood Warning | ILX | Woodford | 7 hr |
Nearby
River Flood Warnings in Illinois, 2026Every river 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; radar from the NEXRAD Level II archive; the gauge from the NWS water service and the USGS.