Illinois, 1997

Flood in Illinois, May 1 to 9, 1997

May 1 to 9, 1997 · NWS PAH · 1 event in 1 county or zone

3 feet above flood stage in early April. There was little damage, since the bottomlands were not planted for the most part.

Where it happened

Every event with a place to put it; 1 filed by county or forecast zone are drawn at its center, in a lighter ring. Tap one for its entry below.

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The toll

Deaths
0
Injuries
0
Property damage
None recorded
Crop damage
None recorded
Events
1

Deaths and injuries are direct and indirect together, as the offices filed them. Damage is property and crops in the dollars of the year, not adjusted for inflation, and only where an office estimated it.

What happened

The episode as NWS PAH wrote it up.

The Big Muddy River fell below flood stage at Murphysboro on May 9, after cresting 4.3 feet above flood stage in early April. There was little damage, since the bottomlands were not planted for the most part. The Big Muddy River again rose above flood stage on May 31. This would likely cause problems where crops were planted.

The radar

The national radar mosaic for the moment the first event began.

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Event by event

1 flood. Local standard time, as filed.

Flood, Jackson

When
May 1, 12:01 AM CST to May 9, 11:00 PM CST
Where
Jackson forecast zone
Coordinates
37.785, -89.382 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

What these are

Flood
Flooding that develops more slowly than a flash flood: rivers leaving their banks, or water standing over land for an extended time.

After NWS Directive 10-1605, the rules offices file Storm Data by.

The same day elsewhere

More

Every storm in Illinois in 1997Every state in 1997This day in weather historyWarnings in Illinois, May 1997

Sources

NOAA National Centers for Environmental Information, Storm Events Database, compiled from the National Weather Service’s monthly Storm Data. Complete through 2026-06; NCEI adds each month about 75 days after it ends and revises past years a few times a year. Rebuilt 2026-09-24. Each event’s entry at NCEI: 5593722.