Flash Flooding in Illinois, September 10, 2000

Thunderstorms trained across the county throughout the day, with the most significant rains falling during the early afternoon hours. Radar estimates and surface reports indicated that upwards of 4 inches of rain fell in portions of the county. The hardest hit areas were Charleston and Mattoon, where numerous roads and yards were reported under water for several hours. Illinois Route 16, between Gays and Mattoon, was reported underwater in at least two locations. Also, a mobile home park's entrance was blocked as a result of the flood waters. No injuries were reported as a result of the flooding and no damage estimates were available.

Thunderstorms persisted during the daylight hours across the county. Ground saturated from the rainfall all day, eventually caused storm drains in Robinson to overflow and create widespread flooding and damage in much of the town. A local observer reported over 4.5 inches of rain during the event. Widespread basement and street flooding was noted. The hardest hit business in the city was a local Chevrolet dealership that sustained extensive damage to over 40 vehicles as well as the buildings on the lot. Water was reported nearly three and a half feet deep in the showroom of the dealership. Damage was noted to much of the building and its contents. The basement of a local health spa was reported as flooded, with several thousand dollars in damage. A building at WTYE-WTAY radio was reported to have water in it, but the station never went off the air. One injury was related to the event. A 20-year old male driver was involved in an accident on Illinois Route 33, just north of the Larwence county line. Water washed mud across the road, causing him to lose control of his car. He was taken to a local hospital complaining of neck and back pain. No other injuries were reported.