Tornadoes and Flash Flooding in Illinois, May 13 to 14, 2009

Name: Tornadoes and Flash Flooding in Illinois, May 13 to 14, 2009
Start: 2009-05-13T16:00
End: 2009-05-14T06:30
Location: Illinois

May 13 to 14, 2009 · NWS ILX · 61 events in 27 counties and zones

Where it happened

Every event with a place to put it. Tap one for its entry below.

Tornadoes
Tropical storms and surge
Floods
Wind
Hail
Winter weather
Heat and drought
Cold
Fire, smoke and dust
Marine and coastal
Other

Open the live radar over this ground

The toll

Deaths: 0
Injuries: 0
Property damage: $873,000
Crop damage: None recorded
Events: 61

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 ILX wrote it up.

An impressive upper-level wave tracking across the Northern Plains helped push a strong cold front toward the Mississippi River by the evening of May 13th. An increasingly unstable and sheared airmass across central Illinois allowed severe thunderstorms to develop in advance of the front. Widespread wind damage occurred with the storms, with 4 tornadoes touching down around the area as well. The thunderstorms also produced torrential rainfall, with widespread 2 to 4 inch amounts reported. This produced flash flooding in much of central and southeast Illinois from the evening of the 13th until the morning of the 14th.

What forecasters said that day

The local office's own words before the first event, 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 the first event at May 13, 1:31 PM CST, 2 hours 29 minutes earlier.

Area forecast discussion, May 13, 1:31 PM CST, 2 hours 29 minutes before

AREA FORECAST DISCUSSION
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE LINCOLN IL
231 PM CDT WED MAY 13 2009

.DISCUSSION...
ISSUED 231 PM CDT WED MAY 13 2009

ACTIVE WEATHER AFFECTING CENTRAL AND SOUTHEAST ILLINOIS SO FAR
TODAY...WITH RAINFALL AMOUNTS OF 1.5 TO 3 INCHES FAIRLY
COMMON...PRIMARILY EAST OF I-55. RAIN WAS ASSOCIATED WITH A WARM
FRONT LIFTING NORTHWARD ACROSS THE AREA...AND HAD BECOME MORE
SCATTERED IN NATURE BY MID AFTERNOON. WELL DEFINED MCV MOVING
NORTHEAST FROM SOUTH CENTRAL MISSOURI...WITH THUNDERSTORMS
INCREASING IN THAT AREA.

MAIN FORECAST ISSUES ARE IN THE SHORT TERM...WITH SEVERE WEATHER
CHANCES TONIGHT AND AGAIN ON FRIDAY.

SHORT TERM...TONIGHT THROUGH SATURDAY...

MAIN SYNOPTIC COLD FRONT EXTENDED FROM NORTH CENTRAL MINNESOTA TO
THE OKLAHOMA PANHANDLE AT MID AFTERNOON. INSTABILITY INCREASING
ACROSS MISSOURI AND WESTERN ILLINOIS...IN THE WARM SECTOR AND
WHERE SOME BREAKS IN THE CLOUDS WERE LOCATED. LIFTED INDICES AT
18Z WERE APPROACHING -5 IN THE WESTERN CWA AND WERE EVEN LOWER IN
MISSOURI...WHILE CAPES WERE RISING INTO THE 4-DIGIT RANGE. 18Z
SOUNDING FROM LINCOLN STILL SHOWED A DECENT AMOUNT OF
CAPPING...BUT THIS SHOULD CONTINUE TO WEAKEN..WHICH IT HAS ALREADY
DONE FURTHER WEST. THUNDERSTORMS PROGGED TO CONTINUE INCREASING
INTO THE EVENING...WITH MODELS SHOWING THE FRONT NEAR I-55 AROUND
MIDNIGHT AND CLEARING THE SOUTHEAST CWA JUST AFTER SUNRISE.
POTENTIAL EXISTS FOR ANOTHER COUPLE OF INCHES OF RAIN...ESPECIALLY
ALONG THE I-70 CORRIDOR. DUE TO THIS AND THE EARLIER
RAINFALL...WILL ISSUE A FLOOD WATCH FOR AREAS EAST OF I-55 THROUGH
7 AM THURSDAY.

MODELS IN GOOD AGREEMENT WITH THE FRONT PUSHING TO AROUND THE OHIO
RIVER BY THURSDAY EVENING...WITH HIGH PRESSURE BUILDING ACROSS THE
MIDWEST. HOWEVER...FRONT EXPECTED TO RETREAT NORTHWARD TO AROUND
I-80 BY LATE FRIDAY AFTERNOON. THUNDER CHANCES TO INCREASE AGAIN
IN THE WARM SECTOR AND CONTINUE THROUGH THE NIGHT...AS ANOTHER
COLD FRONT SWEEPS ACROSS THE AREA.

LONG TERM...SUNDAY THROUGH WEDNESDAY...

NORTHWEST FLOW EXPECTED TO SET UP EARLY IN THE WEEK...WITH MAIN
STORM TRACK TO REMAIN NORTH OF THE FORECAST AREA. FORECAST WILL BE
DRY DURING THIS PERIOD.

GEELHART

&&

.AVIATION...
ISSUED 1239 PM CDT WED MAY 13 2009

WARM FRONT CONTINUES TO LIFT NORTHWARD INTO CENTRAL ILLINOIS EARLY
THIS AFTERNOON...WITH MUCH OF THE EARLIER CONVECTION NOW SHIFTING
EAST OF THE TAF SITES. CEILINGS ARE STEADILY BEGINNING TO IMPROVE
FROM SOUTH TO NORTH ACROSS THE AREA...WITH CEILINGS AT KSPI
ALREADY AOA 5000FT. EXPECT CEILINGS TO IMPROVE AT THE NORTHERN
TERMINALS WITHIN THE NEXT HOUR OR TWO...AS LOWER CLOUDS GRADUALLY
SHIFT FURTHER NORTHWARD. RADAR SHOWS SCATTERED SHOWERS/STORMS
FIRING ACROSS WEST-CENTRAL ILLINOIS ALONG THE ADVANCING FRONT.
HAVE INCLUDED A TEMPO GROUP FOR TSRA THIS AFTERNOON...AS THIS
ACTIVITY IS EXPECTED TO BECOME MORE WIDESPREAD AS IT TRACKS E/NE
ACROSS THE AREA. THUNDER WILL REACH KPIA AND KSPI BY AROUND
19Z...THEN FURTHER EAST TO KCMI BY 21Z. MAIN CONVECTIVE EVENT
STILL ON TRACK FOR THIS EVENING AS STRONG COLD FRONT PUSHES INTO
ILLINOIS. 12Z MODELS SUGGEST BEST TIME FRAME FOR CONVECTION
BETWEEN 00Z AND 06Z. AFTER THAT...WINDS WILL SWITCH TO NW AND
SKIES WILL BEGIN TO CLEAR OUT WELL AFTER MIDNIGHT.

BARNES
&&

.ILX WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES...
FLOOD WATCH THROUGH THURSDAY MORNING FOR ILZ038-042>046-051>057-
061>063-066>068-071>073.

&&

Hazardous weather outlook, May 13, 2:21 PM CST, 1 hour 39 minutes before

HAZARDOUS WEATHER OUTLOOK
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE LINCOLN IL
321 PM CDT WED MAY 13 2009

ILZ027-036-040-041-047-049-050-142030-
CASS-FULTON-KNOX-MASON-MORGAN-SCHUYLER-SCOTT-
321 PM CDT WED MAY 13 2009

THIS HAZARDOUS WEATHER OUTLOOK IS FOR PORTIONS OF CENTRAL
ILLINOIS.

.DAY ONE...TONIGHT

THUNDERSTORMS WILL DEVELOP AHEAD OF AN APPROACHING COLD FRONT
ACROSS THE ILLINOIS RIVER VALLEY THIS EVENING...THEN WILL
SPREAD EASTWARD TO THE I-55 CORRIDOR LATE THIS EVENING. ATMOSPHERIC
CONDITIONS WILL BE FAVORABLE TO SUPPORT ROTATING UPDRAFTS WITH THE
STORMS...ENHANCING THE THREAT FOR LARGE HAIL IN EXCESS OF
QUARTER-SIZED...WINDS GREATER THAN 60 MPH...AND A FEW TORNADOES.
IN ADDITION...LOCALLY HEAVY RAINFALL WILL BE LIKELY...AGGRAVATING
ONGOING FLOODING ISSUES IN THE AREA.

THE ILLINOIS RIVER WILL REMAIN IN FLOOD FOR THE NEXT SEVERAL
DAYS.

.DAYS TWO THROUGH SEVEN...THURSDAY THROUGH TUESDAY

ANOTHER WEATHER SYSTEM WILL BRING ADDITIONAL THUNDERSTORM CHANCES
INTO THE REGION FOR THURSDAY NIGHT THROUGH SATURDAY.

.SPOTTER INFORMATION STATEMENT...

SPOTTER ACTIVATION WILL LIKELY BE REQUIRED THIS AFTERNOON AND
EVENING...PRIMARILY FROM 4 PM TO 11 PM.

ILZ028>031-037-048-142030-
MARSHALL-MENARD-PEORIA-STARK-TAZEWELL-WOODFORD-
321 PM CDT WED MAY 13 2009

THIS HAZARDOUS WEATHER OUTLOOK IS FOR PORTIONS OF CENTRAL
ILLINOIS.

.DAY ONE...TONIGHT

THUNDERSTORMS WILL DEVELOP AHEAD OF AN APPROACHING COLD FRONT
ACROSS THE ILLINOIS RIVER VALLEY THIS EVENING...THEN WILL
SPREAD EASTWARD TO THE I-55 CORRIDOR LATE THIS EVENING. ATMOSPHERIC
CONDITIONS WILL BE FAVORABLE TO SUPPORT ROTATING UPDRAFTS WITH THE
STORMS...ENHANCING THE THREAT FOR LARGE HAIL IN EXCESS OF
QUARTER-SIZED...WINDS GREATER THAN 60 MPH...AND A FEW TORNADOES.
IN ADDITION...LOCALLY HEAVY RAINFALL WILL BE LIKELY...AGGRAVATING
ONGOING FLOODING ISSUES IN THE AREA.

THE ILLINOIS RIVER WILL REMAIN IN FLOOD FOR THE NEXT SEVERAL
DAYS.

.DAYS TWO THROUGH SEVEN...THURSDAY THROUGH TUESDAY

ANOTHER WEATHER SYSTEM WILL BRING ADDITIONAL THUNDERSTORM CHANCES
INTO THE REGION FOR THURSDAY NIGHT THROUGH SATURDAY.

.SPOTTER INFORMATION STATEMENT...

SPOTTER ACTIVATION WILL LIKELY BE REQUIRED THIS AFTERNOON AND
EVENING...PRIMARILY FROM 4 PM TO 11 PM.

ILZ038-042>046-051>057-061-142030-
CHAMPAIGN-CHRISTIAN-COLES-DE WITT-DOUGLAS-EDGAR-LOGAN-MACON-
MCLEAN-MOULTRIE-PIATT-SANGAMON-SHELBY-VERMILION-
321 PM CDT WED MAY 13 2009

...FLOOD WATCH IN EFFECT THROUGH THURSDAY MORNING...

THIS HAZARDOUS WEATHER OUTLOOK IS FOR PORTIONS OF CENTRAL
ILLINOIS AND EAST CENTRAL ILLINOIS.

.DAY ONE...TONIGHT

THUNDERSTORMS WILL DEVELOP AHEAD OF AN APPROACHING COLD FRONT
ACROSS THE I-55 CORRIDOR THIS EVENING...THEN SPREAD EAST INTO
EASTERN ILLINOIS LATE THIS EVENING. ATMOSPHERIC CONDITIONS WILL BE
FAVORABLE TO SUPPORT ROTATING UPDRAFTS WITH THE STORMS...ENHANCING
THE THREAT FOR LARGE HAIL IN EXCESS OF QUARTER- SIZED...WINDS
GREATER THAN 60 MPH...AND A FEW TORNADOES. IN ADDITION...LOCALLY
HEAVY RAINFALL WILL BE LIKELY...AGGRAVATING ONGOING FLOODING
ISSUES IN THE AREA. THE STORMS WILL PUSH INTO EAST-CENTRAL
ILLINOIS BY LATER THIS EVENING.

THE ILLINOIS RIVER WILL REMAIN IN FLOOD FOR THE NEXT SEVERAL
DAYS.

.DAYS TWO THROUGH SEVEN...THURSDAY THROUGH TUESDAY

ANOTHER WEATHER SYSTEM WILL BRING ADDITIONAL THUNDERSTORM CHANCES
INTO THE REGION FOR THURSDAY NIGHT THROUGH SATURDAY.

.SPOTTER INFORMATION STATEMENT...

SPOTTER ACTIVATION WILL LIKELY BE REQUIRED THIS AFTERNOON AND
EVENING...PRIMARILY FROM 5 PM TO 12 AM.

ILZ062-063-066>068-071>073-142030-
CLARK-CLAY-CRAWFORD-CUMBERLAND-EFFINGHAM-JASPER-LAWRENCE-RICHLAND-
321 PM CDT WED MAY 13 2009

...FLOOD WATCH IN EFFECT THROUGH THURSDAY MORNING...

THIS HAZARDOUS WEATHER OUTLOOK IS FOR PORTIONS OF EAST CENTRAL
ILLINOIS AND SOUTHEAST ILLINOIS.

.DAY ONE...TONIGHT

OCCASIONAL THUNDERSTORMS WILL CONTINUE ACROSS SOUTHEAST ILLINOIS
THROUGH THE LATE AFTERNOON AND EVENING. SMALL HAIL AND LOCALLY HEAVY
RAINFALL WILL BE LIKELY WITH THE STORMS. ADDITIONAL STORMS WILL
DEVELOP AHEAD OF AN APPROACHING DISTURBANCE TO THE SOUTHWEST THIS
EVENING...WITH THE PRIMARY THREAT FROM THE STORMS BEING DAMAGING
WIND GUSTS IN EXCESS OF 60 MPH. LARGE HAIL IN EXCESS OF QUARTER-
SIZED AND ISOLATED TORNADOES WILL ALSO BE POSSIBLE. THE STORMS
WILL PUSH INTO INDIANA SHORTLY AFTER MIDNIGHT.

.DAYS TWO THROUGH SEVEN...THURSDAY THROUGH TUESDAY

ANOTHER WEATHER SYSTEM WILL BRING ADDITIONAL THUNDERSTORM CHANCES
INTO THE REGION FOR THURSDAY NIGHT THROUGH SATURDAY.

.SPOTTER INFORMATION STATEMENT...

SPOTTER ACTIVATION WILL LIKELY BE REQUIRED THIS EVENING AFTER 5 PM.

25

In the hours before

Local storm report, May 13, 11:40 AM CST, 4 hours 20 minutes before

PRELIMINARY LOCAL STORM REPORT
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE LINCOLN IL
1240 PM CDT WED MAY 13 2009

..TIME...   ...EVENT...      ...CITY LOCATION...     ...LAT.LON...
..DATE...   ....MAG....      ..COUNTY LOCATION..ST.. ...SOURCE....
            ..REMARKS..

1225 PM     FLOOD            2 SW RANTOUL            40.28N 88.18W
05/13/2009                   CHAMPAIGN          IL   PUBLIC

            MINOR FLOODING OF COUNTY ROADS DUE TO RUNOFF FROM WATER
            IN FIELDS.

&&

25

Local storm report, May 13, 11:42 AM CST, 4 hours 18 minutes before

PRELIMINARY LOCAL STORM REPORT
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE LINCOLN IL
1242 PM CDT WED MAY 13 2009

..TIME...   ...EVENT...      ...CITY LOCATION...     ...LAT.LON...
..DATE...   ....MAG....      ..COUNTY LOCATION..ST.. ...SOURCE....
            ..REMARKS..

1230 PM     HEAVY RAIN       2 NE CISCO              40.03N 88.70W
05/13/2009  M2.06 INCH       PIATT              IL   MESONET

            24 HOUR RAINFALL. SOME LOWLAND FLOODING AND WATER
            STANDING ON SOME RURAL ROADS. SWOP REPORT.

&&

25

Local storm report, May 13, 11:58 AM CST, 4 hours 2 minutes before

PRELIMINARY LOCAL STORM REPORT
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE LINCOLN IL
1258 PM CDT WED MAY 13 2009

..TIME...   ...EVENT...      ...CITY LOCATION...     ...LAT.LON...
..DATE...   ....MAG....      ..COUNTY LOCATION..ST.. ...SOURCE....
            ..REMARKS..

1250 PM     HEAVY RAIN       OGDEN                   40.12N 87.96W
05/13/2009  M1.60 INCH       CHAMPAIGN          IL   CO-OP OBSERVER

            STORM TOTAL OF 1.60 INCHES...WITH 1.35 INCHES SINCE 6 AM.

&&

25

Local storm report, May 13, 12:03 PM CST, 3 hours 57 minutes before

PRELIMINARY LOCAL STORM REPORT
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE LINCOLN IL
103 PM CDT WED MAY 13 2009

..TIME...   ...EVENT...      ...CITY LOCATION...     ...LAT.LON...
..DATE...   ....MAG....      ..COUNTY LOCATION..ST.. ...SOURCE....
            ..REMARKS..

0101 PM     HEAVY RAIN       MONTICELLO              40.03N 88.57W
05/13/2009  M1.83 INCH       PIATT              IL   MESONET

            STORM TOTAL 1.83 INCHES...1.14 INCHES SINCE 7 AM.

&&

25

Local storm report, May 13, 12:06 PM CST, 3 hours 54 minutes before

PRELIMINARY LOCAL STORM REPORT
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE LINCOLN IL
106 PM CDT WED MAY 13 2009

..TIME...   ...EVENT...      ...CITY LOCATION...     ...LAT.LON...
..DATE...   ....MAG....      ..COUNTY LOCATION..ST.. ...SOURCE....
            ..REMARKS..

1030 AM     HEAVY RAIN       DANVILLE                40.14N 87.62W
05/13/2009  M1.50 INCH       VERMILION          IL   EMERGENCY MNGR

            LOCAL STREET FLOODING

&&

25

Local storm report, May 13, 12:08 PM CST, 3 hours 52 minutes before

PRELIMINARY LOCAL STORM REPORT
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE LINCOLN IL
108 PM CDT WED MAY 13 2009

..TIME...   ...EVENT...      ...CITY LOCATION...     ...LAT.LON...
..DATE...   ....MAG....      ..COUNTY LOCATION..ST.. ...SOURCE....
            ..REMARKS..

0100 PM     HEAVY RAIN       2 SE DECATUR            39.83N 88.91W
05/13/2009  M1.61 INCH       MACON              IL   MESONET

            1.61 INCH STORM TOTAL...0.97 INCHES SINCE 7 AM. COCORAHS
            REPORT.

&&

25

The radar

The Evansville,IN radar (KVWX), 118 km away, was scanning. The volume nearest the first event began at 21:58 UTC.

Open the radar archive at this moment

Event by event

29 flash flood, 22 thunderstorm wind, 6 hail, 4 tornado. Local standard time, as filed.

Thunderstorm Wind, Clark

When: May 13, 4:00 PM CST to 4:01 PM CST
Where: Clark County, Casey
Measured: 52 kt (60 mph) estimated gust
Property damage: $12,000
Reported by: Emergency Manager
Coordinates: 39.300, -87.980

A few trees were blown down in Casey.

Flash Flood, Jasper

When: May 13, 4:30 PM CST to 8:00 PM CST
Where: Jasper County, 2.98 mi SW of Wheeler to 1.06 mi WSW of Bogota
Cause: Heavy Rain
Reported by: Law Enforcement
Coordinates: 39.020, -88.360

Heavy rain of 2.50 to 3.50 inches of rain in two hours produced widespread flooding in much of Jasper County. All of the county roads were flooded, with at least two roads closed due to high water.

Flash Flood, Effingham

When: May 13, 4:30 PM CST to 8:00 PM CST
Where: Effingham County, 3.19 mi WSW of Elliottstown to 3.5 mi WSW of Hill
Cause: Heavy Rain
Reported by: Law Enforcement
Coordinates: 38.979, -88.503

Heavy rain of 2.00 to 3.00 inches within two hours produced widespread flash flooding in southeast Effingham County. All of the roads in the impacted area were flooded and several were closed to traffic due to high water.

Hail, Woodford

When: May 13, 4:53 PM CST to 4:54 PM CST
Where: Woodford County, 1 mi N of El Paso
Measured: 1 in hail
Reported by: Public
Coordinates: 40.745, -89.020

Hail, Woodford

When: May 13, 4:58 PM CST to 4:59 PM CST
Where: Woodford County, El Paso
Measured: 0.88 in hail
Reported by: Emergency Manager
Coordinates: 40.730, -89.020

Flash Flood, Clay

When: May 13, 5:30 PM CST to 8:00 PM CST
Where: Clay County, 3.26 mi NW of Hord to 5.45 mi WSW of Oskaloosa
Cause: Heavy Rain
Reported by: Emergency Manager
Coordinates: 38.914, -88.562

Heavy rain of 2.50 to 3.50 inches within two hours produced widespread flash flooding in much of Clay County. All of the roads in the impacted area were flooded and several were closed to traffic due to high water.

Hail, Morgan

When: May 13, 8:45 PM CST to 8:46 PM CST
Where: Morgan County, Meredosia
Measured: 1 in hail
Reported by: Law Enforcement
Coordinates: 39.830, -90.570

Hail, Morgan

When: May 13, 9:00 PM CST to 9:01 PM CST
Where: Morgan County, 3 mi E of Meredosia
Measured: 0.75 in hail
Reported by: Emergency Manager
Coordinates: 39.830, -90.513

Thunderstorm Wind, Scott

When: May 13, 9:00 PM CST to 9:01 PM CST
Where: Scott County, 3.22 mi SE of Oxville
Measured: 52 kt (60 mph) estimated gust
Property damage: $8,000
Reported by: Newspaper
Coordinates: 39.668, -90.526

Powerlines were blown down on Priepot Road.

Hail, Morgan

When: May 13, 9:05 PM CST to 9:06 PM CST
Where: Morgan County, Chapin
Measured: 0.75 in hail
Reported by: Emergency Manager
Coordinates: 39.770, -90.400

Thunderstorm Wind, Morgan

When: May 13, 9:30 PM CST to 9:31 PM CST
Where: Morgan County, Jacksonville
Measured: 52 kt (60 mph) estimated gust
Property damage: $20,000
Reported by: Newspaper
Coordinates: 39.730, -90.230

Several trees were blown down on the south side of Jacksonville.

Hail, Morgan

When: May 13, 9:32 PM CST to 9:33 PM CST
Where: Morgan County, Murrayville
Measured: 1 in hail
Reported by: Emergency Manager
Coordinates: 39.580, -90.250

Thunderstorm Wind, Sangamon

When: May 13, 9:45 PM CST to 9:46 PM CST
Where: Sangamon County, Springfield
Measured: 52 kt (60 mph) estimated gust
Property damage: $40,000
Reported by: Trained Spotter
Coordinates: 39.800, -89.650

Trees and powerlines were blown down in several locations across Springfield.

Flash Flood, Schuyler

When: May 13, 10:00 PM CST to May 14, 3:00 AM CST
Where: Schuyler County, 5.15 mi W of Birmingham to 5.53 mi NW of Huntsville
Cause: Heavy Rain
Reported by: Law Enforcement
Coordinates: 40.279, -90.917

Heavy rain of 3.00 to 5.00 inches within 3 hours in northern Schuyler County produced widespread flash flooding of most roads.

Flash Flood, Morgan

When: May 13, 10:00 PM CST to May 14, 4:00 AM CST
Where: Morgan County, 3.47 mi N of Meredosia to 3.41 mi SW of Meredosia
Cause: Heavy Rain
Reported by: COOP Observer
Coordinates: 39.880, -90.563

Heavy rain of 2.00 to 4.00 inches within two hours produced significant flash flooding of most roads, particularly in northern Morgan County.

Flash Flood, Scott

When: May 13, 10:00 PM CST to May 14, 4:00 AM CST
Where: Scott County, 2.91 mi N of Naples to 5.14 mi W of Oxville
Cause: Heavy Rain
Reported by: Law Enforcement
Coordinates: 39.792, -90.604

Heavy rain of 2.00 to 4.00 inches within two hours produced significant flash flooding of most roads in northern Scott County.

Flash Flood, Fulton

When: May 13, 10:00 PM CST to May 14, 3:00 AM CST
Where: Fulton County, 3.84 mi W of Marietta to 0.83 mi WSW of Astoria
Cause: Heavy Rain
Reported by: Emergency Manager
Coordinates: 40.498, -90.453

Heavy rain of 1.50 to 3.00 inches within two hours produced significant flash flooding of most roads in southern Fulton County.

Thunderstorm Wind, De Witt

When: May 13, 10:15 PM CST to 10:16 PM CST
Where: De Witt County, 4 mi S of Clinton
Measured: 52 kt (60 mph) estimated gust
Property damage: $2,000
Reported by: Emergency Manager
Coordinates: 40.092, -88.950

Road signs were blown down along Highway 51 near Salt Creek.

Thunderstorm Wind, De Witt

When: May 13, 10:16 PM CST to 10:17 PM CST
Where: De Witt County, Clinton
Measured: 52 kt (60 mph) estimated gust
Property damage: $20,000
Reported by: Trained Spotter
Coordinates: 40.150, -88.950

Numerous 5-inch tree limbs were blown down around Clinton.

Thunderstorm Wind, De Witt

When: May 13, 10:22 PM CST to 10:23 PM CST
Where: De Witt County, 5 mi E of Clinton
Measured: 52 kt (60 mph) estimated gust
Property damage: $3,000
Reported by: Emergency Manager
Coordinates: 40.150, -88.855

A large tree was blown down across Highway 54 at Clinton Lake.

Thunderstorm Wind, Macon

When: May 13, 10:35 PM CST to 10:36 PM CST
Where: Macon County, Mt Zion
Measured: 65 kt (75 mph) estimated gust
Property damage: $110,000
Reported by: Emergency Manager
Coordinates: 39.770, -88.880

Damaging winds associated with the rear flank downdraft of a strong thunderstorm created a swath of wind damage across parts of Mt. Zion. Shingle and siding damage occurred to a number of homes in the area. Power poles were broken off, portable sheds and outbuildings were destroyed, and the metal roof of a car wash was peeled back.

Flash Flood, Sangamon

When: May 13, 10:45 PM CST to May 14, 4:00 AM CST
Where: Sangamon County, 4.39 mi WNW of Pleasant Plains to 7.91 mi WNW of New Berlin
Cause: Heavy Rain
Reported by: COOP Observer
Coordinates: 39.900, -89.993

Heavy rain of 2.00 to 3.00 inches within two hours produced significant flash flooding of most roads in northern Sangamon County, including the city of Springfield.

Flash Flood, McLean

When: May 13, 10:45 PM CST to May 14, 2:00 AM CST
Where: McLean County, 1.91 mi NNW of Enright to 1.7 mi SSW of Enright
Cause: Heavy Rain
Reported by: COOP Observer
Coordinates: 40.754, -88.988

Heavy rain of 2.00 to 3.00 inches within two hours produced significant flash flooding of most roads in extreme northern McLean County.

Thunderstorm Wind, De Witt

When: May 13, 10:50 PM CST to 10:51 PM CST
Where: De Witt County, Weldon
Measured: 61 kt (70 mph) estimated gust
Property damage: $75,000
Reported by: Park/Forest Service
Coordinates: 40.120, -88.750

Numerous trees were uprooted or snapped off by strong winds across Weldon Springs State Park.

Thunderstorm Wind, Piatt

When: May 13, 10:55 PM CST to 10:56 PM CST
Where: Piatt County, Monticello
Measured: 61 kt (70 mph) estimated gust
Property damage: $35,000
Reported by: Emergency Manager
Coordinates: 40.030, -88.570

Several large trees were blown down and roof damage occurred to 3 homes in Monticello.

Thunderstorm Wind, Christian

When: May 13, 10:58 PM CST to 10:59 PM CST
Where: Christian County, 5.93 mi SSW of Vanderville
Measured: 65 kt (75 mph) estimated gust
Property damage: $25,000
Reported by: NWS Storm Survey
Coordinates: 39.352, -89.346

Wind gusts of more than 70 mph did extensive damage to a barn roof. The wind also peeled back siding and shingles to an adjacent house.

Flash Flood, Cass

When: May 13, 11:00 PM CST to May 14, 4:00 AM CST
Where: Cass County, 7.32 mi W of Hagener to 4.99 mi WSW of Hagener
Cause: Heavy Rain
Reported by: Law Enforcement
Coordinates: 39.916, -90.538

Heavy rain of 2.00 to 3.00 inches within two hours produced significant flash flooding of most roads in extreme southern Cass County.

Flash Flood, Woodford

When: May 13, 11:00 PM CST to May 14, 2:00 AM CST
Where: Woodford County, 2.1 mi SE of Cazenovia to 3.17 mi SE of Goodfield
Cause: Heavy Rain
Reported by: COOP Observer
Coordinates: 40.829, -89.301

Heavy rain of 2.00 to 3.00 inches within two hours produced significant flash flooding of most roads in eastern Woodford County.

Tornado, Christian

When: May 13, 11:04 PM CST to 11:05 PM CST
Where: Christian County, 1.37 mi NNE of Rosamond to 2.06 mi NE of Rosamond
Rating: EF1
Path length: 0.81 mi
Path width: 60 yd
Property damage: $50,000
Reported by: NWS Storm Survey
Coordinates: 39.397, -89.156

A tornado briefly touched down 4 miles west of Pana, then tracked northeastward to 3 miles west-northwest of Pana before dissipating. A pole barn was severely damaged and some minor roof damage occurred to a house. In addition, several tree tops were sheared off.

Thunderstorm Wind, Douglas

When: May 13, 11:10 PM CST to 11:11 PM CST
Where: Douglas County, Tuscola
Measured: 52 kt (60 mph) estimated gust
Property damage: $40,000
Reported by: Emergency Manager
Coordinates: 39.800, -88.280

Numerous trees and powerlines down across Douglas County. Wind damaged a gas station and 2 hardware stores in Tuscola.

Tornado, Shelby

When: May 13, 11:12 PM CST to 11:13 PM CST
Where: Shelby County, 2.12 mi S of Tower Hill to 2.15 mi SSE of Tower Hill
Rating: EF0
Path length: 0.57 mi
Path width: 40 yd
Property damage: $60,000
Reported by: NWS Storm Survey
Coordinates: 39.350, -88.964

A tornado briefly touched down 2 miles south of Tower Hill, then tracked eastward to 2 miles south-southeast of Tower Hill. A shed was severely damaged and front porches were torn off several homes. Shingles were blown off houses and numerous trees were damaged.

Thunderstorm Wind, Vermilion

When: May 13, 11:15 PM CST to 11:16 PM CST
Where: Vermilion County, 5.88 mi SW of Fairmount
Measured: 52 kt (60 mph) estimated gust
Property damage: $3,000
Reported by: Mesonet
Coordinates: 40.000, -87.920

A tree was blown down onto power lines at the intersection of County Road 1050 North and 200 East.

Thunderstorm Wind, Douglas

When: May 13, 11:15 PM CST to 11:16 PM CST
Where: Douglas County, Camargo
Measured: 52 kt (60 mph) estimated gust
Property damage: $10,000
Reported by: Emergency Manager
Coordinates: 39.800, -88.170

Powerlines were blown down.

Thunderstorm Wind, Coles

When: May 13, 11:15 PM CST to 11:16 PM CST
Where: Coles County, 2.53 mi W of Etna
Measured: 61 kt (70 mph) estimated gust
Property damage: $45,000
Reported by: Emergency Manager
Coordinates: 39.375, -88.467

A mobile home was blown off its foundation on the west side of Lake Mattoon. Another mobile home was damaged on the east side of Lake Mattoon and several trees were blown down in the area.

Thunderstorm Wind, Shelby

When: May 13, 11:18 PM CST to 11:22 PM CST
Where: Shelby County, 4 mi SW of Shelbyville to 1 mi SW of Shelbyville
Measured: 52 kt (60 mph) estimated gust
Property damage: $80,000
Reported by: NWS Storm Survey
Coordinates: 39.379, -88.853

Numerous trees and power poles were blown down along a path from 4 miles southwest of Shelbyville to the far western edge of Shelbyville. Damage path was 1/2 mile wide and 3 miles long. Damage was caused by downburst winds as determined by an NWS Survey.

Tornado, Shelby

When: May 13, 11:22 PM CST to 11:24 PM CST
Where: Shelby County, 1.77 mi S of Shelbyville to 1.67 mi SE of Shelbyville
Rating: EF0
Path length: 1.39 mi
Path width: 50 yd
Property damage: $45,000
Reported by: NWS Storm Survey
Coordinates: 39.395, -88.805

A tornado touched down 1 mile southwest of Shelbyville, then tracked eastward to 1/2 mile southeast of Shelbyville. Numerous shallow-rooted trees were torn or uprooted. The tornado tracked through a campground, where several unoccupied trailers were damaged by falling trees and limbs. A carport was destroyed and porches were torn away from a few trailers. In addition, 2 unanchored metal sheds were destroyed.

Thunderstorm Wind, Champaign

When: May 13, 11:23 PM CST to 11:24 PM CST
Where: Champaign County, 1 mi SE of Homer
Measured: 61 kt (70 mph) estimated gust
Property damage: $30,000
Reported by: Mesonet
Coordinates: 40.020, -87.957

A shed was destroyed by strong winds.

Tornado, Vermilion

When: May 13, 11:23 PM CST
Where: Vermilion County, 5.1 mi WSW of Fairmount
Rating: EF0
Path length: 0.06 mi
Path width: 50 yd
Property damage: $35,000
Reported by: Emergency Manager
Coordinates: 40.017, -87.916

A tornado very briefly touched down 2 1/2 miles southeast of Homer or about 1/4 mile east of the intersection of County Roads 100E and 1050N. A large farm machinery shed was destroyed and several main transmission power poles were snapped.

Thunderstorm Wind, Vermilion

When: May 13, 11:29 PM CST to 11:30 PM CST
Where: Vermilion County, 3 mi S of Hoopeston
Measured: 61 kt (70 mph) estimated gust
Property damage: $40,000
Reported by: Emergency Manager
Coordinates: 40.427, -87.670

A barn was destroyed by high winds 3 miles south of Hoopeston.

Thunderstorm Wind, Champaign

When: May 13, 11:30 PM CST to 11:31 PM CST
Where: Champaign County, Tolono
Measured: 52 kt (60 mph) estimated gust
Property damage: $50,000
Reported by: Newspaper
Coordinates: 39.980, -88.250

A shed was destroyed by high winds in Tolono. Trees were blown down and minor damage occurred to the roof of a home 1 mile east of Tolono.

Thunderstorm Wind, Shelby

When: May 13, 11:35 PM CST to 11:36 PM CST
Where: Shelby County, Windsor
Measured: 52 kt (60 mph) estimated gust
Property damage: $8,000
Reported by: COOP Observer
Coordinates: 39.430, -88.600

A fence was knocked over and numerous tree branches were blown down.

Flash Flood, Christian

When: May 13, 11:45 PM CST to May 14, 4:00 AM CST
Where: Christian County, 2.02 mi NW of Roby to 2.53 mi SSW of Sicily
Cause: Heavy Rain
Reported by: COOP Observer
Coordinates: 39.749, -89.429

Heavy rain of up to 3.00 inches within two hours, on top of very saturated ground, produced widespread flash flooding of most roads in nearly all of Christian County.

Thunderstorm Wind, Vermilion

When: May 13, 11:50 PM CST to 11:51 PM CST
Where: Vermilion County, Rankin
Measured: 61 kt (70 mph) estimated gust
Property damage: $7,000
Reported by: Mesonet
Coordinates: 40.470, -87.880

A tree was blown onto a house in Rankin.

Flash Flood, Macon

When: May 14, 12:00 AM CST to 5:00 AM CST
Where: Macon County, 5.67 mi NW of Niantic to 6.11 mi SSW of Blue Mound
Cause: Heavy Rain
Reported by: Law Enforcement
Coordinates: 39.918, -89.230

Heavy rain of 2.50 to 4.00 inches within two to three hours produced significant flash flooding of most roads in Macon County, including extensive street flooding in the city of Decatur.

Flash Flood, Moultrie

When: May 14, 12:00 AM CST to 5:00 AM CST
Where: Moultrie County, 3.94 mi NW of Lake City to 6.05 mi S of Bruce
Cause: Heavy Rain
Reported by: Law Enforcement
Coordinates: 39.797, -88.762

Heavy rain of 2.00 to 4.00 inches within two to three hours produced significant flash flooding of most roads in northern Moultrie County. Several roads were closed to traffic including Illinois Route 121 and Route 32 near Sullivan.

Thunderstorm Wind, Douglas

When: May 14, 12:08 AM CST to 12:09 AM CST
Where: Douglas County, Newman
Measured: 52 kt (60 mph) estimated gust
Property damage: $20,000
Reported by: Trained Spotter
Coordinates: 39.800, -87.980

Several 6 to 10-inch diamter trees were blown down.

Flash Flood, Piatt

When: May 14, 12:30 AM CST to 5:00 AM CST
Where: Piatt County, 3.53 mi NNW of Cisco to 2.28 mi W of La Place
Cause: Heavy Rain
Reported by: Law Enforcement
Coordinates: 40.064, -88.764

Heavy rain of 2.50 to 4.00 inches within three hours produced significant flash flooding of most roads in Piatt County.

Flash Flood, Champaign

When: May 14, 12:30 AM CST to 6:00 AM CST
Where: Champaign County, 4.19 mi NNW of Ivesdale to 2.08 mi SSW of Ivesdale
Cause: Heavy Rain
Reported by: Law Enforcement
Coordinates: 39.989, -88.468

Heavy rain of 2.50 to 4.00 inches within three hours produced significant flash flooding of most roads in extreme southern Champaign County.

Flash Flood, Douglas

When: May 14, 12:30 AM CST to 6:00 AM CST
Where: Douglas County, 6.34 mi NNW of Garrett to 6.06 mi WNW of Garrett
Cause: Heavy Rain
Reported by: Law Enforcement
Coordinates: 39.884, -88.468

Heavy rain of 3.00 to 4.00 inches within three hours produced significant flash flooding of most roads in northern Douglas County. Much of U.S. Route 36, U.S. Route 45, and several rural roads were closed to traffic.

Flash Flood, Shelby

When: May 14, 12:30 AM CST to 6:00 AM CST
Where: Shelby County, 3.92 mi NW of Dollville to 1.39 mi NE of Oconee
Cause: Heavy Rain
Reported by: Law Enforcement
Coordinates: 39.473, -89.028

Heavy rain of 2.00 to 3.50 inches within two hours produced significant flash flooding of most roads across Shelby County. Many rural roads were closed to traffic due to high water.

Flash Flood, Coles

When: May 14, 12:45 AM CST to 6:00 AM CST
Where: Coles County, 5.07 mi NW of Cooks Mills to 4.17 mi NW of Magnet
Cause: Heavy Rain
Reported by: Newspaper
Coordinates: 39.622, -88.478

Heavy rain of 3.00 to 4.00 inches within two to three hours produced significant flash flooding of most roads across Coles County. Many rural roads, as well as city streets in Mattoon and Charleston, were closed to traffic due to high water. The Charleston Fire Department had to rescue a person stranded in their vehicle just north of the city on Route 316.

Flash Flood, Cumberland

When: May 14, 1:00 AM CST to 6:00 AM CST
Where: Cumberland County, 1.4 mi SW of Toledo to 4.81 mi S of Woodbury
Cause: Heavy Rain
Reported by: COOP Observer
Coordinates: 39.256, -88.269

Heavy rain of 2.00 to 4.00 inches within two to three hours produced significant flash flooding of most roads across Cumberland County. Many rural roads were closed to traffic due to high water.

Flash Flood, Edgar

When: May 14, 1:30 AM CST to 6:00 AM CST
Where: Edgar County, 3.68 mi WNW of Palermo to 1.33 mi SSW of Kansas
Cause: Heavy Rain
Reported by: Law Enforcement
Coordinates: 39.884, -87.947

Heavy rain of 2.50 to 4.00 inches within three hours produced significant flash flooding of most roads in Edgar County.

Flash Flood, Vermilion

When: May 14, 1:30 AM CST to 6:00 AM CST
Where: Vermilion County, 6.97 mi N of Allerton Arpt to 1.9 mi SW of Allerton Arpt
Cause: Heavy Rain
Reported by: COOP Observer
Coordinates: 40.000, -87.947

Heavy rain of 2.00 to 4.00 inches within two to three hours produced significant flash flooding of most roads in southern Vermilion County.

Flash Flood, Clark

When: May 14, 1:30 AM CST to 6:00 AM CST
Where: Clark County, 2.35 mi NNW of Westfield to 2.95 mi SW of Moriah
Cause: Heavy Rain
Reported by: COOP Observer
Coordinates: 39.483, -88.011

Heavy rain of 2.00 to 3.00 inches within two hours produced significant flash flooding of most roads across Clark County. Many rural roads were closed to traffic due to high water.

Flash Flood, Clay

When: May 14, 1:30 AM CST to 6:30 AM CST
Where: Clay County, 6.88 mi NNW of Cruse to 5.52 mi WSW of Xenia
Cause: Heavy Rain
Reported by: Emergency Manager
Coordinates: 38.916, -88.704

Heavy rain of 2.50 to 4.00 inches within two to three hours produced significant flash flooding of most roads across Clay County. Many rural roads were closed to traffic due to high water.

Flash Flood, Effingham

When: May 14, 2:00 AM CST to 6:30 AM CST
Where: Effingham County, 4.18 mi SW of Altamont to 0.26 mi W of Edgewood
Cause: Heavy Rain
Reported by: Law Enforcement
Coordinates: 39.028, -88.806

Heavy rain of 2.00 to 3.00 inches within two hours, on top of already saturated ground, produced significant flash flooding of most roads across southern Effingham County. Many roads were closed to traffic due to high water.

Flash Flood, Jasper

When: May 14, 2:00 AM CST to 6:30 AM CST
Where: Jasper County, 5.42 mi NNW of Island Grove to 4.42 mi WSW of Bogota
Cause: Heavy Rain
Reported by: Law Enforcement
Coordinates: 39.173, -88.367

Heavy rain of 3.00 to 5.00 inches within two to three hours produced significant flash flooding of most roads across Jasper County. Many rural roads were closed to traffic due to high water.

Flash Flood, Richland

When: May 14, 2:00 AM CST to 6:30 AM CST
Where: Richland County, 1.49 mi NNW of Wakefield to 4.01 mi SW of Schnell
Cause: Heavy Rain
Reported by: Law Enforcement
Coordinates: 38.849, -88.263

Heavy rain of 2.00 to 3.00 inches within two hours produced significant flash flooding of most roads across Richland County. Many rural roads were closed to traffic due to high water, especially in the vicinity of Olney.

Flash Flood, Crawford

When: May 14, 3:00 AM CST to 6:30 AM CST
Where: Crawford County, 1.6 mi N of Bellair to 1.21 mi WSW of Landes
Cause: Heavy Rain
Reported by: Law Enforcement
Coordinates: 39.173, -87.953

Heavy rain of 2.50 to 3.50 inches within two to three hours produced significant flash flooding of most roads across Crawford County. Many rural roads were closed to traffic due to high water, especially in the vicinity of Robinson.

Flash Flood, Lawrence

When: May 14, 3:00 AM CST to 6:30 AM CST
Where: Lawrence County, 4.52 mi WNW of Chauncey to 2.69 mi WSW of Sumner
Cause: Heavy Rain
Reported by: Mesonet
Coordinates: 38.850, -87.910

Heavy rain of 2.00 to 3.00 inches within two hours produced significant flash flooding of most roads across northern Lawrence County. Many rural roads were closed to traffic due to high water.

What these are

Thunderstorm Wind: Winds from a thunderstorm of 50 knots (58 mph) or more, or lower winds that caused damage or casualties. Measured gusts are marked MG, estimated EG.
Flash Flood: Flooding that begins within six hours of the rain that causes it, or of a dam or levee failure or ice jam release, often with deadly speed.
Hail: Hail three-quarters of an inch or larger, or smaller hail that caused damage, filed with the largest stone measured.
Tornado: A violently rotating column of air in contact with the ground and extending from a thunderstorm, filed with its path, width and Fujita or Enhanced Fujita rating from the damage survey.

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

The same day elsewhere

Every storm in Illinois in 2009 Every state in 2009 This day in weather history The tornado archive for Illinois, 2009 Warnings in Illinois, May 2009

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: 169105, 174217, 174218, 169085, 169086, 174220, 169087, 169088, 170673, 169089, 170674, 169090, 169091, 174223, 174225, 174227, 174228, 169093, 169092, 169094, 169100, 174229, 174232, 169106, 169107, 171340, 174224, 174233, 169110, 169099, 169111, 169098, 169101, 169108, 169102, 169112, 169103, 169113, 169109, 170666, and more.