Flash Flooding and Flooding in Illinois, December 26 to 31, 2015

Name: Flash Flooding and Flooding in Illinois, December 26 to 31, 2015
Start: 2015-12-26T21:15
End: 2015-12-31T15:30
Location: Illinois

December 26 to 31, 2015 · NWS ILX · 12 events in 6 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: 4
Injuries: 0
Property damage: $7.2 million
Crop damage: None recorded
Events: 12

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.

A multi-faceted storm system brought several periods of heavy rain to central and southeast Illinois from December 26th through 28th. The system began to spread rain into the region from the southwest during the early morning hours of Saturday, December 26th, with the rain continuing into Saturday night. By the morning of Sunday, December 27th, widespread 2 to 5-inch totals were reported southeast of a Jacksonville to Rantoul line. This amount of rain falling on saturated soils from recent wet conditions produced widespread flash flooding and fast rises on creeks and streams. After a lull in the rainfall for much of Sunday, another round of rain moved in from the south from Sunday night through the afternoon of Monday, December 28th. Heavy rains of 1 to 3 inches were common across the entire area from this portion of the event, further aggravating existing flooding conditions. Once the flash flooding subsided, ongoing areal flooding persisted through December 31st...with river flooding continuing well into January 2016. Many rivers climbed to major flood stage as a result of the excessive rainfall. The flooding situation was made even worse by levee breaches, including one along the Embarras River near the Jasper-Crawford County line. Four people died as a result of this major flooding event across central Illinois. All four died when their vehicles were swept away by high water in Christian County early in the morning of December 29th.

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 Dec 26, 8:40 PM CST, 35 minutes earlier.

Area forecast discussion, Dec 26, 8:40 PM CST, 35 minutes before

AREA FORECAST DISCUSSION
National Weather Service Lincoln IL
840 PM CST SAT DEC 26 2015

.UPDATE...
ISSUED AT 830 PM CST SAT DEC 26 2015

Rather persistent band of rain and isolated thunderstorms from
this afternoon into early this evening is showing signs of
backing more to the north and northwest as the frontal boundary
over extreme southeast Illinois shifts north. It still appears
the axis of heavy rain will be roughly along the I-72 corridor
and north where we have already received 2 to 3 inches of rain
already. Meanwhile, further north, winds were starting to increase
out of the north as a weak surface low tracks northeast along the
frontal boundary over southeast Illinois. Precipitable water values
on the 00z ILX sounding were up to 1.3 inches this evening, well
above were it should be for late December. Current forecast has
only a few changes to it, mainly for temperatures and winds this
evening, as a result, no ZFP update will be needed at this time.

&&

.SHORT TERM...(Tonight)
ISSUED AT 350 PM CST SAT DEC 26 2015

Steady stream of rain and embedded thunderstorms continues to track
northeast out of Missouri this afternoon. Areas northwest of the
Illinois River have remained on the periphery of the rain through
the day and little has accumulated up there, but a more substantial
northward push is expected this evening as the frontal boundary
starts to pivot a bit. Latest water vapor imagery shows a deep upper
low over southeast Arizona with a steady plume of moisture coming up
from Texas into the Midwest. Precipitable water values remain in
record territory for late December, around 1.4 inches through
tonight, although some decrease will occur from the northwest late
as the frontal boundary tracks southeast again. Another 1.5 to 2.5
inches of rain is likely across the watch area overnight. Have
maintained thunder mention over most areas southeast of the Illinois
River with a few hundred J/kg of MUCAPE available, with some more
numerous storms south of I-70.

.LONG TERM...(Sunday through Saturday)
ISSUED AT 350 PM CST SAT DEC 26 2015

Two largest concerns this forecast period: 1. Heavy rain and
flooding potential from around I-72 corridor southward through
Monday afternoon, and 2. potential for significant icing from
freezing rain northwest of the Illinois River Sunday night/Monday
morning.

The flash flood watch will continue through Monday afternoon for
areas along and south of the I-72 corridor where storm total
rainfall of 4 to 5 inches is expected beginning Saturday morning
through Monday evening. Have already seen reports to around 1.75
inch of rainfall from morning rain/thunderstorms inside a swath
from around Taylorville to Danville.

While rainfall looks to be on the lighter side Sunday
morning...another round of moderate to heavy rain looks to spread NE
across central IL late in the day sunday as the intense low
currently over the Southwest approaches. Precipitable water values
approaching 1.25 inches will wrap around the low...and enough
instability indicated for a chance of thunderstorms south of a line
from Springfield to Paris. Temperatures will max out around 39 at
Galesburg to 53 at Lawrenceville Sunday...cooling off through the
day as colder air pushes in from the NW.

Freezing rain will be a possibility Sunday night as the push of low
level cold air continues northwest of the Illinois River Sunday
night. Although uncertainty with timing and extent of subfreezing
temperatures exist...accumulations could be rapid for several hours
starting early Monday morning and have issued a winter storm watch
for Knox and Stark counties for the potential of significant icing
to around one quarter inch. Temperatures look to rise above freezing
Monday afternoon ending the ice accumulation threat.

East to northeast Winds will become substantial Sunday night through
Monday...with speeds 20 to 30 mph mainly north of I-70 as intense
pressure gradients surrounding the low arrive.

The 12Z extended forecast models and their ensembles are in good
agreement with a cooler and drier weather pattern setting up during
2nd half of week. A weak weather system to move into the Midwest on
Wednesday and bring small chances of light rain and snow to central
IL with mainly light rain chances southeast of I-70. Deeper moisture
to stay SE of IL Wed so any precipitation that occurs will be quite
light. Highs Wed mainly in the 30s with some lower 40s southeast of
I-70. Large Canadian high pressure settling into the nations
heartland, brings even cooler temperatures Thu thru Saturday to
central IL despite return of partly sunny skies with highs in mid to
20s to around 30 northern CWA and 30-35 southeast of I-70.

&&

.AVIATION...(For the 00Z TAFS through 00Z Sunday evening)
ISSUED AT 500 PM CST SAT DEC 26 2015

Large area of rain continues to stream northeast out of Missouri
late this afternoon and that is expected to continue through the
overnight hours as well bringing mostly IFR/LIFR conditions to
the forecast area. Rain with isolated TSRA are expected with the
better thunder chances mostly around SPI and DEC. The rain looks
to begin to taper off from northwest to southeast later tomorrow
morning into the afternoon as one phase of the storm moves out of
the area. Still looking at least MVFR cigs during the day with
some IFR conditions where the rain lingers longer, mainly at SPI
and DEC.

Surface winds will be variable in direction for the next few
hours but are expected to shift into the north to the northeast
and increase over the area after 02z, with speeds in the 10 to 15
kt range thru about 07z before winds increase to 12 to 17 kts with
gusts up to 27 kts at times into Sunday morning. During the day
Sunday, we look for winds in the 360-030 direction at 20 to 30 kts
with gusts to around 35 kts at times as the main part of the storm
starts to move in our direction.

&&

.HYDROLOGY...
ISSUED AT 350 PM CST SAT DEC 26 2015

Widespread river flooding is anticipated to develop over the next
couple days, due to the large area of 2 to 5 inch rains forecast.
Have issued some sort of statement or outlook for all 16 river
forecast points in our CWA. With a lot of it based on QPF, we issued
Hydrologic Outlooks for the Mackinaw, Vermilion, Sangamon and
Vermilion Rivers, as well as Salt Creek near Greenview and the
Illinois River at Henry. At the moment, the only river that may be
borderline in terms of flood potential is the Spoon River, but the
forecast QPF does bring London Mills very close to flood stage. With
the rains that have occurred so far today heavier than expected due
to the morning convection, flood warnings may need to be expanded
with the evening hydrologic model run. This would be most likely
with the Sangamon River.

&&

.ILX Watches/Warnings/Advisories...
Winter Storm Watch from late Sunday night through Monday
afternoon for ILZ027-028.

Flash Flood Watch through Monday afternoon for ILZ044>046-
049>057-061>063-066>068-071>073.

&&

UPDATE...Smith
SHORT TERM...Geelhart
LONG TERM...Onton
AVIATION...Smith
HYDROLOGY...Geelhart

Hazardous weather outlook, Dec 26, 3:20 PM CST, 5 hours 55 minutes before

HAZARDOUS WEATHER OUTLOOK
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE LINCOLN IL
320 PM CST SAT DEC 26 2015

ILZ027-028-271200-
KNOX-STARK-
320 PM CST SAT DEC 26 2015

...WINTER STORM WATCH IN EFFECT FROM LATE SUNDAY NIGHT THROUGH
MONDAY AFTERNOON...

THIS HAZARDOUS WEATHER OUTLOOK IS FOR KNOX AND STARK COUNTIES.

.DAY ONE...TONIGHT

PERIODS OF RAIN WILL CONTINUE THROUGH TONIGHT. RAINFALL AMOUNTS
AROUND A HALF INCH ARE LIKELY.

.DAYS TWO THROUGH SEVEN...SUNDAY THROUGH FRIDAY

TOTAL PRECIPITATION AMOUNTS AROUND 2 INCHES IS LIKELY BY THE TIME
THE STORM SYSTEM EXITS MONDAY NIGHT. THIS MAY CAUSE PONDING OF
WATER IN LOW SPOTS AND OTHER FLOOD PRONE AREAS.

THERE WILL BE A CHANCE OF FREEZING RAIN LATE SUNDAY NIGHT AND
MONDAY MORNING...BEFORE THE PRECIPITATION CHANGES BACK OVER TO
RAIN. ICE ACCUMULATIONS OF A TENTH TO QUARTER INCH ARE
POSSIBLE...WHICH WOULD CAUSE SIGNIFICANT TRAVEL DIFFICULTIES
BEFORE TEMPERATURES WARM ABOVE FREEZING BY MIDDAY MONDAY. THE RAIN
IS EXPECTED TO CHANGE OVER TO SNOW BEFORE THE PRECIPITATION ENDS
MONDAY NIGHT...BUT ANY SNOW ACCUMULATIONS SHOULD BE MINOR.

.SPOTTER INFORMATION STATEMENT...

SPOTTER ACTIVATION WILL NOT BE NEEDED THROUGH TONIGHT. HOWEVER...
RAINFALL MEASUREMENTS THE NEXT FEW DAYS WOULD BE GREATLY
APPRECIATED.

ILZ029>031-036>038-040>043-047-048-271200-
CASS-DE WITT-FULTON-LOGAN-MARSHALL-MASON-MCLEAN-MENARD-PEORIA-
SCHUYLER-TAZEWELL-WOODFORD-
320 PM CST SAT DEC 26 2015

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

.DAY ONE...TONIGHT

PERIODS OF LOCALLY HEAVY RAINFALL ARE LIKELY TONIGHT. ADDITIONAL
RAINFALL AMOUNTS UP TO AN INCH ARE LIKELY...WITH THE HIGHEST
TOTALS SOUTH OF PEORIA.

.DAYS TWO THROUGH SEVEN...SUNDAY THROUGH FRIDAY

TOTAL PRECIPITATION AMOUNTS OF 2 TO 4 INCHES ARE LIKELY THROUGH
MONDAY NIGHT...WITH THE HEAVIER TOTALS FURTHER SOUTH TOWARD THE
I-72 CORRIDOR. THIS WILL CAUSE THE DEVELOPMENT OF WIDESPREAD
RIVER FLOODING BY MONDAY.

THERE WILL BE A CHANCE OF FREEZING RAIN LATE SUNDAY NIGHT AND
MONDAY MORNING...MAINLY NORTHWEST OF THE ILLINOIS RIVER...BEFORE
THE PRECIPITATION CHANGES BACK OVER TO RAIN. MINOR ICE
ACCUMULATIONS ARE POSSIBLE...WHICH MAY CAUSE TRAVEL DIFFICULTIES.
THE RAIN IS EXPECTED TO CHANGE OVER TO SNOW BEFORE THE
PRECIPITATION ENDS MONDAY NIGHT...BUT ANY SNOW ACCUMULATIONS
SHOULD BE MINOR.

.SPOTTER INFORMATION STATEMENT...

SPOTTER ACTIVATION WILL NOT BE NEEDED THROUGH TONIGHT. HOWEVER...
RAINFALL MEASUREMENTS THE NEXT FEW DAYS WOULD BE GREATLY
APPRECIATED.

ILZ049-050-271200-
MORGAN-SCOTT-
320 PM CST SAT DEC 26 2015

...FLASH FLOOD WATCH IN EFFECT THROUGH MONDAY AFTERNOON...

THIS HAZARDOUS WEATHER OUTLOOK IS FOR PORTIONS OF WEST CENTRAL
ILLINOIS.

.DAY ONE...TONIGHT

PERIODS OF LOCALLY HEAVY RAINFALL AND THUNDERSTORMS ARE EXPECTED
THROUGH TONIGHT. ADDITIONAL RAINFALL OF 1.5 TO 2 INCHES IS LIKELY
BY SUNRISE.

.DAYS TWO THROUGH SEVEN...SUNDAY THROUGH FRIDAY

PERIODS OF MODERATE TO HEAVY RAIN ARE LIKELY SUNDAY THROUGH
MONDAY EVENING...WITH TOTAL RAINFALL AMOUNTS OF 3 TO 5 INCHES.
THE RAIN MAY BE ACCOMPANIED BY THUNDERSTORMS AT TIMES. AREAS OF
FLOODING MAY DEVELOP WITH TIME. MINOR FLOODING IS ALSO EXPECTED TO
DEVELOP ON THE ILLINOIS RIVER THIS WEEKEND...WITH RISES CONTINUING
INTO EARLY NEXT WEEK.

.SPOTTER INFORMATION STATEMENT...

SPOTTER ACTIVATION WILL NOT BE NEEDED THROUGH TONIGHT. HOWEVER...
RAINFALL MEASUREMENTS THE NEXT FEW DAYS WOULD BE GREATLY
APPRECIATED.

ILZ044>046-051>057-061>063-066>068-071>073-271200-
CHAMPAIGN-CHRISTIAN-CLARK-CLAY-COLES-CRAWFORD-CUMBERLAND-DOUGLAS-
EDGAR-EFFINGHAM-JASPER-LAWRENCE-MACON-MOULTRIE-PIATT-RICHLAND-
SANGAMON-SHELBY-VERMILION-
320 PM CST SAT DEC 26 2015

...FLASH FLOOD WATCH IN EFFECT THROUGH MONDAY AFTERNOON...

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

.DAY ONE...TONIGHT

PERIODS OF MODERATE TO HEAVY RAINFALL AND THUNDERSTORMS ARE
EXPECTED THROUGH TONIGHT. THERE IS A CHANCE THAT SOME OF THE
STRONGER STORMS MAY CONTAIN WIND GUSTS TO 50 MPH. ADDITIONAL
RAINFALL OF 1.5 TO 2.5 INCHES IS LIKELY TONIGHT...WITH LOCAL
HEAVIER AMOUNTS.

.DAYS TWO THROUGH SEVEN...SUNDAY THROUGH FRIDAY

PERIODS OF MODERATE TO HEAVY RAIN ARE EXPECTED FROM SUNDAY THROUGH
MONDAY NIGHT...ACCOMPANIED BY THUNDERSTORMS AT TIMES. TOTAL
RAINFALL AMOUNTS OF 4 TO 6 INCHES ARE LIKELY...WHICH COULD CAUSE
FLOODING OF ROADWAYS AND LOW SPOTS. THE HEAVIEST RAIN IS EXPECTED
TO BE LOCATED IN AREAS BETWEEN I-72 AND I-70. WIDESPREAD RIVER
FLOODING IS EXPECTED TO DEVELOP BY MONDAY.

.SPOTTER INFORMATION STATEMENT...

LIMITED SPOTTER ACTIVATION MAY BE NEEDED THIS AFTERNOON AND
EVENING. RAINFALL REPORTS THE NEXT FEW DAYS WOULD ALSO BE GREATLY
APPRECIATED.

GEELHART

In the hours before

Local storm report, Dec 26, 4:56 PM CST, 4 hours 19 minutes before

PRELIMINARY LOCAL STORM REPORT
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE LINCOLN IL
456 PM CST SAT DEC 26 2015

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

0455 PM     FLOOD            PANA                    39.39N 89.08W
12/26/2015                   CHRISTIAN          IL   MESONET

            MULTIPLE STREETS FLOODED WITH 1 TO 2 INCHES OF FLOWING
            WATER OVER SOME. SWOP REPORT

&&

GEELHART

Local storm report, Dec 26, 5:09 PM CST, 4 hours 6 minutes before

PRELIMINARY LOCAL STORM REPORT
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE LINCOLN IL
509 PM CST SAT DEC 26 2015

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

0500 PM     HEAVY RAIN       2 S DECATUR             39.82N 88.93W
12/26/2015  M1.69 INCH       MACON              IL   BROADCAST MEDIA

            AT WAND-TV STUDIOS

0500 PM     HEAVY RAIN       COLES COUNTY AIRPORT    39.48N 88.28W
12/26/2015  M1.76 INCH       COLES              IL   ASOS

0500 PM     HEAVY RAIN       WILLARD AIRPORT         40.04N 88.28W
12/26/2015  M1.31 INCH       CHAMPAIGN          IL   ASOS

0500 PM     HEAVY RAIN       DECATUR AIRPORT         39.83N 88.87W
12/26/2015  M1.79 INCH       MACON              IL   ASOS

&&

GEELHART

Local storm report, Dec 26, 5:17 PM CST, 3 hours 58 minutes before

PRELIMINARY LOCAL STORM REPORT
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE LINCOLN IL
517 PM CST SAT DEC 26 2015

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

0400 PM     HEAVY RAIN       ARCOLA                  39.68N 88.30W
12/26/2015  E2.00 INCH       DOUGLAS            IL   PUBLIC

            PUBLIC REPORT VIA FACEBOOK

&&

GEELHART

Local storm report, Dec 26, 6:42 PM CST, 2 hours 33 minutes before

PRELIMINARY LOCAL STORM REPORT
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE LINCOLN IL
642 PM CST SAT DEC 26 2015

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

0600 PM     HEAVY RAIN       DECATUR AIRPORT         39.83N 88.87W
12/26/2015  M1.91 INCH       MACON              IL   ASOS

0600 PM     HEAVY RAIN       COLES COUNTY AIRPORT    39.48N 88.28W
12/26/2015  M1.93 INCH       COLES              IL   ASOS

0600 PM     HEAVY RAIN       WATSON                  39.03N 88.57W
12/26/2015  M1.17 INCH       EFFINGHAM          IL   MESONET

            RAINFALL SINCE 0730 AM

0600 PM     HEAVY RAIN       WILLARD AIRPORT         40.04N 88.28W
12/26/2015  M1.45 INCH       CHAMPAIGN          IL   ASOS

&&

EJL

Local storm report, Dec 26, 9:05 PM CST, 10 minutes before

PRELIMINARY LOCAL STORM REPORT
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE LINCOLN IL
905 PM CST SAT DEC 26 2015

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

0700 PM     FLOOD            2 N EFFINGHAM           39.15N 88.55W
12/26/2015                   EFFINGHAM          IL   EMERGENCY MNGR

            SEVERAL FEET OF STANDING WATER OVER ROAD AT 1800 STREET
            AND TWIN OAKS SUBDIVISION

0700 PM     HEAVY RAIN       DANVILLE                40.14N 87.62W
12/26/2015  M1.80 INCH       VERMILION          IL   COCORAHS

            RAINFALL THE PAST 9 HOURS

0715 PM     HEAVY RAIN       SULLIVAN                39.60N 88.61W
12/26/2015  M2.31 INCH       MOULTRIE           IL   MESONET

            STORM TOTAL SO FAR...SWOP REPORT

0715 PM     HEAVY RAIN       SHELBYVILLE             39.41N 88.80W
12/26/2015  M2.79 INCH       SHELBY             IL   MESONET

            STORM TOTAL RAINFALL SO FAR...SWOP REPORT

0730 PM     HEAVY RAIN       MATTOON                 39.48N 88.37W
12/26/2015  M1.93 INCH       COLES              IL   MESONET

            STORM TOTAL RAINFALL SO FAR...SWOP REPORT

0800 PM     HEAVY RAIN       DANVILLE                40.14N 87.62W
12/26/2015  M1.61 INCH       VERMILION          IL   EMERGENCY MNGR

            STORM TOTAL RAINFALL SO FAR

0810 PM     HEAVY RAIN       OGDEN                   40.12N 87.96W
12/26/2015  M1.75 INCH       CHAMPAIGN          IL   MESONET

            STORM TOTAL RAINFALL SO FAR...SWOP REPORT

0830 PM     HEAVY RAIN       SPRINGFIELD             39.78N 89.64W
12/26/2015  M1.02 INCH       SANGAMON           IL   MESONET

            STORM TOTAL RAINFALL SO FAR...SWOP REPORT

0830 PM     HEAVY RAIN       MOUNT PULASKI           40.01N 89.28W
12/26/2015  M1.19 INCH       LOGAN              IL   CO-OP OBSERVER

            STORM TOTAL RAINFALL SO FAR

&&

EJL

Local storm report, Dec 26, 9:11 PM CST, 4 minutes before

PRELIMINARY LOCAL STORM REPORT...SUMMARY
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE LINCOLN IL
911 PM CST SAT DEC 26 2015

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

0326 PM     HEAVY RAIN       DANVILLE                40.14N 87.62W
12/26/2015  M1.06 INCH       VERMILION          IL   EMERGENCY MNGR

0330 PM     FLOOD            CHARLESTON              39.48N 88.18W
12/26/2015                   COLES              IL   PUBLIC

            PONDING OF WATER IN LOCALIZED AREAS

0400 PM     HEAVY RAIN       ARCOLA                  39.68N 88.30W
12/26/2015  E2.00 INCH       DOUGLAS            IL   PUBLIC

            PUBLIC REPORT VIA FACEBOOK

0421 PM     HEAVY RAIN       OGDEN                   40.12N 87.96W
12/26/2015  M1.25 INCH       CHAMPAIGN          IL   CO-OP OBSERVER

            SINCE 845 AM

0421 PM     HEAVY RAIN       MATTOON                 39.48N 88.37W
12/26/2015  M1.58 INCH       COLES              IL   MESONET

            SWOP REPORT

0421 PM     HEAVY RAIN       TAYLORVILLE             39.52N 89.26W
12/26/2015  M2.15 INCH       CHRISTIAN          IL   CO-OP OBSERVER

            SINCE 7 AM

0430 PM     FLOOD            ROYAL                   40.19N 87.97W
12/26/2015                   CHAMPAIGN          IL   PUBLIC

            PONDING OF WATER ON SECONDARY ROAD JUST NORTH OF TOWN.
            REPORT VIA TWITTER

0430 PM     HEAVY RAIN       CHARLESTON              39.48N 88.18W
12/26/2015  M2.61 INCH       COLES              IL   PUBLIC

            EAST SIDE OF CHARLESTON. REPORT VIA FACEBOOK

0430 PM     FLOOD            MORRISONVILLE           39.42N 89.46W
12/26/2015                   CHRISTIAN          IL   LAW ENFORCEMENT

            WATER COVERING HIGHWAY 48 SOUTHWEST OF MORRISONVILLE

0455 PM     FLOOD            PANA                    39.39N 89.08W
12/26/2015                   CHRISTIAN          IL   MESONET

            MULTIPLE STREETS FLOODED WITH 1 TO 2 INCHES OF FLOWING
            WATER OVER SOME. SWOP REPORT

0500 PM     HEAVY RAIN       2 S DECATUR             39.82N 88.93W
12/26/2015  M1.69 INCH       MACON              IL   BROADCAST MEDIA

            AT WAND-TV STUDIOS

0500 PM     HEAVY RAIN       DECATUR AIRPORT         39.83N 88.87W
12/26/2015  M1.79 INCH       MACON              IL   ASOS

0500 PM     HEAVY RAIN       WILLARD AIRPORT         40.04N 88.28W
12/26/2015  M1.31 INCH       CHAMPAIGN          IL   ASOS

0500 PM     HEAVY RAIN       COLES COUNTY AIRPORT    39.48N 88.28W
12/26/2015  M1.76 INCH       COLES              IL   ASOS

0600 PM     HEAVY RAIN       WATSON                  39.03N 88.57W
12/26/2015  M1.17 INCH       EFFINGHAM          IL   MESONET

            RAINFALL SINCE 0730 AM

0600 PM     HEAVY RAIN       COLES COUNTY AIRPORT    39.48N 88.28W
12/26/2015  M1.93 INCH       COLES              IL   ASOS

0600 PM     HEAVY RAIN       DECATUR AIRPORT         39.83N 88.87W
12/26/2015  M1.91 INCH       MACON              IL   ASOS

0600 PM     HEAVY RAIN       WILLARD AIRPORT         40.04N 88.28W
12/26/2015  M1.45 INCH       CHAMPAIGN          IL   ASOS

0700 PM     HEAVY RAIN       DANVILLE                40.14N 87.62W
12/26/2015  M1.80 INCH       VERMILION          IL   COCORAHS

            RAINFALL THE PAST 9 HOURS

0700 PM     FLOOD            2 N EFFINGHAM           39.15N 88.55W
12/26/2015                   EFFINGHAM          IL   EMERGENCY MNGR

            SEVERAL FEET OF STANDING WATER OVER ROAD AT 1800 STREET
            AND TWIN OAKS SUBDIVISION

0715 PM     HEAVY RAIN       SHELBYVILLE             39.41N 88.80W
12/26/2015  M2.79 INCH       SHELBY             IL   MESONET

            STORM TOTAL RAINFALL SO FAR...SWOP REPORT

0715 PM     HEAVY RAIN       SULLIVAN                39.60N 88.61W
12/26/2015  M2.31 INCH       MOULTRIE           IL   MESONET

            STORM TOTAL SO FAR...SWOP REPORT

0730 PM     HEAVY RAIN       MATTOON                 39.48N 88.37W
12/26/2015  M1.93 INCH       COLES              IL   MESONET

            STORM TOTAL RAINFALL SO FAR...SWOP REPORT

0800 PM     HEAVY RAIN       DANVILLE                40.14N 87.62W
12/26/2015  M1.61 INCH       VERMILION          IL   EMERGENCY MNGR

            STORM TOTAL RAINFALL SO FAR

0810 PM     HEAVY RAIN       OGDEN                   40.12N 87.96W
12/26/2015  M1.75 INCH       CHAMPAIGN          IL   MESONET

            STORM TOTAL RAINFALL SO FAR...SWOP REPORT

0830 PM     HEAVY RAIN       MOUNT PULASKI           40.01N 89.28W
12/26/2015  M1.19 INCH       LOGAN              IL   CO-OP OBSERVER

            STORM TOTAL RAINFALL SO FAR

0830 PM     HEAVY RAIN       SPRINGFIELD             39.78N 89.64W
12/26/2015  M1.02 INCH       SANGAMON           IL   MESONET

            STORM TOTAL RAINFALL SO FAR...SWOP REPORT

&&

EJL

The radar

The Lincoln radar (KILX), 59 km away, was scanning. The volume nearest the first event began at 03:16 UTC.

Open the radar archive at this moment

Event by event

6 flash flood, 6 flood. Local standard time, as filed.

Flash Flood, Christian

When: December 26, 9:15 PM CST to December 27, 4:00 AM CST
Where: Christian County, 4.46 mi NNW of Sicily to 2.59 mi S of Harvel
Cause: Heavy Rain
Reported by: Emergency Manager
Coordinates: 39.639, -89.533

Flash Flood, Shelby

When: December 26, 10:00 PM CST to December 27, 4:00 AM CST
Where: Shelby County, 2.31 mi N of Moweaqua to 6.53 mi SW of Tower Hill
Cause: Heavy Rain
Reported by: Emergency Manager
Coordinates: 39.653, -89.026

Flash Flood, Moultrie

When: December 26, 10:00 PM CST to December 27, 4:00 AM CST
Where: Moultrie County, 1.04 mi E of Gays to 4.23 mi NNE of Fairbanks
Cause: Heavy Rain
Reported by: Law Enforcement
Coordinates: 39.448, -88.481

Flash Flood, Douglas

When: December 26, 10:45 PM CST to December 27, 6:30 AM CST
Where: Douglas County, 5.9 mi NNW of Garrett to 6.03 mi S of Arthur
Cause: Heavy Rain
Reported by: Emergency Manager
Coordinates: 39.879, -88.462

Flash Flood, Macon

When: December 26, 11:00 PM CST to December 27, 4:00 AM CST
Where: Macon County, 6.89 mi SSW of Prairie Hall to 3.34 mi WSW of Prairie Hall
Cause: Heavy Rain
Reported by: Emergency Manager
Coordinates: 39.654, -88.813

Flash Flood, Effingham

When: December 27, 12:00 AM CST to 4:00 AM CST
Where: Effingham County, 2.39 mi NE of Green Creek to 2.87 mi NW of Beecher City
Cause: Heavy Rain
Reported by: Emergency Manager
Coordinates: 39.219, -88.483

Flood, Christian

When: December 27, 4:00 AM CST to December 31, 3:30 PM CST
Where: Christian County, 4.29 mi NNE of Sicily to 2.01 mi NNW of Sicily
Cause: Heavy Rain
Deaths: 4 direct, 0 indirect
Property damage: $2.8 million
Reported by: Emergency Manager
Coordinates: 39.639, -89.477

An extended period of heavy rain during the evening of December 26th in Christian County combined with an already saturated ground to produce flash flooding. Rainfall amounts ranged from 2.50 to 4.50 inches in less than six hours, with the heaviest rain in the southern half of the county. Most rural roads and state highways were flooded and impassable. City streets in Taylorville and Pana were also flooded. The flooding continued through all of December 27th. Additional rainfall of 2.50 to 4.75 from December 28th into the 29th aggravated the flooding situation significantly. Every road in the county was flooded which resulted in a shortage of barricades to close the roads. The village of Kincaid was hardest hit as the South Fork of the Sangamon River overtopped levees and flooded the southeast part of town for the first time in its history. People had to be rescued by boat as all roads in and out of town were flooded. Three houses were destroyed by the flooding in Kincaid, with 41 others damaged. Four fatalities occurred in two separate incidents early in the morning of December 29th. Two 18 year old males died as their pickup truck was swept away in flood waters near the South Fork of the Sangamon River and Illinois Route 104 about one mile southeast of Kincaid. Two other people died as their van was swept into the Buckhart Creek about 5 miles ENE of Edinburg. The flooding finally subsided by the afternoon of December 31st, more than four days after it started.

Flood, Shelby

When: December 27, 4:00 AM CST to December 31, 3:30 PM CST
Where: Shelby County, 2.31 mi N of Moweaqua to 6.53 mi SW of Tower Hill
Cause: Heavy Rain
Property damage: $1.0 million
Reported by: Emergency Manager
Coordinates: 39.653, -89.026

An extended period of heavy rain during the evening of December 26th in Shelby County combined with an already saturated ground to produce flash flooding. Rainfall amounts ranged from 3.65 to 5.20 inches in less than six hours, with the heaviest rain in the western half of the county. Most rural roads and state highways were flooded and impassable. City streets in Shelbyville were also flooded. The flooding continued through all of December 27th. Additional rainfall of 1.75 to 3.75 from December 28th into the 29th aggravated the flooding situation significantly. The towns of Windsor, Tower Hill, Oconee and Shelbyville had the most flood damage to roads and basements. Every road in the county was flooded, until the water finally subsided by the afternoon of December 31st, more than four days after it started.

Flood, Macon

When: December 27, 4:00 AM CST to December 30, 3:30 PM CST
Where: Macon County, 6.89 mi SSW of Prairie Hall to 3.34 mi WSW of Prairie Hall
Cause: Heavy Rain
Property damage: $400,000
Reported by: Emergency Manager
Coordinates: 39.654, -88.813

An extended period of heavy rain during the late evening of December 26th in Macon County combined with an already saturated ground to produce flash flooding. Rainfall amounts ranged from 3.00 to 3.50 inches in less than six hours, with the heaviest rain in the southern half of the county. Most rural roads and state highways were flooded and impassable. Locations from Blue Mound through Macon toward Dalton City and south toward the county line with Christian and Shelby County were the most impacted. The flooding continued through all of December 27th. Additional rainfall of 2.30 to 2.70 from December 28th into the 29th aggravated the flooding situation significantly, and spread into the central part of the county, resulting in basement flooding in many parts of Decatur. Nearly every road between State Route 48 and 121 in southern Macon County was flooded for about three days. The flood water finally subsided by the afternoon of December 30th.

Flood, Moultrie

When: December 27, 4:00 AM CST to December 31, 3:30 PM CST
Where: Moultrie County, 1.04 mi E of Gays to 4.23 mi NNE of Fairbanks
Cause: Heavy Rain
Property damage: $500,000
Reported by: Law Enforcement
Coordinates: 39.448, -88.481

An extended period of heavy rain during the late evening of December 26th in Moultrie County combined with an already saturated ground to produce flash flooding. Rainfall amounts ranged from 4.00 to 5.50 inches in less than six hours. Most rural roads and state highways were flooded and impassable. Bethany, Lovington and Sullivan were the most impacted with city streets inundated and basements flooded. The flooding continued through all of December 27th. Additional rainfall of 1.50 to 2.00 from December 28th into the 29th aggravated the flooding situation significantly. Every rural road and most state highways were flooded for nearly four days. The flood water finally subsided by the afternoon of December 31st.

Flood, Effingham

When: December 27, 4:00 AM CST to December 31, 12:00 PM CST
Where: Effingham County, 2.39 mi NE of Green Creek to 2.85 mi NW of Beecher City
Cause: Heavy Rain
Property damage: $300,000
Reported by: Emergency Manager
Coordinates: 39.219, -88.483

An extended period of heavy rain during the late evening of December 26th in northwest Effingham County combined with an already saturated ground to produce flash flooding. Rainfall amounts ranged from 2.75 to 4.00 inches in less than six hours. Most rural roads and state highways were flooded and impassable northwest of Interstate 70. Beecher City, Altamont and Shumway were the most impacted with flooded streets and basements. Several streets were also flooded in the city of Effingham. The flooding continued through all of December 27th. Additional rainfall of 2.40 to 3.00 from December 28th into the 29th aggravated the flooding situation significantly and spread into the remainder of the county. Every rural road and most state highways were flooded for nearly four days. The flood water finally subsided by the afternoon of December 31st.

Flood, Douglas

When: December 27, 6:30 AM CST to December 31, 3:30 PM CST
Where: Douglas County, 5.9 mi NNW of Garrett to 6.03 mi S of Arthur
Cause: Heavy Rain
Property damage: $2.2 million
Reported by: Emergency Manager
Coordinates: 39.879, -88.462

An extended period of heavy rain during the late evening of December 26th in Douglas County combined with an already saturated ground to produce flash flooding. Rainfall amounts ranged from 4.00 to 4.25 inches in less than six hours. Most rural roads and state highways were flooded and impassable. Tuscola, Arcola, Villa Grove and Newman were the most impacted with severely flooded streets and basements. The flooding continued through all of December 27th. Additional rainfall of 1.50 to 2.75 from December 28th into the 29th aggravated the flooding situation significantly. More than 120 buildings and homes were damaged in various locations across the county, 23 of which sustained major flood damage. Every rural road and most state highways and city streets were flooded for nearly four days. The flood water finally subsided by the afternoon of December 31st.

The people who died

As the offices recorded each death: direct deaths were caused by the weather itself, indirect ones by something it set in motion.

Event	Date	Age	Sex	Where	Kind
Flood, Christian	2015-12-29	18	Male	Vehicle/Towed Trailer	Direct
Flood, Christian	2015-12-29	18	Male	Vehicle/Towed Trailer	Direct
Flood, Christian	2015-12-29	49	Male	Vehicle/Towed Trailer	Direct
Flood, Christian	2015-12-29	46	Female	Vehicle/Towed Trailer	Direct

What these are

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.
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

Every storm in Illinois in 2015 Every state in 2015 This day in weather history Warnings in Illinois, December 2015

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: 613480, 613482, 613488, 613495, 613486, 613491, 613481, 613484, 613487, 613490, 613492, 613496.