A series of disturbances tracking along a nearly stationary frontal boundary resulted in two periods of heavy rainfall across parts of central Illinois on June 25th and June 26th. The hardest hit areas were across southern McLean County into far northern Logan County, as well as across southern portions of Scott and Morgan counties.
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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.
The episode as NWS ILX wrote it up.
A series of disturbances tracking along a nearly stationary frontal boundary resulted in two periods of heavy rainfall across parts of central Illinois on June 25th and June 26th. The hardest hit areas were across southern McLean County into far northern Logan County, as well as across southern portions of Scott and Morgan counties. The first wave of heavy rain began around 7pm CDT June 25th and persisted until around 11pm that evening before tapering off. Rainfall amounts across southern McLean County ranged from 4 to 7 inches in 4 hours, with the heaviest rain extending from near the town of McLean through Bloomington-Normal southeastward toward LeRoy. The second wave of heavy rain occurred during the afternoon of June 26th when additional amounts of 2 to 4 inches fell across the same areas of southern McLean County that had been impacted the previous evening. Storm total rainfall between 6pm CDT June 25th and 6pm CDT June 26th ranged from 6 to 11 inches across southern McLean County, with a maximum amount of 10.71 inches measured 1.5 miles east-southeast of Bloomington...which represented a 1,000-year rainfall (0.1 percent chance of occurring in any given year). Locations from Funks Grove through Shirley to southern and eastern parts of Bloomington experienced a 500-year rainfall (0.2 percent chance of occurring in any given year). Due to the tremendous amount of rainfall, significant flash flooding occurred across central and southern McLean County into far northern Logan County, including the city of Bloomington. Numerous roads were closed due to high water, several water rescues needed to be performed due to stranded motorists, part of the I-55 shoulder collapsed near Kickapoo Creek, and Kickapoo Creek reached record levels and flooded several homes in Lawndale in far northern Logan County.
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 Jun 25, 7:57 PM CST, 2 hours 3 minutes earlier.
Area Forecast Discussion National Weather Service Lincoln IL 857 PM CDT Fri Jun 25 2021 .SYNOPSIS... Issued at 646 PM CDT Fri Jun 25 2021 Thunderstorms will develop across central Illinois this evening...particularly along and north of a Shelbyville to Paris line where some of the storms could potentially produce damaging wind gusts and heavy rainfall. The storms will gradually diminish toward dawn Saturday. && .UPDATE... Issued at 857 PM CDT Fri Jun 25 2021 Thunderstorms continue to develop along an outflow boundary from central Missouri E/NE into central Illinois this evening. The storms are being aided by a 30-40kt 850mb jet oriented from the Ozarks northward into Illinois. 0150z/850pm radar imagery shows the strongest cells along a Jacksonville...to Lincoln...to Bloomington line. Based on radar trends and latest HRRR forecast, think the line will gradually shift southward and will focus along the I-72 corridor for the next few hours. While overall severe threat will decrease as daytime instability wanes, attention will turn to potential flash flooding as training echoes drop locally heavy rainfall across that area. Most model guidance suggests the rainfall will slowly decrease in intensity after midnight as the precip becomes more scattered in nature toward dawn Saturday. Updated the forecast to better reflect PoP trends for the remainder of the night. && .SHORT TERM...(This evening through Saturday) ISSUED AT 343 PM CDT Fri Jun 25 2021 Surface analysis this afternoon depicts a stationary front stretched from northern IL into IA well north of the area. An outflow boundary is positioned across southeast IL into central MO with convection ongoing in our far southeast IL counties as well as new activity firing over central MO as of 3 PM. Elsewhere, a break from the precipitation is occurring with some breaks in the clouds noted across west-central portions of the state. SPC mesoanalysis depicts MLCAPE starting to build northward with clearing, though we remain capped (50-150 J/kg) from about I-70 northward from earlier convection. This will prevent anything from developing in these areas for the next few hours. Confidence in the evolution of activity going into tonight remains low. Once the CAP erodes, scattered storms should develop across west-central IL along the ouflow boundary sometime later this afternoon or early evening, which the 25.18Z HRRR picks up on. However, CAMs have not been performing well. The idea is that coverage will increase by tonight as a few mid-level waves ripple through the southwest flow aloft and the LLJ kicks in. Strong to severe storms remain possible across locations south of I-74 with damaging winds and large hail being the main threats. However, decent low- level shear with a boundary in the area could support a brief tornado or two. Additional rainfall amounts through Saturday morning look to range from 1-2" north of I-70, with higher amounts possible where storms train. With 1 to 3 hr flash flood guidance ranging from 1.5 to 2.5" due to recent soaking rains. Because of this, a Flash Flood Watch remains in effect for counties north of I-70 through Saturday morning. .LONG TERM...(Saturday night through Friday) ISSUED AT 343 PM CDT Fri Jun 25 2021 The upper-level pattern remains in a blocking regime this weekend and even into the new week, keeping periods of showers and storms possible. Shower and storm chances look to taper off Saturday morning as the LLJ recedes. Additional thunderstorm development looks likely along any remnant boundaries by the afternoon into evening hours of Saturday, pending how quickly the atmosphere destabilizes after overnight convection. A similar story going into Sunday with the same set up. All in all, additional rainfall amounts Saturday through Monday morning look to range from 1-3" north of I- 70. Shower and storm chances remain possible through a good portion of the week with the blocking pattern keeping southwest flow positioned over the local area. Let the NBM handle PoPs through the week for the time being. The pattern finally begins to change by the end of the week into next weekend as the ridging over the eastern CONUS/Atlantic breaks down. && .AVIATION...(For the 00Z TAFS through 00Z Saturday evening) Issued at 657 PM CDT Fri Jun 25 2021 Main aviation forecast concern will be timing of convection tonight. Scattered thunderstorms have developed across central Illinois early this evening, but these appear to be missing the terminals. Further upstream, more numerous cells across central/northern Missouri are spreading northeastward across the Mississippi River and will likely impact the TAF sites later this evening into the overnight hours. Based on radar trends and HRRR forecast, have included VCTS at KSPI after 02z...then further northeast to KCMI after 04z. Most models suggest the storms will diminish overnight, with only showers lingering across the area after 09z. As happened last night, forecast soundings show MVFR ceilings overnight into at least Saturday morning. It appears ceilings will improve to VFR at all sites except KPIA by midday. Winds will initially be S at around 10kt this evening, then will veer to S/SW and gust to around 25kt from late Saturday morning through the afternoon. && .ILX WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES... Flash Flood Watch until 7 AM CDT Saturday for ILZ027>031-036>038- 040>057-061. && UPDATE...Barnes SYNOPSIS...Barnes SHORT TERM...NMB LONG TERM...NMB AVIATION...Barnes
Hazardous Weather Outlook National Weather Service Lincoln IL 307 PM CDT Fri Jun 25 2021 ILZ027>031-036>038-261100- Fulton-Knox-Marshall-McLean-Peoria-Stark-Tazewell-Woodford- 307 PM CDT Fri Jun 25 2021 ...FLASH FLOOD WATCH IN EFFECT THROUGH SATURDAY MORNING... This Hazardous Weather Outlook is for portions of central Illinois and west central Illinois. .DAY ONE...TONIGHT... Strong to severe storms are possible this evening. Damaging wind gusts, large hail, and flash flooding are the primary threats, though a brief tornado is possible. .DAYS TWO THROUGH SEVEN...SATURDAY THROUGH THURSDAY... Another round of strong to severe thunderstorms is possible Saturday afternoon into Saturday night and again on Sunday. Damaging wind gusts, large hail, and flash flooding are the main threats. Heavy rainfall remains a concern through the upcoming weekend. The latest indications suggest rainfall totals of 2 to 5 inches north of I-70 through Sunday. This could lead to significant rises on area rivers, creeks, and streams as well as produce flash flooding. .SPOTTER INFORMATION STATEMENT... Spotter activation may be needed later this afternoon and evening. ILZ040>057-061-261100- Cass-Champaign-Christian-Coles-De Witt-Douglas-Edgar-Logan-Macon- Mason-Menard-Morgan-Moultrie-Piatt-Sangamon-Schuyler-Scott-Shelby- Vermilion- 307 PM CDT Fri Jun 25 2021 ...FLASH FLOOD WATCH IN EFFECT THROUGH SATURDAY MORNING... This Hazardous Weather Outlook is for portions of central Illinois, east central Illinois and west central Illinois. .DAY ONE...TONIGHT... Severe storms are possible this evening through tonight. Damaging wind gusts, large hail, and flash flooding are the primary threats, though a brief tornado is also possible. .DAYS TWO THROUGH SEVEN...SATURDAY THROUGH THURSDAY... Another round of strong to severe thunderstorms is possible Saturday afternoon into Saturday night and again on Sunday. Damaging wind gusts, large hail, and flash flooding are the main threats. Heavy rainfall remains a concern through the upcoming weekend. The latest indications suggest rainfall totals of 2 to 5 inches north of I-70 through Sunday. This could lead to significant rises on area rivers, creeks, and streams as well as produce flash flooding. Minor flooding is expected to develop along portions of the Spoon River between London Mills and Seville this weekend and along the Illinois River between Havana and Beardstown early next week. .SPOTTER INFORMATION STATEMENT... Spotter activation may be needed later this afternoon through tonight. ILZ062-063-066>068-071>073-261100- Clark-Clay-Crawford-Cumberland-Effingham-Jasper-Lawrence-Richland- 307 PM CDT Fri Jun 25 2021 This Hazardous Weather Outlook is for portions of east central Illinois and southeast Illinois. .DAY ONE...TONIGHT... Strong to isolated severe storms are possible across southeast IL this evening. Primary threats will be gusty winds, large hail, and heavy rainfall. .DAYS TWO THROUGH SEVEN...SATURDAY THROUGH THURSDAY... Another round of thunderstorms is possible Saturday afternoon into Saturday night and again on Sunday. The severe threat appears low at this time, but locally heavy rain is possible. Periods of showers and storms will occur going into this weekend with rainfall amounts up to 2 inches possible south of I-70 through Sunday. .SPOTTER INFORMATION STATEMENT... Spotter activation may be needed later this afternoon through tonight. Auten
Special Weather Statement National Weather Service Lincoln IL 542 PM CDT Fri Jun 25 2021 ILZ043-044-053-252315- Macon-Piatt-De Witt- 542 PM CDT Fri Jun 25 2021 ...SIGNIFICANT WEATHER ADVISORY FOR WEST CENTRAL PIATT...SOUTHEASTERN DE WITT AND NORTHEASTERN MACON COUNTIES UNTIL 615 PM CDT... At 541 PM CDT, Doppler radar was tracking a strong thunderstorm near Argenta, or 10 miles southeast of Clinton, moving northeast at 25 mph. Wind gusts up to 50 mph will be possible with this storm. Locations impacted include... Monticello, Argenta, De Land, Weldon and Cisco. This includes Interstate 72 between mile markers 151 and 166. PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS... This storm may intensify, so be certain to monitor local radio stations and available television stations for additional information and possible warnings from the National Weather Service. To report severe weather, contact your nearest law enforcement agency. They will relay your report to the National Weather Service office in Lincoln. && A Severe Thunderstorm Watch remains in effect until 1100 PM CDT for central Illinois. LAT...LON 3995 8880 4005 8895 4019 8875 4005 8855 TIME...MOT...LOC 2241Z 241DEG 22KT 4004 8882 Auten
Special Weather Statement National Weather Service Lincoln IL 733 PM CDT Fri Jun 25 2021 ILZ037-038-260115- Tazewell-McLean- 733 PM CDT Fri Jun 25 2021 ...SIGNIFICANT WEATHER ADVISORY FOR SOUTHEASTERN TAZEWELL AND SOUTHWESTERN MCLEAN COUNTIES UNTIL 815 PM CDT... At 732 PM CDT, Doppler radar was tracking a strong thunderstorm over Minier, or 16 miles west of Bloomington, moving east at 20 mph. Wind gusts up to 50 mph will be possible with this storm. Locations impacted include... Bloomington, Normal, Minier, Danvers, Stanford and Shirley. This includes the following highways... Interstate 55 between mile markers 147 and 156, and between mile markers 158 and 162. Interstate 74 between mile markers 128 and 133. PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS... This storm may intensify, so be certain to monitor local radio stations and available television stations for additional information and possible warnings from the National Weather Service. && A Severe Thunderstorm Watch remains in effect until 1100 PM CDT for central Illinois. LAT...LON 4035 8934 4052 8933 4053 8902 4033 8903 TIME...MOT...LOC 0032Z 270DEG 19KT 4042 8928 Auten
PRELIMINARY LOCAL STORM REPORT
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE LINCOLN IL
1058 PM CDT FRI JUN 25 2021
..TIME... ...EVENT... ...CITY LOCATION... ...LAT.LON...
..DATE... ....MAG.... ..COUNTY LOCATION..ST.. ...SOURCE....
..REMARKS..
0605 PM TORNADO 2 WNW CISCO 40.02N 88.76W
06/25/2021 MACON IL PUBLIC
MULTIPLE TOUCHDOWNS REPORTED BETWEEN ARGENTA
AND CISCO BY PUBLIC SPOTTER NETWORK. REPORT
RELAYED VIA SOCIAL MEDIA.
0527 PM TORNADO 4 SE FISHER 40.28N 88.28W
06/25/2021 CHAMPAIGN IL BROADCAST MEDIA
SOCIAL MEDIA PHOTO OF A BRIEF TOUCHDOWN NE
OF MAHOMET.
&&The St Louis radar (KLSX), 106 km away, was scanning. The volume nearest the first event began at 03:57 UTC.
6 flash flood. Local standard time, as filed.
Several roads were flooded south of Winchester and a van was submerged in high water on Route 67 west of Manchester.
Route 267 at New Lake Road just south of Jacksonville and Route 104 near Franklin were both flooded and closed. A car was submerged in high water on Route 67 northwest of Murrayville.
Numerous roads were closed due to flood waters, including Route 136 between Heyworth and McLean. Part of the I-55 shoulder collapsed near Kickapoo Creek southwest of Bloomington, prompting the closure of the interstate. A dive team from Hudson was deployed to rescue a stranded motorist on I-55 southwest of Shirley. Other vehicles were stranded by high water near mile marker 159 on I-55 near Bloomington, at exit 142 on I-74 near the Kickapoo Creek Bridge just west of Downs, and about 2 miles north of LeRoy. A homeowner was stranded by high water surrounding their property a mile north of Heyworth. Nearly 1, 600 homes and 75 businesses were damaged by the flooding, including more than 200 structures that had major damage or were destroyed.
Route 136 was flooded near Sugar Creek. Several other roads were flooded in Atlanta and Lawndale.
Several intersections in Bloomington were flooded. Numerous cars were stranded in high water: however, no water rescues were reported. I-74 near the Downs exit was flooded.
Kickapoo Creek reached record levels, resulting in the flooding of several homes in Lawndale. The basement walls of one house collapsed, destroying the structure.
After NWS Directive 10-1605, the rules offices file Storm Data by.
Every storm in Illinois in 2021Every state in 2021This day in weather historyWarnings in Illinois, June 2021
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: 962036, 962038, 962039, 962343, 962346, 962347.