Multiple rounds of showers and thunderstorms produced heavy rainfall (2-5) across much of southern Illinois through the afternoon and evening of the 15th. The heavy rainfall resulted in flash flooding north of Golconda where a creek overflowed its banks.
Every event with a place to put it. Tap one for its entry below.
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 PAH wrote it up.
Multiple rounds of showers and thunderstorms produced heavy rainfall (2-5) across much of southern Illinois through the afternoon and evening of the 15th. The heavy rainfall resulted in flash flooding north of Golconda where a creek overflowed its banks. Minor flooding of the usual trouble spots occurred in Metropolis.
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 Paducah, KY wrote its last area forecast discussion before the first event at Feb 15, 5:43 PM CST, 1 hour 17 minutes earlier. Its key messages:
Area Forecast Discussion National Weather Service Paducah KY Issued by National Weather Service Quad Cities IA IL 543 PM CST Sat Feb 15 2025 .KEY MESSAGES... - A major, potentially historic, flash flood event is ongoing this afternoon across portions west Kentucky and southwest Indiana and adjacent parts of southern Illinois and southeast Missouri. - A few thunderstorms are possible this afternoon and into the evening. Some of these may become strong to severe along the Kentucky-Tennessee border. Damaging wind gusts and possibly a brief tornado or two are the main threats. - A brief change over to snow is possible overnight as colder air filters in. Light snow accumulation's are possible. - Accumulating snowfall is becoming increasingly likely Tuesday into Wednesday with travel impacts possible. - Dangerous, bitter cold is forecast for most of next week. Low temperatures in the single digits and subzero wind chills are forecast the latter half of next week. && .DISCUSSION... Issued at 216 PM CST Sat Feb 15 2025 A major flash flood event is ongoing this afternoon. Regional radar shows widespread rain moving west to east through the region. Cooler cloud tops and lightning have developed to the south which will only exacerbate ongoing flooding issues with heavier rain rates at times. Several flash flood warnings are currently in effect across western Kentucky where radar and gage estimates of 2-4 inches (locally higher) of rain has already fallen. Given the increasing convective nature of these rain showers, conditions are only expected to worsen over the afternoon and evening. We continue to highlight this as a dangerous and major/potentially historic flash flood event. The threat remains for strong to severe storms this afternoon. This all comes down to whether we see any updrafts becoming surface based. Some hi-res sources suggest this may occur but the window looks small and only confined to the far southeast corner of our forecast area from roughly Calloway to Todd counties in Kentucky. If we do see surface-based instability, a few mesovorticies may develop with in the main squall line, with a locally enhanced straight-line wind and spin-up tornado risk. A cold front will move through the region tonight bringing a blast of Arctic air for tonight and sets the stage for a week long period of much colder weather. Upper level ascent still looks pretty strong overnight as a band of snow showers moves across the region. Some of this snow may be heavy at times as there is a very short window of time where the moisture and lift align well in the DGZ. We could see a dusting to 1 inch of snow overnight along with the possibility of moisture on roadways freezing. Confidence continues to further increase that a period of accumulating snow will impact the region Tuesday night into Wednesday. The trend with the NBM and ensembles solutions has been increasing as we get closer to this event. NBM probability of greater than 2 inches of snow is now 70-90% and 50-70% chance of 4 inches or more. Still plenty of time for changes but confidence is only increasing that impactful heavy snow will arrive Tuesday PM into Wednesday. Behind this system, very cold temperatures settle into the region as Arctic high pressure dives into the Midwest. Highs will only reach the teens to lower 20's Wednesday through Friday with lows in the single digits possible. Wind chills below zero appear likely as well. While we saw some of these temperatures back in January, its possible we may see very similar conditions if not colder this week. && .AVIATION /00Z TAFS THROUGH 00Z MONDAY/... Issued at 534 PM CST Sat Feb 15 2025 Widespread rain with scattered thunderstorms continues to impact TAF sites across the area early this evening. LIFR to IFR conditions are forecast to continue across the area with widespread rain and thunderstorms this evening. A cold front moving across the area will switch winds to the northwest, Wind speeds will increase behind the front with speeds of 15 to 20 knots and gusts as high as 30 knots. Precipitation is forecast to end from west to east after 12 UTC but MVFR ceilings will linger through the most of the remainder of the TAF period. Ceilings are forecast to lift to VFR as skies clear from west to east very late in the period. && .PAH WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES... IL...None. MO...None. IN...None. KY...None. && DISCUSSION...AD AVIATION...DC
Hazardous Weather Outlook National Weather Service Paducah KY 644 PM CST Sat Feb 15 2025 ILZ075>078-080>094-INZ081-082-085>088-KYZ001>022-MOZ076-086-087- 100-107>112-114-161100- Jefferson-Wayne IL-Edwards-Wabash-Perry IL-Franklin-Hamilton- White-Jackson-Williamson-Saline-Gallatin-Union-Johnson-Pope- Hardin-Alexander-Pulaski-Massac-Gibson-Pike-Posey-Vanderburgh- Warrick-Spencer-Fulton-Hickman-Carlisle-Ballard-McCracken-Graves- Livingston-Marshall-Calloway-Crittenden-Lyon-Trigg-Caldwell- Union KY-Webster-Hopkins-Christian-Henderson-Daviess-McLean- Muhlenberg-Todd-Perry MO-Bollinger-Cape Girardeau-Wayne MO-Carter- Ripley-Butler-Stoddard-Scott-Mississippi-New Madrid- 644 PM CST Sat Feb 15 2025 /744 PM EST Sat Feb 15 2025/ This Hazardous Weather Outlook is for portions of southern Illinois, southwest Indiana, western Kentucky, and southeast Missouri. .DAY ONE...Tonight Considerable to potentially major flash flooding at times continues. Refer to the Flood Watch product, and numerous flood and flash flood warnings, for specific details. A Tornado Watch is in effect until 1 AM CST for Calloway, Trigg, Christian, Todd, and Muhlenberg counties in western Kentucky. Refer to the Watch for details. .DAYS TWO THROUGH SEVEN...Sunday through Friday Accumulating snowfall with travel impacts is becoming increasingly likely Tuesday afternoon through Wednesday morning. Dangerous cold is forecast for much of next week. Morning wind chill values will be near or below zero Wednesday through Friday. Widespread river flooding will continue or is forecast to develop along parts of the Ohio and Green Rivers. .SPOTTER INFORMATION STATEMENT... Spotter reports of flooding and severe weather are encouraged.
Preliminary Local Storm Report
National Weather Service Paducah KY
317 PM CST Sat Feb 15 2025
..TIME... ...EVENT... ...CITY LOCATION... ...LAT.LON...
..DATE... ....MAG.... ..COUNTY LOCATION..ST.. ...SOURCE....
..REMARKS..
0300 PM Flash Flood 1 ENE Murray 36.62N 88.29W
02/15/2025 Calloway KY Trained Spotter
Clarks River and Bee Creek out of bank and
approaching homes in and around Murray.
Numerous roadways closed in the county.
&&
JGGPreliminary Local Storm Report
National Weather Service Paducah KY
543 PM CST Sat Feb 15 2025
..TIME... ...EVENT... ...CITY LOCATION... ...LAT.LON...
..DATE... ....MAG.... ..COUNTY LOCATION..ST.. ...SOURCE....
..REMARKS..
0543 PM Flash Flood Milburn 36.80N 88.90W
02/15/2025 Carlisle KY Emergency Mngr
Widespread flooding surrounding mobile home
on Highway 80.
&&
JGGPreliminary Local Storm Report
National Weather Service Paducah KY
602 PM CST Sat Feb 15 2025
..TIME... ...EVENT... ...CITY LOCATION... ...LAT.LON...
..DATE... ....MAG.... ..COUNTY LOCATION..ST.. ...SOURCE....
..REMARKS..
0558 PM Tstm Wnd Gst Princeton 37.11N 87.88W
02/15/2025 E40 MPH Caldwell KY Emergency Mngr
40 mph winds and pea sized hail near Highway
672 and Sandlick Road/Highway 91.
&&Special Weather Statement
National Weather Service Paducah KY
604 PM CST Sat Feb 15 2025
KYZ016-020-021-160045-
Muhlenberg KY-McLean KY-Hopkins KY-
604 PM CST Sat Feb 15 2025
...A STRONG THUNDERSTORM WILL IMPACT NORTHERN MUHLENBERG...
SOUTHEASTERN MCLEAN AND SOUTHEASTERN HOPKINS COUNTIES THROUGH 645 PM
CST...
At 604 PM CST, Doppler radar was tracking a strong thunderstorm over
Nortonville, or 10 miles east of Dawson Springs, moving east at 45
mph.
HAZARD...Wind gusts up to 50 mph and half inch hail.
SOURCE...Radar indicated.
IMPACT...Gusty winds could knock down tree limbs and blow around
unsecured objects. Minor hail damage to vegetation is
possible.
Locations impacted include...
Madisonville, Central City, Earlington, Livermore, Nortonville,
Mortons Gap, Powderly, Graham, Greenville, White Plains, Drakesboro,
Sacramento, Island, St. Charles, Bremen, and South Carrollton.
This includes the following highways...
Interstate 69 in Kentucky between Mile Markers 100 and 118.
Western Kentucky Parkway between Mile Markers 39 and 65.
Pennyrile Parkway between Mile Markers 30 and 34.
PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...
If outdoors, consider seeking shelter inside a building.
&&
LAT...LON 3724 8698 3713 8756 3735 8758 3756 8704
3747 8711 3748 8713 3746 8711 3738 8710
3736 8713 3734 8714 3732 8711 3737 8708
3736 8703 3732 8699 3727 8698 3726 8697
TIME...MOT...LOC 0004Z 258DEG 40KT 3718 8749
MAX HAIL SIZE...0.50 IN
MAX WIND GUST...50 MPH
JGGSpecial Weather Statement
National Weather Service Paducah KY
604 PM CST Sat Feb 15 2025
KYZ008-011>013-017-160045-
Marshall KY-Christian KY-Lyon KY-Caldwell KY-Trigg KY-
604 PM CST Sat Feb 15 2025
...A STRONG THUNDERSTORM WILL IMPACT CENTRAL CHRISTIAN...SOUTHEASTERN
CALDWELL...SOUTHEASTERN MARSHALL...TRIGG AND SOUTHEASTERN LYON
COUNTIES THROUGH 645 PM CST...
At 604 PM CST, Doppler radar was tracking a strong thunderstorm over
Land Between The Lakes Area, moving east at 45 mph.
HAZARD...Wind gusts up to 50 mph and pea size hail.
SOURCE...Radar indicated.
IMPACT...Gusty winds could knock down tree limbs and blow around
unsecured objects. Minor hail damage to vegetation is
possible.
Locations impacted include...
Hopkinsville, Cadiz, Golden Pond Visitors Center, Energy Lake
Campground, Woodlands Nature Station, Land Between The Lakes Area,
Cravens Bay Campground, Crofton, Cobb, Canton, Rockcastle, Hawkins,
and Aurora.
This includes the following highways...
Interstate 24 in Kentucky between Mile Markers 46 and 76.
Pennyrile Parkway between Mile Markers 5 and 25.
PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...
If outdoors, consider seeking shelter inside a building.
&&
LAT...LON 3675 8816 3704 8813 3709 8740 3680 8741
TIME...MOT...LOC 0004Z 263DEG 39KT 3685 8810
MAX HAIL SIZE...0.25 IN
MAX WIND GUST...50 MPH
JGGPreliminary Local Storm Report
National Weather Service Paducah KY
623 PM CST Sat Feb 15 2025
..TIME... ...EVENT... ...CITY LOCATION... ...LAT.LON...
..DATE... ....MAG.... ..COUNTY LOCATION..ST.. ...SOURCE....
..REMARKS..
0605 PM Rain 3 W Sedalia 36.64N 88.66W
02/15/2025 M5.17 Inch Graves KY Mesonet
Mesonet station DW9711 Mayfield.
0610 PM Rain 2 SW Murray 36.59N 88.34W
02/15/2025 M5.13 Inch Calloway KY Mesonet
Mesonet station AW804 MURRAY.
0605 PM Rain 2 ENE Hickman 36.57N 89.16W
02/15/2025 M4.55 Inch Fulton KY Mesonet
Mesonet station HCKM Hickman KY 2 E.
0608 PM Rain 3 SE Faridealing 36.82N 88.20W
02/15/2025 M4.40 Inch Marshall KY Mesonet
Mesonet station DW6462 Murray.
0605 PM Rain 5 NNE Benton 36.92N 88.34W
02/15/2025 M4.30 Inch Marshall KY Mesonet
Mesonet station DRFN Benton KY 4 N.
0605 PM Rain 4 NNE Wingo 36.70N 88.72W
02/15/2025 M4.13 Inch Graves KY Mesonet
Mesonet station PRYB Mayfield KY 6 SW.
0600 PM Rain 6 NNE Diehlstadt 37.04N 89.38W
02/15/2025 M4.09 Inch Scott MO Mesonet
Mesonet station PCLM7 6.3 NE Diehlstadt.
0521 PM Rain 3 SW Goldon Pond 36.78N 88.06W
02/15/2025 M4.04 Inch Trigg KY Mesonet
Mesonet station LBLK2 Golden Pond KY.
0605 PM Rain 1 SW Heath 37.07N 88.80W
02/15/2025 M4.00 Inch McCracken KY Mesonet
Mesonet station AT712 West Paducah KY.
0608 PM Rain 1 WNW Central City 37.30N 87.15W
02/15/2025 M3.95 Inch Muhlenberg KY Mesonet
Mesonet station FW6456 Central City.
0530 PM Rain 4 WNW Cerulean 36.98N 87.78W
02/15/2025 M3.95 Inch Caldwell KY Mesonet
Mesonet station CBBK2 4.3 W Cerulean.
0600 PM Rain 6 S Wolf Island 36.66N 89.20W
02/15/2025 M3.94 Inch Mississippi MO Mesonet
Mesonet station EW4994 Dorena MO.
0605 PM Rain 1 W Murray 36.61N 88.34W
02/15/2025 M3.89 Inch Calloway KY Mesonet
Mesonet station MRRY Murray KY 1 W.
0600 PM Rain 6 SE Eddyville 37.02N 88.01W
02/15/2025 M3.88 Inch Lyon KY Mesonet
Mesonet station EW1850 Eddyville KY.
0605 PM Rain 7 NNW Hopkinsville 36.95N 87.52W
02/15/2025 M3.86 Inch Christian KY Mesonet
Mesonet station PGHL Hopkinsville KY 6 N.
0605 PM Rain 6 SSE Aurora 36.70N 88.10W
02/15/2025 M3.84 Inch Calloway KY Mesonet
Mesonet station 1357D 5 SSE Aurora.
0555 PM Rain 3 NW Powderly 37.27N 87.20W
02/15/2025 M3.77 Inch Muhlenberg KY Mesonet
Mesonet station GFSK2 Greenville KY.
0605 PM Rain 2 ESE Princeton 37.10N 87.86W
02/15/2025 M3.77 Inch Caldwell KY Mesonet
Mesonet station PRNC Princeton KY 2 SE.
0605 PM Rain 4 SW Cadiz 36.83N 87.86W
02/15/2025 M3.74 Inch Trigg KY Mesonet
Mesonet station CADZ Cadiz KY 4 SW.
0600 PM Rain 6 ENE Hazel 36.54N 88.22W
02/15/2025 M3.68 Inch Calloway KY Mesonet
Mesonet station FW3304 New Concord KY.
0610 PM Rain 2 NW Anniston 36.85N 89.36W
02/15/2025 M3.65 Inch Mississippi MO Mesonet
Mesonet station MOA27 Charleston, MO South.
0600 PM Rain 4 SE Allegre 36.88N 87.17W
02/15/2025 M3.64 Inch Todd KY Mesonet
Mesonet station DW3900 Elkton KY.
0605 PM Rain 3 SE Allegre 36.89N 87.18W
02/15/2025 M3.64 Inch Todd KY Mesonet
Mesonet station 6885D 3 SE Allegre.
0605 PM Rain 4 NE Trenton 36.76N 87.21W
02/15/2025 M3.63 Inch Todd KY Mesonet
Mesonet station ZION Elkton KY 5 SW.
0530 PM Rain 3 E Hopkinsville 36.85N 87.43W
02/15/2025 M3.62 Inch Christian KY Mesonet
Mesonet station HLBK2 3.4 E Hopkinsville.
0530 PM Rain 2 SSW Elkton 36.78N 87.17W
02/15/2025 M3.55 Inch Todd KY Mesonet
Mesonet station EKTK2 1.9 S Elkton.
0610 PM Rain 5 ENE Gracey 36.92N 87.58W
02/15/2025 M3.54 Inch Christian KY Mesonet
Mesonet station FW2085 Princeton KY.
0528 PM Rain 2 W Fort Campbell North 36.66N 87.49W
02/15/2025 M3.51 Inch Christian KY Mesonet
Mesonet station TT760 Fcrg55.
0608 PM Rain 3 NW Elkton 36.85N 87.20W
02/15/2025 M3.50 Inch Todd KY Mesonet
Mesonet station AW975 ELKTON.
&&The Paducah radar (KPAH), 48 km away, was scanning. The volume nearest the first event began at 01:03 UTC.
1 flash flood, 1 flood. Local standard time, as filed.
A creek overflowed its banks and caused Bushwack Road to be closed due to high water.
Heavy rainfall led to minor flooding of the usual trouble spots in Metropolis, including standing water on one lane of US Highway 45/10th Street.
After NWS Directive 10-1605, the rules offices file Storm Data by.
Every storm in Illinois in 2025Every state in 2025This day in weather historyWarnings in Illinois, February 2025
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: 1234954, 1234957.