Illinois State Water Survey
Institute of Natural Resource Sustainability
University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign
Institute of Natural Resource Sustainability
University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign
Illinois State Climatologist Office
Jim Angel, state climatologist
Heavy Rains in January 2008 Cause Flooding in Central Illinois
Jim Angel, state climatologistOn January 7, winter weather gave way to spring-like conditions with record-breaking warmth, heavy rains, and severe weather across Illinois.
During the afternoon and evening hours, severe thunderstorms moved through central and northern Illinois, producing hail, damaging winds, localized flooding, and tornadoes. Preliminary reports indicated that tornadoes appeared in Boone and McHenry counties in northern Illinois and in Mason and Tazewell counties in central Illinois.
Rainfall amounts were heavy as well, with reports of two to five inches in a wide band from western Illinois between St. Louis and Quincy northeastward to eastern Illinois between Danville and the southern suburbs of Chicago.
Here is information on the events, including maps and data. A Illinois State Water Survey press release briefly described it here.
Here are the precipitation totals for the first 9 days of January, including an earlier snow event.
Illinois
1/ 1/2008 to 1/ 9/2008
Climate <------Temperature-----> <---------Precipitation--------->
Division Actual Normal Dev Actual Normal Dev Percent
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Northwest 27.4 18.9 8.5 0.94 0.45 0.48 207
Northeast 30.7 20.6 10.0 1.78 0.52 1.26 345
West 31.3 23.0 8.3 1.92 0.46 1.47 421
Central 31.9 22.9 9.0 2.81 0.50 2.32 565
East 32.3 23.4 8.9 3.26 0.53 2.73 610
West-southwest 35.1 25.7 9.4 2.48 0.55 1.93 452
East-southeast 35.2 27.1 8.1 1.72 0.69 1.02 248
Southwest 38.6 29.5 9.2 1.25 0.79 0.46 159
Southeast 39.0 30.3 8.7 1.51 0.90 0.61 168
State 33.3 24.4 8.9 1.96 0.59 1.37 334
Dev means Deviation From Normal, Percent means Percent of Normal
Maps
Click on the maps to enlarge
Figure 1. Severe weather reports (NWS).
Figure 2. Precipitation, 24 hours ending at 8 am, January 8, 2008 (MRCC)
Figure 3. Precipitation, 24 hours ending at 8 am, January 9, 2008 (MRCC)
Figure 4. Sites reporting during the January 7-9, 2008 event (MRCC)
Figure 5. Precipitation, 24 hours ending at 9 am, January 8, 2008 (NWS)
Figure 6. Radar-estimated precipitation, 24 hours ending 7 am, January 8, 2008
(N
Station Data
NWS cooperative weather observer reports from 1/07/2008 To 1/09/2008.
"Obs" means the observed precipitation, "Dev" means the deviation from
the climate division normal for this period, and "Percen Avail Data"
means the percent available data.
Station Percent Percent
ID Precipitation Avail <--- Temperature ----> Avail
Number Name Obs Dev Data High Low Mean Dev Data
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
110203 ANTIOCH 0.38 0.27 100 58.0 36.5 47.2 30.8 100
110442 BARRINGTON_3SW 0.35 0.23 100 57.5 39.5 48.5 31.1 100
111420 CHANNAHON_DRESDEN_ISLAND 1.79 1.69 100 na na na na 00
111497 CHICAGO_BOTANICAL_GARDEN 0.70 0.57 100 60.5 40.0 50.2 32.0 100
111549 CHICAGO_OHARE_AP 0.67 0.54 100 47.5 33.5 40.5 22.2 100
111577 CHICAGO_MIDWAY_AP_3SW 2.17 2.05 100 60.5 42.5 51.5 32.6 100
112223 DE_KALB 0.38 0.29 100 57.5 38.5 48.0 31.5 100
112510 EARLVILLE_3_S 1.12 1.02 100 na na na na 00
112709 ELBURN 0.50 0.40 100 na na na na 00
112736 ELGIN 0.37 0.26 100 58.5 41.0 49.8 32.5 100
113392 GENOA_2_SW 0.48 0.39 100 na na na na 00
113490 GLEN_ELLYN_4_S 1.15 1.03 100 na na na na 00
114530 JOLIET_BRANDON_RD_DAM 2.45 2.34 100 60.5 40.0 50.2 31.4 100
114816 LA_GRANGE 1.66 1.54 100 na na na na 00
114890 LANSING 3.24 3.13 100 na na na na 00
115372 MARSEILLES_LOCK 2.40 2.30 100 60.0 40.5 50.2 31.8 100
115493 MCHENRY_WG_STRATTON_L&D 0.40 0.29 100 57.5 35.0 46.2 29.6 100
115562 MENDOTA__2_SE 0.65 0.56 100 na na na na 00
115825 MORRIS_1_NW 2.88 2.78 100 62.0 42.0 52.0 33.3 100
115961 MUNDELEIN_4_WSW 0.34 0.22 100 58.5 37.0 47.8 30.6 100
116065 NEWARK_2_SSE 1.39 1.29 100 na na na na 00
116281 OAK_BROOK_2W 1.13 1.01 100 na na na na 00
116526 OTTAWA_5SW 1.71 1.61 100 60.0 41.0 50.5 32.3 100
116616 PARK_FOREST 3.53 3.42 100 65.0 41.5 53.2 33.9 100
116725 PEOTONE 3.39 3.29 50 na na na na 00
116753 PERU 1.13 1.03 100 60.0 40.5 50.2 32.3 100
116849 PLAINFIELD_3_NE 2.19 2.08 100 na na na na 00
116855 PLANO 1.06 0.96 100 na na na na 00
117457 ROMEOVILLE_WFO 2.07 1.96 100 na na na na 00
117586 ST_CHARLES_7_NW 0.50 0.39 100 na na na na 00
117833 SHABBONA_3S 0.75 0.66 100 na na na na 00
118192 SPRING_GROVE 0.50 0.39 100 na na na na 00
118324 STREAMWOOD 0.51 0.39 100 49.0 na na na 00
119221 WHEATON_3_SE 1.12 1.00 100 60.0 41.5 50.8 32.5 100
119480 WOODSTOCK_5_NW 0.24 0.14 100 na na na na 00
119827 YORKVILLE_3_SW 1.36 1.26 100 na na na na 00
State: Illinois Climate Division: 3
From 1/08/2008 To 1/09/2008
Station Percent Percent
ID Precipitation Avail <--- Temperature ----> Avail
Number Name Obs Dev Data High Low Mean Dev Data
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
110330 AUGUSTA 2.37 2.29 100 na na na na 00
110598 BENTLEY 1.54 1.47 100 58.0 37.5 47.8 27.1 100
112125 DAHINDA_1_NE 0.69 0.60 100 na na na na 00
113320 GALESBURG 0.51 0.43 100 na na na na 00
113530 GOLDEN 1.40 1.32 50 na na na na 00
114780 KNOXVILLE 0.72 0.64 50 na na na na 00
114823 LA_HARPE 0.78 0.71 50 na na na na 00
115280 MACOMB 1.39 1.31 50 na na na na 00
115334 MARIETTA 0.13 0.04 50 na na na na 00
115772 MONMOUTH_4NW 0.48 0.41 100 62.0 31.5 46.8 27.9 100
115935 MOUNT_STERLING 2.15 2.07 100 na na na na 00
116670 PAYSON 2.75 2.67 50 na na na na 00
116970 PRAIRIE_CITY_2S 1.60 1.52 100 60.0 41.0 50.5 30.7 100
117072 QUINCY_REGIONAL_AP 0.90 0.82 100 49.0 28.5 38.8 17.0 100
117077 QUINCY_DAM_21 1.50 1.42 100 na na na na 00
117551 RUSHVILLE 2.68 2.60 100 61.5 39.0 50.2 29.0 100
118204 ST_DAVID 3.00 2.91 100 na na na na 00
State: Illinois Climate Division: 4
From 1/08/2008 To 1/09/2008
Station Percent Percent
ID Precipitation Avail <--- Temperature ----> Avail
Number Name Obs Dev Data High Low Mean Dev Data
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
110305 ATHENS_2_N 4.16 4.06 100 na na na na 00
110306 ATHENS_2SW 3.97 3.87 100 63.0 41.5 52.2 30.4 100
110761 BLOOMINGTON_WATERWORKS 3.05 2.96 50 na na na na 00
110764 BLOOMINGTON_5W 3.36 3.27 100 60.5 40.0 50.2 29.9 100
110868 BRADFORD_3SSE 0.89 0.80 100 na na na na 00
111083 BUFFALO 2.19 2.09 100 na na na na 00
111236 CAMP_GROVE_2_SW 0.92 0.83 100 na na na na 00
111475 CHENOA 3.79 3.70 50 na na na na 00
111627 CHILLICOTHE 1.33 1.24 100 na na na na 00
111743 CLINTON_1_SSW 3.30 3.20 100 na na na na 00
111836 CONGERVILLE_2_NW 3.11 3.02 50 na na na na 00
112193 DECATUR 1.65 1.54 100 53.5 30.5 42.0 19.6 100
112197 DECATUR_4N 1.64 1.53 50 na na na na 00
112854 EUREKA 3.22 3.13 100 na na na na 00
112993 FARMER_CITY 3.75 3.64 100 na na na na 00
114805 LACON_1_N 1.82 1.73 50 na na na na 00
115079 LINCOLN 2.13 2.03 100 50.0 32.0 41.0 19.6 100
115272 MACKINAW_1N 2.62 2.53 100 na na na na 00
115413 MASON_CITY 2.67 2.58 100 68.0 40.0 54.0 32.9 100
115712 MINONK 2.60 2.51 100 61.0 40.0 50.5 31.3 100
115876 MORTON 3.02 2.93 100 na na na na 00
115927 MOUNT_PULASKI 2.79 2.69 100 na na na na 00
116200 NORMAL_4NE 2.65 2.56 100 61.0 40.5 50.8 30.5 100
116689 PEKIN_3_SE 2.54 2.45 100 na na na na 00
116703 PEORIA_AIRPORT_3SW 2.37 2.28 100 na na na na 00
116711 PEORIA_GTR_PEORIA_RGNL_A 1.01 0.92 100 47.0 30.5 38.8 19.2 100
116760 PETERSBURG_3_SSW 4.53 4.44 50 na na na na 00
116765 PETERSBURG_2SW 4.43 4.34 50 na na na na 00
117004 PRINCEVILLE_2W 1.84 1.75 100 60.0 39.0 49.5 30.7 100
117329 ROANOKE 2.92 2.83 100 na na na na 00
117590 SAYBROOK_2N 3.52 3.42 100 60.5 40.5 50.5 29.9 100
118222 STANFORD_2S 2.91 2.82 100 na na na na 00
118797 VARNA 1.72 1.63 50 na na na na 00
118990 WASHINGTON_2_WSW 2.89 2.80 100 na na na na 00
State: Illinois Climate Division: 5
From 1/08/2008 To 1/09/2008
Station Percent Percent
ID Precipitation Avail <--- Temperature ----> Avail
Number Name Obs Dev Data High Low Mean Dev Data
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
110803 BOURBONNAIS_3NW 2.81 2.71 100 na na na na 00
111447 CHATSWORTH 4.12 4.02 100 na na na na 00
111655 CISCO 2.46 2.34 100 na na na na 00
112145 DANVILLE_SEWAGE_PLANT 0.96 0.82 100 na na na na 00
112500 DWIGHT 2.69 2.59 100 65.0 40.0 52.5 33.3 100
112923 FAIRBURY__WWTP 3.20 3.10 100 na na na na 00
113061 FISHER 3.59 3.48 100 na na na na 00
113413 GIBSON_CITY 3.66 3.55 100 61.5 40.5 51.0 30.4 100
114198 HOOPESTON_1_NE 2.41 2.29 100 na na na na 00
114603 KANKAKEE_METRO_WASTWTR 2.86 2.76 100 61.5 41.5 51.5 31.9 100
115292 MAHOMET 2.32 2.20 100 na na na na 00
115646 MILFORD_5_NW 3.40 3.29 100 na na na na 00
115758 MOMENCE_5_ENE 2.54 2.43 100 na na na na 00
115792 MONTICELLO_NO_2 2.07 1.95 100 na na na na 00
116344 OGDEN 1.11 0.98 100 62.0 43.5 52.8 31.1 100
116663 PAXTON_2_WSW 3.74 3.63 100 60.5 na na na 00
116769 PHILO 1.38 1.25 100 na na na na 00
116819 PIPER_CITY 4.14 4.04 50 na na na na 00
116910 PONTIAC 3.44 3.34 100 na 40.5 na na 00
117952 SIDELL_5NW 0.90 0.76 100 60.5 41.5 51.0 29.0 100
118194 ST_ANNE 2.92 2.81 100 na na na na 00
118632 TOULON_2_SSE 0.75 0.66 100 na na na na 00
118740 URBANA 1.46 1.33 100 50.0 32.5 41.2 19.5 100
118745 URBANA_S_AGRONOMY_FARM 1.52 1.39 100 55.5 40.0 47.8 26.0 100
119021 WATSEKA_2_NW 3.57 3.46 50 na na na na 00
State: Illinois Climate Division: 6
From 1/08/2008 To 1/09/2008
Station Percent Percent
ID Precipitation Avail <--- Temperature ----> Avail
Number Name Obs Dev Data High Low Mean Dev Data
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
110137 ALTON_MELVIN_PRICE_L&D 1.59 1.46 100 na na na na 00
111280 CARLINVILLE 1.99 1.88 100 63.5 41.0 52.2 28.5 100
113666 GREENFIELD 1.58 1.48 50 na na na na 00
113693 GREENVILLE_2_NE 1.35 1.23 50 na na na na 00
113717 GRIGGSVILLE 3.15 3.06 100 61.5 40.5 51.0 28.7 100
114089 HIGHLAND 2.14 2.01 100 na na na na 00
114108 HILLSBORO 1.13 1.01 50 na na na na 00
114442 JACKSONVILLE_2E 3.34 3.25 100 63.0 40.0 51.5 29.1 100
114447 JACKSONVILLE_2 3.47 3.38 100 62.5 41.0 51.8 29.3 100
114489 JERSEYVILLE_2_SW 2.64 2.53 100 65.0 40.5 52.8 28.6 100
114739 KINCAID 1.23 1.12 100 na na na na 00
114833 LAKE_SPRINGFIELD 2.14 2.04 100 na na na na 00
115113 LOAMI_3_SSW 2.48 2.38 100 62.0 41.5 51.8 29.0 100
115539 MEDORA 2.53 2.42 50 na na na na 00
115841 MORRISONVILLE 2.25 2.14 100 63.0 41.0 52.0 28.7 100
115917 MOUNT_OLIVE_1_E 1.24 1.12 50 na na na na 00
116185 NOKOMIS 0.30 0.18 50 na na na na 00
116738 PERRY_6_NW 1.88 1.79 100 63.0 38.0 50.5 28.4 100
116837 PITTSFIELD_NO_2 3.25 3.16 100 62.5 41.0 51.8 29.2 100
117318 RIVERTON_4NNE 2.70 2.60 100 na na na na 00
117896 SHERMAN_1ESE 2.79 2.69 100 na na na na 00
118179 SPRINGFIELD_CAPITAL_AP 1.68 1.58 100 52.0 32.5 42.2 20.0 100
118186 SPRINGFIELD_#2 2.79 2.69 100 63.0 42.5 52.8 30.5 100
118860 VIRDEN 1.68 1.58 50 na na na na 00
118870 VIRGINIA 3.04 2.95 100 na na na na 00
119241 WHITE_HALL_1_E 2.36 2.26 100 62.5 40.0 51.2 28.2 100
119331 WINCHESTER 3.25 3.16 100 63.0 40.0 51.5 28.9 100
State: Illinois Climate Division: 7
From 1/08/2008 To 1/09/2008
Station Percent Percent
ID Precipitation Avail <--- Temperature ----> Avail
Number Name Obs Dev Data High Low Mean Dev Data
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
110500 BEECHER_CITY 1.61 1.49 100 na na na na 00
111212 CALHOUN_5_SE 1.59 1.47 100 na na na na 00
111329 CASEY 1.80 1.66 100 na na na na 00
111691 CLAREMONT_6N 1.57 1.45 100 na na na na 00
111700 CLAY_CITY_6_SSE 0.82 0.70 50 na na na na 00
112685 EFFINGHAM_SE 1.97 1.84 100 na na na na 00
112687 EFFINGHAM 1.79 1.66 100 62.5 41.5 52.0 27.6 100
113106 FLORA 1.31 1.19 100 63.5 44.5 54.0 28.1 100
113109 FLORA_5_NW 1.78 1.66 100 63.0 42.0 52.5 26.8 100
114078 HIDALGO_3SW 2.15 2.02 100 60.0 44.5 52.2 27.8 100
114317 HUTSONVILLE_POWER_PLANT 2.01 1.88 100 66.0 45.0 55.5 30.8 100
114400 IUKA_12_SW 1.08 0.96 100 64.0 44.5 54.2 28.1 100
114756 KINMUNDY 2.87 2.75 100 na na na na 00
114957 LAWRENCEVILLE 1.59 1.47 100 64.0 49.5 56.8 30.8 100
115219 LOVINGTON 1.31 1.19 100 na na na na 00
115430 MATTOON 1.28 1.15 100 na na na na 00
115950 MOWEAQUA_2S 2.03 1.91 100 na na na na 00
116025 NEOGA_4NW 1.53 1.40 100 62.5 41.0 51.8 28.1 100
116134 NEWMAN_3W 1.07 0.93 100 na na na na 00
116157 NEWTON 1.98 1.85 50 na na na na 00
116446 OLNEY_2S 1.25 1.13 100 na 45.0 na na 00
116558 PALESTINE__2W 1.57 1.44 100 61.5 43.5 52.5 27.4 100
116610 PARIS_WATERWORKS 1.55 1.41 100 62.0 41.0 51.5 28.4 100
116642 PATOKA 2.45 2.33 50 na na na na 00
117126 RAMSEY 1.36 1.24 100 61.5 41.0 51.2 27.1 100
117345 ROBINSON 2.04 1.91 100 62.5 45.0 53.8 28.7 100
117603 STE_MARIE 1.76 1.63 100 na na na na 00
117636 SALEM 2.18 2.06 100 63.0 43.0 53.0 27.2 100
117876 SHELBYVILLE_DAM 1.00 0.88 100 na na na na 00
118389 SULLIVAN_3_S 0.95 0.82 100 61.0 40.0 50.5 27.4 100
118684 TUSCOLA 1.14 1.01 100 62.0 41.5 51.8 29.2 100
118781 VANDALIA 1.50 1.38 100 na na na na 00
119354 WINDSOR 1.38 1.25 100 53.0 36.5 44.8 21.3 100
Normals used for the deviations are from a grid and should only be considered
as an approximation for a particular station
Normals used for the deviations are from a grid and should only be considered
as an approximation for a particular station
PRELIMINARY LOCAL STORM REPORT...SUMMARY
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE LINCOLN IL
821 AM CST TUE JAN 08 2008
..TIME... ...EVENT... ...CITY LOCATION... ...LAT.LON...
..DATE... ....MAG.... ..COUNTY LOCATION..ST.. ...SOURCE....
..REMARKS..
0400 PM TSTM WND DMG RUSHVILLE 40.12N 90.57W
01/07/2008 SCHUYLER IL EMERGENCY MNGR
TREE FELL ON THE SOUTH SIDE OF RUSHVILLE.
0429 PM HAIL DUNCAN MILLS 40.33N 90.18W
01/07/2008 E0.75 INCH FULTON IL EMERGENCY MNGR
0432 PM HAIL ST. DAVID 40.49N 90.05W
01/07/2008 M0.75 INCH FULTON IL CO-OP OBSERVER
0441 PM TORNADO TOPEKA 40.33N 89.93W
01/07/2008 MASON IL EMERGENCY MNGR
*** 1 INJ *** TORE ROOF AWAY FROM HOUSE. 1 MINOR INJURY.
0511 PM TSTM WND GST MORTON 40.61N 89.47W
01/07/2008 E60.00 MPH TAZEWELL IL EMERGENCY MNGR
REPORTED NEAR INTERSECTION OF I-74/I-155
0511 PM HAIL MORTON 40.61N 89.47W
01/07/2008 M1.00 INCH TAZEWELL IL EMERGENCY MNGR
REPORTED NEAR INTERSECTION OF I-74/I-155.
0516 PM HAIL 1 S MORTON 40.60N 89.47W
01/07/2008 E0.75 INCH TAZEWELL IL TRAINED SPOTTER
0519 PM TSTM WND GST MACKINAW 40.53N 89.36W
01/07/2008 E60.00 MPH TAZEWELL IL TRAINED SPOTTER
0520 PM HAIL 1 N HOPEDALE 40.44N 89.42W
01/07/2008 M0.88 INCH TAZEWELL IL TRAINED SPOTTER
0522 PM TORNADO 2 SE MACKINAW 40.51N 89.33W
01/07/2008 TAZEWELL IL EMERGENCY MNGR
POLE BARN DESTROYED. DAMAGE TO HOUSE.
0530 PM TORNADO 4 ESE MACKINAW 40.51N 89.29W
01/07/2008 TAZEWELL IL TRAINED SPOTTER
DOOR TORN FROM HINGEST ON BARN, 5-INCH TREE TOP TWISTED
OFF, ROOF DAMAGE TO HOUSE AND OUTBUILDINGS, FLAG POLE
BENT, CHAIN LINK FENCE BLOWN OVER, TREE LIMBS DOWN.
0530 PM HAIL DANVERS 40.53N 89.17W
01/07/2008 E0.88 INCH MCLEAN IL BROADCAST MEDIA
TIME ESTIMATED.
0537 PM HAIL MANCHESTER 39.54N 90.33W
01/07/2008 E1.50 INCH SCOTT IL EMERGENCY MNGR
0539 PM FUNNEL CLOUD ARMINGTON 40.34N 89.31W
01/07/2008 TAZEWELL IL PUBLIC
LOCATED NORTHWEST OF ARMINGTON. RELAYED BY LOGAN COUNTY
911
0540 PM HAIL 3 SW MURRAYVILLE 39.55N 90.29W
01/07/2008 E1.50 INCH MORGAN IL EMERGENCY MNGR
0552 PM HAIL LEXINGTON 40.64N 88.78W
01/07/2008 M0.75 INCH MCLEAN IL EMERGENCY MNGR
0552 PM HAIL HUDSON 40.61N 88.99W
01/07/2008 M0.75 INCH MCLEAN IL EMERGENCY MNGR
1000 PM HEAVY RAIN 3 W FARMER CITY 40.24N 88.70W
01/07/2008 M1.88 INCH DE WITT IL CO-OP OBSERVER
1030 PM FLOOD LINCOLN 40.15N 89.37W
01/07/2008 LOGAN IL EMERGENCY MNGR
MANY STREETS IN TOWN HAVE WATER 4 TO 6 INCHES DEEP.
1130 PM FLOOD BLUFFS 39.75N 90.53W
01/07/2008 SCOTT IL LAW ENFORCEMENT
REPORTED ALONG HIGHWAY 100
1130 PM FLOOD WINCHESTER 39.63N 90.46W
01/07/2008 SCOTT IL LAW ENFORCEMENT
WIDESPREAD STREET FLOODING
University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign- Illinois State Water Survey
- All files and information ©2008
- Last Modified: March 6, 2008