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Heavy rain threat increasing across
central Illinois
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[March 20, 2007]
At least two rounds of showers
and thunderstorms are expected to push across central and southeast
Illinois over the next several days, threatening to bring heavy
rainfall to areas that have already seen flooding of rivers and
streams from previous rains. Current indications suggest that the
first round of rainfall will occur across the area Tuesday night
into Wednesday morning as a warm front lifts north across the
Midwest. Rainfall amounts of 1 to locally 1.5 inches will be
possible, especially along the Illinois, Mackinaw and Spoon River
basins. |
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A second round of showers and thunderstorms will accompany a cold
front that is forecast to push across central and southeast Illinois
on Thursday. Rainfall from this system will average from 1 to
locally 2 inches and will cover a larger area, extending from the
Illinois and Sangamon basins east and south to the Vermilion, Little
Wabash and Embarras basins by Thursday afternoon and night.
Havana and Beardstown along the Illinois River are already
experiencing minor flooding, with Henry and Peoria stages just below
minor flood. These locations will experience much slower responses
to the heavier rains. However, along the Spoon and Mackinaw basins,
if the heavy rain does materialize in these areas overnight or
Wednesday morning, we could see rapid rises in less than a 12-hour
period. Farther south and east, along the Sangamon, Vermilion,
Little Wabash and Embarras basins, the heaviest rainfall into
Wednesday morning is expected to occur to the north and west.
However, the heavy rainfall threat will shift into these locations
on Thursday and Thursday night as a cold front makes its way south
across the Midwest.
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 People with interests along area rivers need to keep abreast of
later forecasts Tuesday as this event unfolds. Flooding may occur
because the ground is saturated from previous rains. Low water
crossings and small streams could swell to small raging streams of
water as we have seen with previous heavy rainfall events.
The hazardous weather outlook will be updated with the latest
information throughout the day. Another source of current weather
for central, east central and southeast Illinois is through
www.crh.noaa.gov/ilx. In
addition, for hydrologic interests, you can view the latest
forecasts and stages at
http://www.crh.noaa.gov/ahps2/index.php?wfo=ilx.
[Text from
news release from the National Weather Service,
Lincoln office]
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