Rains continue; flood watch in effect

(Information released 3:22 a.m. Tuesday)

[November 17, 2009]  Moderate to heavy rain will continue to affect parts of central Illinois today. An upper-level disturbance will move into Missouri and slowly drift north along the Mississippi River Valley into midweek. This will bring an extended period of rain to central Illinois. Current indications indicate the greatest threat of flooding to be across west central portions of the state through Tuesday afternoon. The area includes the counties of Fulton, Schuyler, Mason, Logan, Cass, Menard, Scott, Morgan and Sangamon, including the cities of Havana, Lincoln and Jacksonville.

A flood watch remains in effect through Tuesday afternoon for the portion of central Illinois including the counties of Cass, Fulton, Logan, Mason, Menard, Morgan, Sangamon, Schuyler and Scott.

Through Tuesday afternoon periods of rain will continue across the area. Rainfall so far has ranged from 1.5 to 2.5 inches in a corridor from Jacksonville east through Decatur and Newman. Up to an inch more may fall across parts of central Illinois today.

Area rivers have already begun to rise as a result of this rain. Portions of the Sangamon River may approach or exceed flood stage later this week. The Spoon River at London Mills and Seville is forecast to crest just below flood stage later in the week. Portions of the Illinois River are still in flood from the heavy rain a couple weeks ago, and this additional rain will likely cause renewed rises.

Precautionary, preparedness actions:

A flood watch means there is a potential for flooding, based on current forecasts. You should monitor later forecasts and be alert for possible flood warnings. People living in areas prone to flooding should be prepared to take action should flooding develop.

[Text from file received from National Weather Service, Lincoln office]