Flood — Coles, Illinois

2001-07-09 · Coles, Illinois

Event narrative

A fatality occurred after the flash flooding had ended. Around 1230 pm, an 87 year old man drove through an area where water was over the roadway, near Oakland. The water resulted from the runoff of the heavy rainfall earlier in the day into the nearby the headwaters of the Embarras River and a local creek (East Donica Creek). Eyewitness reports indicate the vehicle was lifted off the ground and was carried off the road, into a field. There was a drop of 8 to 10 feet from the edge of the road into the field. The flood waters spilled into the vehicle. By the time rescue units got to the scene, the vehicle was nearly covered in water. Rescuers managed to remove the gentleman, who was then transported to the hospital, where he was pronounced dead.

Source: NOAA Storm Events Database, event_id 5259752. Narrative written by the NWS forecast office that issued the report.