Flood in Franklin County, Illinois

Residents were evacuated from their homes and taken to a shelter. Flooding was most serious in West Frankfort, where there were concerns about the safety of the drinking water. It was later determined that no contamination occurred. The city's sewer plant was shut down after it flooded. Most of the evacuations in West Frankfort were on the northwest side of town. Two structures on the south end of town received major damage, including a large business. Basement flooding rose to the floor joists of the first floor of several structures. A number of dogs drowned in flooded pens and doghouses, while many others were rescued. In Royalton, a woman was trapped in her house for more than 24 hours. She was standing in more than a foot of water. Flooding on Main Street in Royalton came within a foot or two of village hall and the post office. Several roads were closed by flooding. Illinois Route 37 was closed north and south of West Frankfort. A woman was trapped in a submerged vehicle on Route 37 and was pulled to safety. A few streets in Benton were submerged. Drivers not familiar with the streets ended up in ditches after losing sight of the road surface.

Torrential rainfall amounts from 6 to 12 inches occurred over a two-day period, causing an historic flood event. A very slow-moving cold front over southwest Illinois and southeast Missouri provided the focus for prolonged heavy rainfall. A deep southwest wind flow brought subtropical moisture across the frontal zone. Two-day rainfall amounts included 11.64 inches at Anna (Union County) and 11.50 inches at Galatia (Saline County). At the Carbondale airport, the two-day total was 6.61 inches. Other two-day totals included: 7.66 at Harrisburg, 7.53 at Mt. Carmel, and 10.50 at Du Quoin.