Flood — Johnson, Illinois

2008-03-18 to 2008-03-21 · near Goreville, Johnson, Illinois

Event narrative

Major flooding occurred in Vienna, where numerous businesses were flooded. A car dealership and another business had 2 to 3 feet of water inside. Local residents reported that flooding in Vienna was the worst since 1973. A number of residences around the county were flooded. Route 37 south of West Vienna was impassable, with water up to the headlights of vehicles. Flooding of the Cache River closed a large section of Illinois Route 37 for days. Railroad tracks were washed out near Belknap. Due to damaged tracks, a train derailed north of Vienna. The engineer and conductor were injured when two locomotives tipped on their side. Sections of U.S. Highway 45 and Route 37 were damaged by floodwater rushing across them. Most of the damage was erosion of shoulders. Farmers lost some animals and equipment to the flooding. Water rose over bridges, and at least three vehicles were carried away by floodwaters. Numerous roads were closed, including the most vital routes: U.S. Highway 45, Route 146, and Route 37. Interstate 24 remained open. Cypress was inaccessible due to road flooding.

Wider weather episode

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.

View location on OpenStreetMap → (37.5500, -88.9700)

Source: NOAA Storm Events Database, event_id 84933. Narrative written by the NWS forecast office that issued the report.