Flood — Union, Illinois

2008-03-18 to 2008-03-21 · near Ware, Union, Illinois

Event narrative

Historic flooding inundated the county after close to 12 inches of rain fell in 48 hours. Levees were overtopped along the Clear Creek drainage district, essentially cutting the county in two. All east-west roads were impassable or closed. Between 30 and 35 people were rescued or evacuated by emergency personnel using boats. About 12 houses were flooded. Highway 146 was closed near Ware. Evacuations were concentrated near Clear Creek, Ware, and west of Jonesboro. On secondary roads and side streets, creeks rose over bridges. Damage was reported to roads all over the county. A couple of bridges were severely damaged. Flooding affected a telephone company building in Anna, knocking out communications to much of the county. A house trailer was reportedly floated onto a road in a rural southwest part of the county. The Red Cross opened a shelter for evacuees. Flooding occurred in the Mill Creek area, where evacuations were conducted. Illinois Route 127 was flooded. In Anna, several streets were closed.

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 → (37.4500, -89.4000)

Source: NOAA Storm Events Database, event_id 84949. Narrative written by the NWS forecast office that issued the report.