Strong winds and heavy rain are expected to impact our area this week. The National Weather Service says we are under an “Enhanced Risk” for severe thunderstorms Wednesday afternoon (Wednesday, April 2nd) and evening. Damaging wind gusts, large hail, and tornadoes are all possible over central Illinois, especially east of Interstate 55. The severe storms are expected to exit east central and southeast Illinois Wednesday evening, but urban and street flooding is possible due to very high rainfall rates.
In the Danville area the National Weather Service says there could be four to six inches of rain during the period running through Saturday. Three to four inches of rain is possible in the Champaign-Urbana area during the period. Higher amounts of rain are forecast for south-central and southern Illinois. In the Robinson and Effingham areas 6 to 8 inches is expected, and in the Olney area 8 to 10 inches.
The heavy rain and strong storms will also be impacting west-central Indiana where flooding is expected along the Wabash River.
Residents in low-lying areas should stay alert for possible flooding, and motorists should also stay alert for possibly flooded streets. Remember, you should never drive through areas where water is running across a roadway. You and your vehicle could be swept away in floodwaters.
