National Weather ServiceIllinoisFlood WarningArchive to October 1, 2026
Flood Warnings in Illinois
The National Weather Service issued 102 flood warnings for Illinois in 2025 and 358 a year on average in 2008-2025; in 2021-2025 it had the 10th most of any state. 2026 through September: 278, 12% below the average of 317 for those months in 2008-2025. Lawrence was covered most often (514 times since 2008).
How many flood warnings does Illinois get?
Every flood warning that covered part of Illinois. 2026 is an outline: the year is not over.
The numbers
| Year | Count |
|---|---|
| 2026 (through September) | 278 |
| 2025 | 102 |
| 2024 | 235 |
| 2023 | 122 |
| 2022 | 180 |
| 2021 | 209 |
| 2020 | 377 |
| 2019 | 645 |
| 2018 | 478 |
| 2017 | 432 |
| 2016 | 215 |
| 2015 | 469 |
| 2014 | 359 |
| 2013 | 470 |
| 2012 | 51 |
| 2011 | 452 |
| 2010 | 477 |
| 2009 | 556 |
| 2008 | 618 |
Source: Iowa Environmental Mesonet archive of National Weather Service watches, warnings and advisories (VTEC); National Weather Service. Data as of October 1, 2026.
When in the year does Illinois get them?
Sum of 2008-2025; the busiest month is labelled.
Source: Iowa Environmental Mesonet archive of National Weather Service watches, warnings and advisories (VTEC); National Weather Service. Data as of October 1, 2026.
Where in Illinois?
| County or forecast zone | Since 2008 | Since 2023 | Last issued |
|---|---|---|---|
| Lawrence | 514 | 53 | August 22, 2026 |
| Crawford | 484 | 46 | August 15, 2026 |
| Wabash | 465 | 31 | August 25, 2026 |
| Rock Island | 357 | 38 | September 22, 2026 |
| Pike | 333 | 42 | September 26, 2026 |
| La Salle | 326 | 41 | September 20, 2026 |
| Gallatin | 308 | 42 | August 25, 2026 |
| White | 295 | 38 | August 25, 2026 |
| Lake | 284 | 33 | September 22, 2026 |
| Hancock | 251 | 26 | September 25, 2026 |
| Cook | 245 | 57 | September 20, 2026 |
| Calhoun | 241 | 32 | September 27, 2026 |
The NWS issues these products for counties or forecast zones; a zone can be part of a county or a mountain range.
Source: Iowa Environmental Mesonet archive of National Weather Service watches, warnings and advisories (VTEC); National Weather Service. Data as of October 1, 2026.
The latest flood warnings for Illinois in AreaZine's record
NWS ChicagoWarningSeptember 30, 2026
Flood Warning: Lake, IL
In force until 3:30 p.m. CDT, October 1, 2026
NWS St LouisWarningSeptember 23, 2026
Flood Warning: Pike and Pike, IL and MO
Expired 10:00 p.m. CDT, September 28, 2026
NWS Milwaukee/SullivanWarningSeptember 22, 2026
Flood Warning: Lake and Kenosha, IL and WI
Expired 10:00 a.m. CDT, September 26, 2026
NWS Quad Cities IAWarningSeptember 22, 2026
Flood Warning: Hancock and Clark, IL and MO
Expired 1:00 a.m. CDT, September 26, 2026
NWS Quad Cities IAWarningSeptember 21, 2026
Flood Warning: Des Moines and Henderson, IA and IL
Expired 10:00 a.m. CDT, September 26, 2026
NWS Quad Cities IAWarningSeptember 21, 2026
Flood Warning: Des Moines, Lee, Hancock and 1 more, IA and IL
Expired 5:00 a.m. CDT, September 26, 2026
NWS Quad Cities IAWarningSeptember 21, 2026
Flood Warning: Des Moines, Louisa, Henderson and 1 more, IA and IL
Expired 5:00 p.m. CDT, September 25, 2026
NWS ChicagoWarningSeptember 21, 2026
Flood Warning: Lee, IL
Expired 7:00 p.m. CDT, September 21, 2026
This list is AreaZine's record of the NWS alert feed, kept since April 6, 2026; the counts above come from the complete IEM archive.
Source: National Weather Service alerts (api.weather.gov).
What is a flood warning?
A flood warning means flooding is happening or about to happen. The NWS issues it both for rivers at forecast points (river flood warnings) and for areas where water ponds or runs off (areal flood warnings); AreaZine counts both. A warning means the hazard is happening, about to happen, or very likely: act now to protect people and property. The national record · Every warning type in Illinois.