Severe Thunderstorm Warning Issued for Central Coles County, Illinois

Alert Details

The National Weather Service in Lincoln has issued a Severe Thunderstorm Warning for central Coles County in east central Illinois. The alert was issued at 3:45 PM CST after radar indicated a severe storm moving northeast at 25 mph.

Affected Areas

The warning specifically covers central Coles County. At the time of issuance, the storm was located near Lerna, or near Charleston. Locations in the path of this severe thunderstorm include:

• Charleston (expected around 3:50 PM CST)
• Ashmore

What You Should Do

For your protection, move to an interior room on the lowest floor of a building. Residents are advised to stay away from windows and remain indoors until the warning expires. Additionally, a Tornado Watch remains in effect for east central Illinois until 8:00 PM CST.

Expected Conditions

According to radar data, the following hazards are present:

• Wind: Gusts up to 60 mph are expected, which may cause damage to roofs, siding, and trees.
• Hail: Quarter-size hail (1.00 inch) is anticipated, which is likely to cause damage to vehicles.

Timeline

The Severe Thunderstorm Warning is effective immediately as of 3:45 PM CST and is scheduled to expire at 4:15 PM CST on February 19, 2026.