Severe Thunderstorm Warning Issued for Northwestern Wayne County, Illinois

Alert Details

The National Weather Service in Paducah has issued a Severe Thunderstorm Warning for northwestern Wayne County in south central Illinois. The alert was issued at 5:39 PM CST and is effective until 6:30 PM CST.

Affected Areas

The warning specifically impacts northwestern Wayne County. Locations in the path of the storm include Cisne and Johnsonville. At 5:39 PM CST, radar indicated a severe thunderstorm over Helm, or 15 miles southeast of Salem, moving northeast at 40 mph.

What You Should Do

For your protection, move to an interior room on the lowest floor of a building. Residents should remain alert for a possible tornado, as they can develop quickly from severe thunderstorms. If you spot a tornado, go at once to a basement or a small central room in a sturdy structure. To report severe weather, contact your nearest law enforcement agency, who will relay the report to the National Weather Service office in Paducah.

Expected Conditions

According to radar indications, the storm carries hazards of 60 mph wind gusts and quarter-size hail. Expected impacts include hail damage to vehicles and wind damage to roofs, siding, and trees. A Tornado Watch also remains in effect for south central Illinois until 8:00 PM CST.

Timeline

The Severe Thunderstorm Warning is effective immediately and is scheduled to expire at 6:30 PM CST on February 19, 2026.