UPDATED 3:40pm 5/15/09 Heavy rain has prompted the National Weather Service to warn about the threat of flooding locally and the City of Galesburg to shut down several streets and roads because of excessive flooding.
The National Weather Service has extended a FLASH FLOOD WARNING for Knox, Stark, Western Peoria, and Northern Fulton Counties to now run until Friday at 8:30pm.
The NWS reports at 8:52 a-m Friday Doppler Radar indicated thunderstorms with very heavy rainfall moving across the warned area. Up to three inches of rainfall has been estimated by radar since 5 a-m Friday, and an additional two inches will be possible through early afternoon.
Forecasters say runoff from the excessive rainfall will cause flash flooding to occur. Some locations that are expected to experience flooding include Abingdon, Avon, Fairview, Farmington, London Mills, Maquon, Yates City, Delong, Ellisville, Middle Grove, Norris and St. Augustine.
The NWS says excessive runoff from heavy rainfall will cause flooding of small creeks and streams, country roads and farmland along the banks of creeks and streams.
In addition, the NWS has issued a FLOOD WARNING for Warren, Henderson, McDonough, and Hancock Counties until 12:15am Saturday. Locations in the warning include Burlington (IA), Oquawka and Monmouth.
The city of Galesburg Friday announced the closures of several streets, roads and intersections due to flooding.
3:22pm UPDATE
Streets/intersections that are NOW OPEN:
Main and Allens Ave
W. Fremont Street
Linwood Road
Monmouth Boulevard
Streets/intersections that are CLOSED:
West and 6th
St. Andrews north of Fremont
S. Farnham from Clay to Robertson
W. Knox Rd. (Cty Line Road)
Pickard Rd. from Wesleye Ave. south
McClure St. from McKnight St. to Factory Ave.
S. Farnham St. is closed between Fifth St. and CH 10
5th Street Locust to Farnham
Knox Road 1440 N from US 150 north of the overpass and US 150 east of the overpass
Knox Road 650 E from California Avenue to Knox Road 1440 N
City officials say this is a "very high water event with major flooding." Everyone, especially children, are to stay away from all creeks, streams, and ditches as the high water will create strong currents that could pull people into the water. Street maintenance personnel are working to unclog the inlet drains and drivers are urged to use caution and avoid flooded intersections.
The city brush drop-off site on Pickard Road is also CLOSED.
There is also severe flooding occurring in Knox and Fulton counties as a result of several inches of rain that has fallen. The NWS warns that people should NEVER try to attempt to cross water covered bridges, roads or flowing streams - even small ones - on foot or in a vehicle.
Stay tuned to WGIL for futher weather-related updates as they occur.
(The areas in red indicate where a FLASH FLOOD WARNING is in effect, while the areas in green are under a FLOOD WATCH. Graphic courtesy National Weather Service.)
(Cedar Creek in downtown Galesburg was kept busy around noon Friday by all heavy rain. WGIL News Photos by Rick Heath.) |
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