Full Notification

...Heavy RainFall Expected Overnight... .A developing storm system over the central plains will move northeastward into the upper Mississippi Valley by Saturday morning. Strong south winds ahead of the storm will tap moisture from the Gulf of Mexico and produce a period of heavy rainfall across central and southeast Illinois The Flood Watch continues for

* Portions of central Illinois, east central Illinois, southeast Illinois, and west central Illinois, including the following areas, in central Illinois, Christian, De Witt, Logan, Macon, Menard, Piatt, Sangamon, and Shelby. In east central Illinois, Champaign, Clark, Coles, Cumberland, Douglas, Edgar, Moultrie, and Vermilion. In southeast Illinois, Clay, Crawford, Effingham, Jasper, Lawrence, and Richland. In west central Illinois, Cass, Morgan, and Scott.

* From 6 PM CST this evening through Saturday morning

* Heavy rainfall from last weekend has resulted in saturated soil conditions and river and lake levels being higher than normal. By Saturday morning some areas will receive between 1 and 1.5 inches. The precipitation will start out as a wintry mix during this afternoon and into part of this evening. As warmer air moves in from the south, the precipitation will change over to rain during the evening. Most of the moderate to heavy rain is expected tonight after temperatures are above freezing. This rainfall will quickly become runoff.

* Moderate to heavy rainfall will result in flooding of low lying or poor drainage areas, including flooding on smaller creeks and streams. Significant rises on larger streams and rivers will also be possible.

* AFFECTED AREAS: VERMILION ... CHRISTIAN ... CLARK ... MACON ... MOULTRIE ... LOGAN ... SANGAMON ... SCOTT ... DOUGLAS ... LAWRENCE ... CUMBERLAND ... COLES ... CRAWFORD ... SHELBY ... MENARD ... RICHLAND ... CLAY ... CASS ... DE WITT ... EFFINGHAM ... CHAMPAIGN ... EDGAR ... JASPER ... PIATT ... MORGAN

Instructions:

A Flood Watch means there is a potential for flooding based on current forecasts. Monitor later forecasts and be alert for possible Flood Warnings. Those living in areas prone to flooding should be prepared to take action should flooding develop. Never drive across a flooded roadway.