Strong dynamics and deep moisture resulted in a significant heavy rain event.  Low pressure, which developed over the central plains, moved northeast along a warm front positioned over Northern Missouri and West Central Illinois.  One swath of heavy rain occurred Saturday morning and early afternoon in association with strong low level warm advection, as a strong low level jet of 60 knots through Oklahoma into South Central Kansas helped to bring deep moisture northward to destabilize the atmosphere.  This resulted in an increase in coverage and intensity of the showers and thunderstorms, which deposited a widespread 1 to 2 inches of rain by late Saturday afternoon.  A second round of heavy rain fell late Saturday evening through early Sunday morning, as the low pressure system moved northeast along the warm front.  Storm total rainfall amounts ranged anywhere from 3 to as much as 6 inches, with isolated higher amounts of near 8 inches.

Flash Flood in HENDERSON, ILLINOIS
From 12-MAY-02 03:00:00 to 12-MAY-02 05:00:00 (CST)
Location: BIGGSVILLE
Reported by: LAW ENFORCEMENT

Water covering several portions of Highway 34.

Flash Flood in HENDERSON, ILLINOIS
From 12-MAY-02 04:24:00 to 12-MAY-02 07:00:00 (CST)
Location: OQUAWKA
Reported by: LAW ENFORCEMENT

Henderson Creek rose out of it's banks and flooded nearby fields.

Flash Flood in HENDERSON, ILLINOIS
From 11-MAY-02 23:20:00 to 12-MAY-02 01:05:00 (CST)
Location: STRONGHURST
Reported by: LAW ENFORCEMENT

Ellison Creek just north of the Highway 96 and 116 junction went out of it's banks and into fields.  Some basements in Stronghurst were flooded.  Also, Honey Creek rose out of it's banks with water covering roads near Olena.

Flash Flood in HANCOCK, ILLINOIS
From 12-MAY-02 00:10:00 to 12-MAY-02 02:30:00 (CST)
Location: COUNTYWIDE
Reported by: LAW ENFORCEMENT

Several roads in Carthage were covered with water up to a foot deep.  One residence in a low lying area was evacuated.  Water covered a large portion of Highway 136 heading west of Carthage.

Flash Flood in HENDERSON, ILLINOIS
From 12-MAY-02 01:12:00 to 12-MAY-02 03:00:00 (CST)
Location: LOMAX
Reported by: LAW ENFORCEMENT

7 to 8 inches of water covered Illinois route 96.

Flash Flood in MCDONOUGH, ILLINOIS
From 12-MAY-02 06:35:00 to 12-MAY-02 09:00:00 (CST)
Location: BUSHNELL
Reported by: LAW ENFORCEMENT

Water up to a foot deep covered portions of Highway 41 making it impassable.

Flash Flood in MCDONOUGH, ILLINOIS
From 11-MAY-02 23:54:00 to 12-MAY-02 01:05:00 (CST)
Location: COUNTYWIDE
Reported by: LAW ENFORCEMENT

Many roads were covered in water and impassable.  Several people were stranded in their vehicles and had to be rescued.

Flood in MERCER, ILLINOIS
From 12-MAY-02 05:00:00 to 12-MAY-02 05:00:00 (CST)
Location: ALEDO
Reported by: LAW ENFORCEMENT

Minor flooding reported on some secondary roads.

Flash Flood in BUREAU, ILLINOIS
From 12-MAY-02 01:42:00 to 12-MAY-02 05:00:00 (CST)
Location: COUNTYWIDE
Reported by: LAW ENFORCEMENT

In Spring Valley, one of the two Kirby Park tennis courts was flooded, with water extending into the softball diamond outfield.  The dock at the Barto Landing was also under water.  A creek 2 miles northwest of Ladd overflowed it's banks, with water extending into fields.  A person escaped injury as their automobile hydroplaned off Interstate 80 and overturned.  Pike Road in southeast portions of the county was flooded.

Flash Flood in HANCOCK, ILLINOIS
From 12-MAY-02 02:15:00 to 12-MAY-02 05:15:00 (CST)
Location: CARTHAGE
Reported by: LAW ENFORCEMENT

Highway 136 and route 96 were covered with water and impassable in spots.