Hot and humid conditions prevailed across the region July 27, as a warm front lifted northward into northeast Iowa.  Showers and thunderstorms developed along the Highway 20 corridor in Dubuque, Jo Daviess and Stephenson Counties during the early evening hours of July 27.  They continued to redevelop and move over the same areas for about 18 hours.  Record-setting rainfall totals of 7 to 15 inches resulted in flash flooding of much of the area.  The Mississippi River at Dubuque, IA even rose about 4 feet in 12 hours due to the excessive rainfall.  In addition to the heavy rains and flooding, some of the stronger storms producing large hail and a brief tornado.  High temperatures on July 27 topped out in the lower and middle 90s.  Due to the high humidity levels, low temperatures the morning of July 28 only managed to slip into the 70s and lower 80s.

Flash Flood in JO DAVIESS, ILLINOIS
From 27-JUL-11 21:00:00 to 28-JUL-11 03:00:00 (CST-6)
Location: EAST DUBUQUE
Flood cause: Heavy Rain
Property damage: 7.00M
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Law Enforcement

Torrential rains of 7 to 15 inches caused some flash flooding across Jo Davies County during the evening of July 27 and morning of July 28. Numerous streets were reported flooded in East Dubuque causing sink holes to form as well as buckling of the road rending them impassible.  A 70 year old woman died in the flood waters after being thrown from a vehicle overcome by flood waters while traveling along Long Hollow Road near Elizabeth, IL.  A 75 year old man died in his car which was swept away in flood waters near Galena, IL.  A Galena, IL man died of electrocution going down into his flooded basement.

Flash Flood in CARROLL, ILLINOIS
From 27-JUL-11 22:00:00 to 28-JUL-11 03:00:00 (CST-6)
Location: MARCUS
Flood cause: Heavy Rain
Property damage: 250.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Public

Torrential rains of 2 to 5 inches caused some flash flooding across the northern half of Carroll County during the late evening of July 27 and morning of July 28.  Several streets in the town of Savanna were flooded forcing the evacuations of 80 residents.  Portions of Mount Carroll along the Plum River were also flooded. Both railroad yards in the town were also underwater.

Flash Flood in STEPHENSON, ILLINOIS
From 27-JUL-11 20:30:00 to 28-JUL-11 03:30:00 (CST-6)
Location: WADDAMS GROVE
Flood cause: Heavy Rain
Property damage: 500.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Emergency Manager

Torrential rains of 3 to 8 inches caused some flash flooding across parts of Stephenson County during the evening of July 27 and morning of July 28. There were reports of cattle scattered through county by flood waters with some washed downstream. The flood waters were several feet deep in the town of Pearl City.  Two people died just west of Freeport, IL from carbon monoxide fumes from a generator use to pump water from a flooded basement.

Heavy Rain in JO DAVIESS, ILLINOIS
From 28-JUL-11 01:16:00 to 28-JUL-11 01:16:00 (CST-6)
Location: GUILFORD
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Trained Spotter

As of 216 am CDT July 28, the rainfall total 5 miles east of Galena, IL was 9.53 inches.  The rainfall intensity had decreased to a light rain at this time.

Heavy Rain in JO DAVIESS, ILLINOIS
From 28-JUL-11 04:17:00 to 28-JUL-11 04:17:00 (CST-6)
Location: ELIZABETH
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Trained Spotter

As of 517 am CDT July 28, the 12 hour rainfall total near Elizabeth, IL was 9.35 inches.  The rainfall total since July 21 was 15.97 inches.

Heavy Rain in STEPHENSON, ILLINOIS
From 28-JUL-11 04:50:00 to 28-JUL-11 04:50:00 (CST-6)
Location: LENA
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Trained Spotter

As of 550 am CDT July 28, the 10 hour rainfall total in Lena, IL was 4.85 inches.

Heavy Rain in JO DAVIESS, ILLINOIS
From 28-JUL-11 05:30:00 to 28-JUL-11 05:30:00 (CST-6)
Location: ELIZABETH
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: COOP Observer

As of 630 am CDT July 28, the 24 hour rainfall total in Elizabeth, IL was 9.52 inches.

Heavy Rain in STEPHENSON, ILLINOIS
From 28-JUL-11 05:50:00 to 28-JUL-11 05:50:00 (CST-6)
Location: MC CONNELL
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Trained Spotter

As of 650 am CDT July 28, the rainfall total 4 miles south southeast of Winslow, IL was 3.25 inches.

Heavy Rain in STEPHENSON, ILLINOIS
From 28-JUL-11 05:50:00 to 28-JUL-11 05:50:00 (CST-6)
Location: PEARL CITY
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Trained Spotter

As of 650 am CDT July 28, the rainfall total 1 mile west southwest of Pearl City, IL was 5.20 inches.

Heavy Rain in JO DAVIESS, ILLINOIS
From 28-JUL-11 06:00:00 to 28-JUL-11 06:00:00 (CST-6)
Location: GALENA
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: COOP Observer

As of 700 am CDT July 28, the 24 hour rainfall total 2 miles east southeast of Galena, IL was 13.45 inches.

Heavy Rain in STEPHENSON, ILLINOIS
From 28-JUL-11 07:10:00 to 28-JUL-11 07:10:00 (CST-6)
Location: LENA
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Public

As of 810 am CDT July 28, the rainfall total in Lena, IL was 5.58 inches.

Heavy Rain in JO DAVIESS, ILLINOIS
From 28-JUL-11 07:10:00 to 28-JUL-11 07:10:00 (CST-6)
Location: BLANDING
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Amateur Radio

As of 810 am CDT July 28, the rainfall total about 10 miles south of Galena, IL was 4.50 inches.  This report was relayed by NWS ARX.

Heavy Rain in STEPHENSON, ILLINOIS
From 28-JUL-11 08:23:00 to 28-JUL-11 08:23:00 (CST-6)
Location: FREEPORT
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Trained Spotter

As of 923 am CDT July 28, the rainfall total in Freeport, IL was 5.50 inches.

Heavy Rain in CARROLL, ILLINOIS
From 28-JUL-11 10:19:00 to 28-JUL-11 10:19:00 (CST-6)
Location: MT CARROLL
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Trained Spotter

As of 1119 am CDT July 28, the 17 hour rainfall total 1 mile north of Mount Carroll, IL was 3.10 inches.

Hail in JO DAVIESS, ILLINOIS
From 27-JUL-11 19:04:00 to 27-JUL-11 19:04:00 (CST-6)
Location: APPLE CANYON LAKE
Magnitude: 1.00 
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Emergency Manager

Quarter sized hail fell at Apple Canyon Lake or about 6 miles south southwest of Apple River, IL around 804 pm CDT July 27.

Heavy Rain in STEPHENSON, ILLINOIS
From 27-JUL-11 21:05:00 to 27-JUL-11 21:05:00 (CST-6)
Location: FREEPORT
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Trained Spotter

As of 1005 pm CDT July 27, the 2 hour rainfall total in Freeport, IL was 2.50 inches and it was still raining.

Heavy Rain in JO DAVIESS, ILLINOIS
From 27-JUL-11 21:05:00 to 27-JUL-11 21:05:00 (CST-6)
Location: GUILFORD
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Trained Spotter

As of 1005 pm CDT July 27, the 4 hour rainfall total about 5 miles south southeast of Council Hill, IL was 5.72 inches and it was still raining.

Heavy Rain in STEPHENSON, ILLINOIS
From 27-JUL-11 22:23:00 to 27-JUL-11 22:23:00 (CST-6)
Location: FREEPORT
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Trained Spotter

As of 1123 pm CDT July 27, the rainfall total since 8 pm in Freeport, IL was 3.00 inches.

Tornado in JO DAVIESS, ILLINOIS
From 27-JUL-11 18:18:00 to 27-JUL-11 18:19:00 (CST-6)
Location: GALENA
Tornado F-scale: EF0
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Trained Spotter

At 718 pm CDT July 27, a tornado was sited 1 mile northwest of the intersection of Highway 20 and Highway 84 or about 4 miles northwest of Galena, IL.

Heavy Rain in JO DAVIESS, ILLINOIS
From 27-JUL-11 19:50:00 to 27-JUL-11 19:50:00 (CST-6)
Location: STOCKTON
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Public

As of 850 pm CDT July 27, the rainfall total in Stockton, IL was 3.00 inches and it was still raining.

Heavy Rain in CARROLL, ILLINOIS
From 27-JUL-11 22:38:00 to 27-JUL-11 22:38:00 (CST-6)
Location: MARCUS
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Public

As of 1138 pm CDT July 27, the 3 hour rainfall total about 7 miles northwest of Mount Carroll, IL was 3.80 inches and it was still raining.

Heavy Rain in CARROLL, ILLINOIS
From 28-JUL-11 06:00:00 to 28-JUL-11 06:00:00 (CST-6)
Location: SHANNON
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Trained Spotter

As of 700 am CDT July 28, the 24 hour rainfall total in Shannon, IL was 4.10 inches.

Heavy Rain in STEPHENSON, ILLINOIS
From 28-JUL-11 08:09:00 to 28-JUL-11 08:09:00 (CST-6)
Location: ELEROY
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Trained Spotter

As of 909 am CDT July 28, the 15 hour rainfall total about 5 miles west northwest of Freeport, IL was 7.00 inches.

Tornado in JO DAVIESS, ILLINOIS
From 27-JUL-11 18:55:00 to 27-JUL-11 18:56:00 (CST-6)
Location: STOCKTON
Tornado F-scale: EF0
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Public

Around 755 pm CDT July 27, a tornado was reported about 3 miles northeast of Stockton, IL near Tiger Whip Road.  This report was relayed by the emergency manager.

Heavy Rain in JO DAVIESS, ILLINOIS
From 27-JUL-11 19:27:00 to 27-JUL-11 19:27:00 (CST-6)
Location: GUILFORD
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Trained Spotter

At 827 pm CDT July 27, the 2 hour rainfall total 5 miles south southeast of Council Hill, IL was 3.36 inches and it was still raining.

Heavy Rain in STEPHENSON, ILLINOIS
From 27-JUL-11 20:14:00 to 27-JUL-11 20:14:00 (CST-6)
Location: FREEPORT
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Trained Spotter

As of 914 pm CDT July 27, the rainfall total since 8 pm in Freeport, IL was 1.30 inches and it was still raining.

Heavy Rain in STEPHENSON, ILLINOIS
From 27-JUL-11 20:00:00 to 27-JUL-11 22:01:00 (CST-6)
Location: FREEPORT
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Public

Reports of nearly 7.00 inches of rain fell between 7PM and 10PM.

Heavy Rain in JO DAVIESS, ILLINOIS
From 27-JUL-11 19:00:00 to 28-JUL-11 09:00:00 (CST-6)
Location: GALENA
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Public

A storm total of 13.45 inches was reported in Galena.

Flash Flood in JO DAVIESS, ILLINOIS
From 27-JUL-11 18:24:00 to 27-JUL-11 21:00:00 (CST-6)
Location: EAST DUBUQUE
Flood cause: Heavy Rain
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Broadcast Media

As rainfall totals for the storm approached 2 inches, localized flash flooding began in Jo Daviess County, particularly from East Dubuque towards Galena.

Heavy Rain in JO DAVIESS, ILLINOIS
From 27-JUL-11 23:25:00 to 27-JUL-11 23:25:00 (CST-6)
Location: GUILFORD
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Trained Spotter

As of 1225 am CDT July 28, the 6 hour rainfall total 5 miles south southeast of Council Hill, IL was 7.50 inches.  Heavy rain was still occurring.

Heavy Rain in JO DAVIESS, ILLINOIS
From 27-JUL-11 23:30:00 to 27-JUL-11 23:30:00 (CST-6)
Location: STOCKTON
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: COOP Observer

As of 1230 am CDT July 28, the 5 1/2 hour rainfall total in Stockton, IL was 4.95 inches.

Thunderstorm Wind in STEPHENSON, ILLINOIS
From 27-JUL-11 19:49:00 to 27-JUL-11 19:49:00 (CST-6)
Location: FREEPORT
Magnitude: 56.00 EG
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Public

Wind gusts estimated to be 65 mph blew a tree down across Business Highway 20 in Freeport, IL around 849 pm CDT July 27.  This report was relayed by a media partner.  Thunderstorms also produced extensive tree damage with several limbs of 8 to 12 inches down.