A slow-moving cold front passed across the region between the 20th and 22nd. Several upper level disturbances moved north-northeast along the front, touching off numerous showers and thunderstorms. The ground was already moist from snowmelt in the wake of the early December winter storm. On the 21st, a strong negatively tilted shortwave at 500 mb ejected northeast from the southern Plains, providing strong forcing for ascent. Widespread heavy rain and thunderstorms surged northeast in association with the strengthening surface low that tracked across the Lower Ohio Valley. Storm total rainfall amounts ranged from 4 to 8 inches, with isolated higher amounts around 9 inches in the southern tip of the state, from the city of Cairo to Massac and Gallatin Counties. Ditches and creeks quickly spilled out onto roadways and into nearby fields. There were numerous road closures and water rescues as waters continued to rise.

Flash Flood in WHITE, ILLINOIS
From 21-DEC-13 09:01:00 to 21-DEC-13 13:30:00 (CST-6)
Location: TRUMBULL
Flood cause: Heavy Rain
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Trained Spotter

Two feet of water covered the entrance to a nursing home in Carmi. Access by ambulance was difficult. City streets were flooded in Carmi, with water bubbling up through a manhole. A small lake overflowed, submerging most of the bridge along a private drive.

Flood in POPE, ILLINOIS
From 21-DEC-13 15:00:00 to 22-DEC-13 10:00:00 (CST-6)
Location: BRISTOL
Flood cause: Heavy Rain
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Trained Spotter

Highway 145 was closed about 1.5 miles north of Highway 146 due to flooding. Standing water was over the intersection of Highways 145 and 146. A calendar day rainfall total of 9 inches was reported at Herod.

Flood in MASSAC, ILLINOIS
From 21-DEC-13 14:00:00 to 21-DEC-13 23:00:00 (CST-6)
Location: BROOKPORT
Flood cause: Heavy Rain
Property damage: 10.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Trained Spotter

Widespread flooding of creeks and fields was reported. Numerous roads around the county had water over them. Eight inches of water covered parts of a main street in Metropolis. A lake overflowed its embankment. Massac Creek rose out of its banks and threatened to flood homes just north of Metropolis. A sewage backup occurred at a church. The total rainfall for the calendar day was 9.57 inches at a meteorologist's residence in the central part of Massac County.

Flash Flood in JACKSON, ILLINOIS
From 21-DEC-13 07:50:00 to 21-DEC-13 13:30:00 (CST-6)
Location: BARR
Flood cause: Heavy Rain
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Trained Spotter

Street flooding occurred in Carbondale, with water running over roadways. A trained spotter in Carbondale reported 3.32 inches of rain in about eight hours, with rain still falling.

Flash Flood in WILLIAMSON, ILLINOIS
From 21-DEC-13 08:07:00 to 21-DEC-13 14:30:00 (CST-6)
Location: MARION
Flood cause: Heavy Rain
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Amateur Radio

Water was running over several Marion city roads. There was standing water in several parking lots. Numerous roads were flooded outside the city of Marion, including Highway 149 near Hurst.

Flash Flood in GALLATIN, ILLINOIS
From 21-DEC-13 10:00:00 to 21-DEC-13 14:30:00 (CST-6)
Location: SHAWNEETOWN
Flood cause: Heavy Rain
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Emergency Manager

Numerous roads were flooded. Water was over Illinois Route 13 west of Shawneetown.

Flash Flood in SALINE, ILLINOIS
From 21-DEC-13 13:30:00 to 21-DEC-13 14:30:00 (CST-6)
Location: PANKEYVILLE
Flood cause: Heavy Rain
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Public

Water was up to the door sills of a pickup truck on the east side of Harrisburg.

Flood in WHITE, ILLINOIS
From 21-DEC-13 13:30:00 to 21-DEC-13 21:00:00 (CST-6)
Location: ENFIELD
Flood cause: Heavy Rain
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Public

U.S. Highway 45 was under water between Enfield and Mill Shoals. There was swift-moving water over the highway with floating debris just outside of Enfield.

Flood in WAYNE, ILLINOIS
From 21-DEC-13 18:00:00 to 22-DEC-13 20:00:00 (CST-6)
Location: WYNOOSE
Flood cause: Heavy Rain
Property damage: 2.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Trained Spotter

The Elm River rose out of its banks near Mount Erie, threatening a local road. A trained spotter measured 5.0 inches of rain since midnight, with rain still falling. Near Wayne City, minor flooding of the Skillet Fork River occurred. Low-lying fields and woodlands were underwater, along with river access roads.

Flood in SALINE, ILLINOIS
From 21-DEC-13 14:30:00 to 21-DEC-13 21:00:00 (CST-6)
Location: LEDFORD
Flood cause: Heavy Rain
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Trained Spotter

Water was over a roadway near Ledford.

Flood in GALLATIN, ILLINOIS
From 21-DEC-13 14:30:00 to 21-DEC-13 22:00:00 (CST-6)
Location: ELBA
Flood cause: Heavy Rain
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Trained Spotter

Widespread flooding occurred along secondary roads throughout the county. A trained spotter just south of Junction measured 8.10 inches with rain still falling.

Flood in JOHNSON, ILLINOIS
From 21-DEC-13 20:00:00 to 22-DEC-13 03:00:00 (CST-6)
Location: VIENNA
Flood cause: Heavy Rain
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Trained Spotter

On U.S. Highway 45 near Vienna, water was too deep for most vehicles to pass through. A vehicle dealership in the center of town had one foot of water over its parking lot.

Flood in HAMILTON, ILLINOIS
From 21-DEC-13 18:00:00 to 22-DEC-13 12:00:00 (CST-6)
Location: BROUGHTON
Flood cause: Heavy Rain
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Department of Highways

Highway 142 was closed due to flooding near Broughton.

Flood in EDWARDS, ILLINOIS
From 22-DEC-13 01:00:00 to 22-DEC-13 12:00:00 (CST-6)
Location: ALBION
Flood cause: Heavy Rain
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Trained Spotter

A trained spotter measured 5.9 inches of rain in about 24 hours. Considerable flooding of low-lying areas was reported.