Scattered thunderstorms developed across southeast Illinois during the late morning and early afternoon of June 23rd, continuing into the early morning of June 24th.  Due to copious amounts of moisture in the environment and the slow movement of the storms, portions of Clay County picked up as much as 4 to 6 inches of rain in a short amount of time.  As a result, significant flash flooding occurred in Flora as well as parts of rural Clay County and adjoining counties in southeast Illinois.  Additional strong to severe thunderstorms developed further north ahead of an advancing cold front by mid to late afternoon on June 23rd.  These storms impacted locations from the Peoria area northward with strong winds and large hail.

Thunderstorm Wind in PEORIA, ILLINOIS
From 23-JUN-13 15:15:00 to 23-JUN-13 15:20:00 (CST-6)
Location: PEORIA
Magnitude: 52.00 EG
Property damage: 3.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Emergency Manager

An 18-inch diameter tree was snapped off about 15 feet above the ground near the intersection of University and Gale in Peoria.  A 12-inch diameter tree limb was blown down onto the road, blocking traffic on Glenwood and Columbia Terrace.

Thunderstorm Wind in PEORIA, ILLINOIS
From 23-JUN-13 15:15:00 to 23-JUN-13 15:20:00 (CST-6)
Location: PEORIA
Magnitude: 52.00 EG
Property damage: 4.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Emergency Manager

A 3-foot diameter tree was blown down in Laura Bradley Park in Peoria.  A 2-foot diameter tree was snapped at the base on West Ayers Avenue and a 10-inch diameter tree was blown down onto the 700 block of West Main Street.

Hail in PEORIA, ILLINOIS
From 23-JUN-13 14:38:00 to 23-JUN-13 14:39:00 (CST-6)
Location: ALTA
Magnitude: 0.75 
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Trained Spotter

Hail in PEORIA, ILLINOIS
From 23-JUN-13 14:43:00 to 23-JUN-13 14:44:00 (CST-6)
Location: PEORIA
Magnitude: 0.88 
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Mesonet

Hail in PEORIA, ILLINOIS
From 23-JUN-13 14:45:00 to 23-JUN-13 14:46:00 (CST-6)
Location: PEORIA
Magnitude: 1.00 
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Trained Spotter

Flash Flood in CLAY, ILLINOIS
From 23-JUN-13 10:45:00 to 23-JUN-13 21:45:00 (CST-6)
Location: CRUSE
Flood cause: Heavy Rain
Property damage: 9.00M
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Emergency Manager

Numerous thunderstorms produced 3 to 6 inches of rain on already saturated ground in nearly all of Clay County. Major flash flooding was reported in the town of Xenia and the city of Flora, where several people were evacuated from their flooded homes. Several water rescues were made for stranded motorists in and near Flora. In the northwest part of the county from Iola to Hord all roads were closed, including U.S. Highway 45.

Flood in CLAY, ILLINOIS
From 23-JUN-13 21:45:00 to 24-JUN-13 05:30:00 (CST-6)
Location: CRUSE
Flood cause: Heavy Rain
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Emergency Manager

Numerous thunderstorms produced 3 to 6 inches of rain on already saturated ground in nearly all of Clay County. Major flash flooding was reported in the town of Xenia and the city of Flora, where several people were evacuated from their flooded homes. Several water rescues were made for stranded motorists in and near Flora. In the northwest part of the county from Iola to Hord all roads were closed, including U.S. Highway 45. Due to the magnitude of the flash flooding, most creeks and roads remained flooded through the night of June 23rd into the early morning of June 24th.

Flash Flood in EFFINGHAM, ILLINOIS
From 23-JUN-13 12:00:00 to 23-JUN-13 17:30:00 (CST-6)
Location: WINTERROWD
Flood cause: Heavy Rain
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Emergency Manager

Numerous thunderstorms produced 3 to 6 inches of rain on already saturated ground in southern Effingham County. Flash flooding was reported in the towns of Mason, Edgewood and Eberle. Most rural roads were inundated, as were Illinois Route 37 and U.S. Highway 45, especially near the Clay County line.

Flash Flood in JASPER, ILLINOIS
From 23-JUN-13 11:00:00 to 23-JUN-13 15:30:00 (CST-6)
Location: WHEELER
Flood cause: Heavy Rain
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Emergency Manager

Numerous thunderstorms produced 3 to 5 inches of rain on already saturated ground in southwest Jasper County. Most rural roads between Wheeler and Bogota were inundated. The flooding on the roads quickly subsided by late afternoon.

Flash Flood in RICHLAND, ILLINOIS
From 23-JUN-13 12:00:00 to 23-JUN-13 15:30:00 (CST-6)
Location: WAKEFIELD
Flood cause: Heavy Rain
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Law Enforcement

Numerous thunderstorms produced 2.50 to 5.00 inches of rain on already saturated ground in Richland County. The worst flooding was in the northwest corner of the county near the town Wakefield, and the southern half of the county south of U.S. Highway 50. Nearly all rural roads in these areas were impassable, as was Illinois Route 130 between Olney and Parkersburg. The flooding on the roadways quickly subsided by late afternoon.