Low pressure tracking across central Illinois triggered a line of fast-moving thunderstorms during the afternoon of April 3rd.  The storms primarily impacted locations south of the I-72 corridor, with one cell embedded within the line producing an EF-1 tornado in southern Effingham County.  Thunderstorms earlier in the day dropped locally heavy rainfall of 3-5 inches across portions of Coles County, including 3.76 in Charelston.  Due to excessive rainfall rates over a short period of time, flash flooding occurred in the Charleston-Mattoon area.  Numerous roads were closed due to high water, including IL-16 between Mattoon and Charleston.  Several homes had to be evacuated and water rescues took place in a neighborhood on the south side of Mattoon.

Flash Flood in COLES, ILLINOIS
From 03-APR-18 08:45:00 to 03-APR-18 10:30:00 (CST-6)
Location: MATTOON
Flood cause: Heavy Rain
Property damage: 2.00M
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Emergency Manager

A steady, but moderate to heavy rain, moved into the southern parts of Coles County shortly after 7 am CDT. Thunderstorms caused the rain to intensify between 9:00 and 10:00 am CDT, when nearly 2.00 inches of rain was measured. Total rainfall ranged from 4.00 to 6.00 inches in about a nine hour period. Flash flooding rapidly developed in Mattoon, Charleston and other surrounding areas, where numerous streets were flooded and had to be closed. Illinois Route 16 was closed in several spots as well as parts of I-57 between milepost 184 and 192. Five houses in Mattoon were flooded, resulting in the evacuation of 11 people, where the water was 3 to 5 feet deep, mainly due to the flooding of Kickapoo Creek. Numerous water rescues were also conducted by local officials for people trapped in vehicles. Lakeland College just south of Mattoon cancelled classes due to all of the road closures from the flooding.

Tornado in EFFINGHAM, ILLINOIS
From 03-APR-18 15:34:00 to 03-APR-18 15:41:00 (CST-6)
Location: EDGEWOOD
Tornado F-scale: EF1
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: NWS Storm Survey

A tornado crossed from the National Weather Service St. Louis County Warning Area (CWA) in eastern Fayette County into Effingham County approximately 8 miles west-northwest of Edgewood at 4:34 PM CDT.  The tornado destroyed 5 outbuildings, a large grain bin, and a garage about one-half mile east-northeast of where it entered southwest Effingham County.  It also damaged the windows of a home and an automobile.  As the tornado continued, it damaged three farmsteads... where it damaged or destroyed six additional outbuildings, a camper, an unoccupied trailer, and numerous trees.  The tornado dissipated in a forested area about 3.4 miles northwest of Mason at 4:41 PM CDT.

Flood in COLES, ILLINOIS
From 03-APR-18 10:30:00 to 04-APR-18 01:00:00 (CST-6)
Location: MATTOON
Flood cause: Heavy Rain
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Emergency Manager

A steady, but moderate to heavy rain, moved into the southern parts of Coles County shortly after 7 am CDT. Thunderstorms caused the rain to intensify between 9:00 and 10:00 am CDT, when nearly 2.00 inches of rain was measured. Total rainfall ranged from 4.00 to 6.00 inches in about a nine hour period. Flash flooding rapidly developed in Mattoon, Charleston and other surrounding areas, where numerous streets were flooded and had to be closed. Illinois Route 16 was closed in several spots as well as parts of I-57 between milepost 184 and 192. Five houses in Mattoon were flooded, resulting in the evacuation of 11 people, where the water was 3 to 5 feet deep, mainly due to the flooding of Kickapoo Creek. Numerous water rescues were also conducted by local officials for people trapped in vehicles. Lakeland College just south of Mattoon cancelled classes due to all of the road closures from the flooding. Additional periods of rainfall during the late morning and afternoon of April 3rd kept many areas from Mattoon to Charleston flooded the remained of the day. The flooding subsided during the very early morning hours of April 4th.