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Flood Watch Issued for Eastern Iowa, Northwest Illinois

By Drooid · Sep 18, 2026, 5:08 PM UTC · How we work

Summary

National Weather Service FloodWatch

The National Weather Service issued a Flood Watch for eastern Iowa and far northwest Illinois Friday night through Saturday evening.
The watch cites a 60-80% chance of 1-3 inches of rain and a 10-20% chance of over 3 inches.
Officials warned that six inches of moving water can sweep a person away and urged drivers to avoid flooded roads.

Summary

Storm Risk Georgia

Storm Prediction Center places northern and eastern Georgia counties under a Marginal Risk for severe weather.
Georgia expects low-to-mid-90 °F temperatures Saturday with 20-30 % rain chance.
Oklahoma forecasters project Friday highs near 99 °F and Saturday around 100 °F, with strong to severe storms possible in the northwest.
Northern Iowa anticipates 1.5-3 inches of rain Friday, ending by 6 a.m. Saturday.
West Virginia thunderstorms tonight near the Ohio River may produce strong winds.

History

Historical Context

In spring 1993, saturated soils and record rains triggered the Great Mississippi and Missouri Rivers Flood, killing 50 people and prompting a $12-16 billion federal response. The National Weather Service and Army Corps of Engineers led the response, and FEMA-funded levee upgrades now underpin flood watches for eastern Iowa and alerts in Georgia.

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National Weather Service FloodWatch

The National Weather Service issued a Flood Watch for eastern Iowa and far northwest Illinois Friday night through Saturday evening.
The watch cites a 60-80% chance of 1-3 inches of rain and a 10-20% chance of over 3 inches.
Officials warned that six inches of moving water can sweep a person away and urged drivers to avoid flooded roads.

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