The science behind Illinois’ August flooding
Parts of Central Illinois recorded over 9 to 10 inches of heavy rainfall during August storms. Stephanie Orellana / Illinois Public Media
Heavy rainfall poured over Central Illinois in mid-August. A “ring of fire” fueled multiple rounds of thunderstorms across the state.
Areas near Interstate 74 received massive amounts of rain over three days between 3 and 6 inches with other places getting dangerous downpours of 8 to 12 inches.
Champaign county faced wall to wall flash flood warning, with one flood-related fatality.
Illinois State Climatologist with the Prairie Research Institute, Trent Ford, and Associate Professor in the Department of Climate, Meteorology and Atmospheric Sciences at the University of Illinois Urbana Champaign, Deanna Hence discuss why Illinois experienced so much flooding over the summer.
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