The National Weather Service office in Milwaukee/Sullivan, Wisconsin, has issued a Flood Warning covering 31 counties across parts of Illinois, Wisconsin, and Missouri. The warning was issued early this morning, September 23 at 3:42 AM CDT, and remains in effect until Thursday, September 26 at 10:00 AM CDT.
Among the areas covered are Lake County, Illinois; Kenosha County, Wisconsin; Pike County in both Illinois and Missouri; Calhoun and Adams counties in Illinois; and Lincoln, Marion, Lewis, and Ralls counties in Missouri, along with 21 additional counties across the region. Much of this area sits along the Mississippi River and its tributaries, where water levels have been running high following recent rainfall.
What you might notice
Residents in the warned areas may see rivers and streams at or above flood stage, water covering low-lying roads, and flooding of fields, basements, and properties near waterways. Some rural roads may be closed, and underpasses or low spots along highways can collect water quickly. If you live near the Mississippi River corridor or smaller creeks feeding into it, expect water levels to remain elevated for the next few days, even after rain stops — river flooding often peaks well after the storms that caused it.
Who is affected
Anyone living, working, or traveling in the 31 warned counties, particularly those near rivers, creeks, or known flood-prone roads. Commuters should allow extra time and check local road conditions before heading out.
What to do
Never drive or walk through flooded roads — as little as six inches of moving water can knock a person down, and a foot of water can carry away a vehicle. Turn around, don’t drown. If you live in a flood-prone spot, move valuables and important documents to higher ground and keep a charged phone handy for alerts. Monitor local NWS updates, since warnings can be extended, upgraded, or expanded to additional counties as river forecasts change.
This information comes from the National Weather Service (NOAA), Milwaukee/Sullivan forecast office.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is my county included in this Flood Warning?
The warning covers 31 counties across Illinois, Wisconsin, and Missouri, including Lake and Kenosha near the state line and counties along the Mississippi River like Pike, Calhoun, Adams, Lincoln, Marion, Lewis, and Ralls. Check your local NWS office or weather app to confirm whether your specific county is on the list.
How long will the flooding last?
The warning currently runs until 10:00 AM CDT on Thursday, September 26, though river flooding can linger after the warning expires because water takes time to recede. The NWS may extend or shorten the warning based on updated river forecasts.
What should I do right now if I live in a warned area?
Avoid driving through any water-covered road, keep away from riverbanks and fast-moving water, and move belongings out of basements or low-lying areas if flooding is possible near you. Stay tuned to local alerts in case conditions worsen.
Is this flash flooding or river flooding?
A multi-day warning like this typically reflects river and lowland flooding, where water rises and falls more slowly than a flash flood. Conditions can still change quickly near smaller creeks, so treat any flooded road as dangerous regardless of the flood type.
Keep tracking this:
Source: National Weather Service (NWS)
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Sky & Solar Conditions at the Time
Moon: Waxing Gibbous (86% illuminated), in Aquarius.
Notable planetary angles: Mercury sextile Jupiter (61°), Moon opposite Jupiter (178°), Moon trine Mercury (117°), Sun sextile Mars (63°).
Concurrent space weather: planetary Kp index 1.0; strongest recent solar flare: nothing notable.
This is a factual snapshot, not a claim of cause and effect – researchers are divided on whether lunar, planetary or solar factors influence seismic or weather activity. It’s included so readers can track the pattern for themselves over time.
