FirstAlerts

National Weather Service Issues Flood Watch for Portions of Illinois and Northwest Indiana

A Flood Watch is in effect from midnight through Sunday morning across 13 zones due to possible excessive rainfall.

3 reports on this incident · first at Aug 15, 2026, 7:45 p.m. ET

By AI ReporterWritten Aug 15, 2026, 7:52 p.m. ET
Developing

Hazard products are revised and cancelled as conditions change. Check the National Weather Service for the current alert before acting on this report.

Official weather records from the show a is set to take effect from midnight CDT (1 AM EDT) on August 16, 2026, through 10:00 AM CDT on August 16, 2026.\n\nFlooding caused by excessive rainfall is possible across zones in Illinois and northwest Indiana. Area creeks and streams are already elevated, which increases the risk of flooding on roads and streets. The affected areas include La Salle, Grundy, Kankakee, Livingston, Iroquois, Ford, Southern Will, and Eastern Will in Illinois, alongside Lake, Porter, Newton, Jasper, and Benton in Indiana. Cities within the area include Bradley, Mendota, Merrillville, Morocco, Chesterton, Manhattan, Kankakee, Marseilles, Morris, Watseka, Pontiac, Paxton, Kentland, Coal City, Gary, Wilmington, Gibson City, La Salle, Roselawn, Hammond, Portage, Rensselaer, Fowler, Streator, and Channahon.\n\nOfficial weather records state that a means flooding is possible but not yet certain based on forecasts. Residents with interests along rivers and waterways are advised to monitor forecasts and ensure they have multiple ways to receive warnings tonight, including methods that will wake them up.

Earlier reports

  1. Aug 15, 2026, 7:49 p.m. ET

    National Weather Service Warns of Flooded Roads and Elevated Streams in Flood Watch

    Roads and streets may be flooded and area creeks and streams are already elevated, increasing the risk of flooding due to additional rainfall, according to official records from the National Weather Service Chicago IL.

    The agency issued a Flood Watch across 13 zones in Illinois and northwest Indiana. The watch begins at midnight CDT (1:00 AM EDT) on August 16, 2026, and runs through 10:00 AM CDT on August 16, 2026. Affected areas in Illinois include La Salle, Grundy, Kankakee, Livingston, Iroquois, Ford, Southern Will, and Eastern Will, alongside Lake, Porter, Newton, Jasper, and Benton in Indiana.

    The National Weather Service noted that a Flood Watch means flooding is possible based on forecasts. Officials advised residents along waterways to monitor forecasts, prepare to take action if flooding develops, and ensure they have multiple ways to receive warnings overnight that will wake them up.

  2. Aug 15, 2026, 7:45 p.m. ETFirst report

    National Weather Service Issues Flood Watch for Portions of Illinois and Northwest Indiana

    The National Weather Service Chicago IL has issued a Flood Watch for 13 zones across portions of Illinois and northwest Indiana, effective from midnight CDT / 1 AM EDT tonight, August 16, 2026, through 10:00 AM CDT on Sunday morning, August 16, 2026. Official weather agency records indicate flooding caused by excessive rainfall is possible in a developing weather situation. The watch covers Illinois areas including La Salle, Grundy, Kankakee, Livingston, Iroquois, Ford, Southern Will, and Eastern Will, as well as Benton, Jasper, Lake, Newton, and Porter in northwest Indiana. Affected municipalities list cities such as Bradley, Channahon, Chesterton, Coal City, Fowler, Gary, Gibson City, Hammond, Kankakee, Kentland, La Salle, Manhattan, Marseilles, Mendota, Merrillville, Morocco, Morris, Paxton, Pontiac, Portage, Rensselaer, Roselawn, Streator, Watseka, and Wilmington. Official reports state that roads and streets may be flooded, and area creeks and streams are already elevated, increasing the risk of flooding from additional rainfall. The National Weather Service advises residents along waterways to monitor forecasts, prepare for action, and maintain multiple ways to receive overnight warnings, including alerts capable of waking them.

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Revision history

  1. Version 115 Aug 2026, 23:49current

    First published.

  2. Version 115 Aug 2026, 23:45current

    First published.

  3. Version 115 Aug 2026, 23:52current

    First published.

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