Live Blog: McLean County EMA says no more severe weather warnings expected tonight

The McLean County Emergency Management Agency says they don't expect any more severe warnings for the county this evening.

In a Facebook post, the McLean County EMA said they were "just on a call with [National Weather Service]; we do not anticipate any more severe warnings for the county this evening. We got lucky and most of the severe stuff went around us."

"Flooding is ongoing and will continue to be an issue through the evening. Keep in mind, this is Illinois — anything can happen and weather changes," McLean County EMA posted.

The National Weather Service has downgraded McLean County's risk of severe weather for the rest of the night.

McLean County, including Bloomington-Normal, is now at a Level 3 (Enhanced) risk, on a scale of 1 to 5. We had been at Level 4 since Tuesday.

The biggest tornado threat is now well south of Bloomington-Normal, near or south of Interstate 72.

We're not out of the woods entirely. The tornado watch remains in effect for McLean County until 10 p.m.

National Weather Service

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There's a tornado watch in effect for McLean County until 10 p.m. tonight.

From the National Weather Service in Lincoln: "The tornado threat will increase across central Illinois between 3-5 p.m. Have multiple ways to receive warnings, and be ready to activate your severe weather safety plan."

The Illinois State University campus will close at 2 p.m. Wednesday, with all evening classes and events canceled for the rest of the day as a strong storm system moves through Bloomington-Normal.

ISU announced classes scheduled to begin at 2 p.m. or later are canceled and will not be delivered remotely.

Only weather-essential personnel should report to work.

Residence halls, the heating plant and ISU Police remain open. Watterson Dining Commons will close at 7 p.m. and all other university buildings will remain closed from 2 p.m. until midnight tonight.

The university said those involved in camps, campus previews and other events will receive communications directly from their event organizers.

Operations are expected to resume as scheduled Thursday. Dining centers will open at regular times, though the university said retail dining locations may have delayed start times Thursday.

With severe weather expected throughout the day, several City of Bloomington programs, activities, and facilities have been canceled, adjusted, or closed.

Today's impacts include:

• The Lunchtime Concert at Withers Park has been canceled.
• Miller Park Zoo is closed for the remainder of the day.
• Bloomington Ice Center closed at 11:30 a.m.
• Lincoln Leisure Center will close no later than 2 p.m.
• The Adult Center at Miller Park Pavilion will close no later than 1 p.m.
• Holiday Day Camp has been shortened, with pickup no later than 1 p.m.
• Morning Swim, Riverwalk, Learn to Dive, and Mermaid Lessons have been canceled.
• Tennis lessons, T-Ball, FUNdamental T-Ball, Youth Soccer, Adult Soccer League matches, Adult Pickleball, and FUNdamental Sand Volleyball programs have been canceled.
• All Bloomington Parks & Recreation evening programs have been canceled.

All four public pools in Bloomington-Normal are closed for the day.

They are:

• Karraker Aquatic Center, Normal
• Anderson Aquatic Center, Normal
• Holiday Pool, Bloomington
• O'Neil Aquatics Center, Bloomington

You can see more parks and rec cancellations on the Bloomington or Normal Facebook pages.

Heartland Community College has cancelled all classes for Wednesday beginning at 1 p.m. due to severe weather concerns.

The cancellation includes all regular classes at the Normal, Pontiac, and Lincoln locations and all Continuing Education and Kids@Heartland classes.

Due to severe weather in our region today, the 2026 History Makers Gala will now be held Thursday. Doors will open at 5:30 and the program will start at 6:15 p.m. in Illinois State University’s Brown Ballroom.

McLean County Museum of History staff are working to notify all attendees via email, phone calls, the local media, social media, and their website at mchistory.org.

The museum is unable to issue refunds. If you or one of your guests are unable to attend, you may send someone else. They would simply look for your name or the guests' name at check-in. If someone else is attending, please email development@mchistory.org to let museum staff know.

The museum, at 200 N. Main St. in Bloomington, will also close at 1 p.m. Wednesday.

If you have any questions or concerns, please contact the museum at 309-827-0428 or email development@mchistory.org.