Local News

Summer Storms Hit McLean County For 2nd Straight Day

WGLT | By Ryan Denham

Published June 26, 2021 at 4:27 PM CDT

Updated June 26, 2021 at 6:26 PM CDT

1 of 7 — Severe weather in McLean County

Here was the view from Towanda Avenue just north of the Vernon/GE intersection on Saturday afternoon.

Joe Deacon / WGLT

2 of 7 — Interstate 55 closure

Interstate 55 was closed indefinitely near McLean until the road is repaired and the bridges are inspected, the Mt. Hope-Funks Grove Fire Protection District reported Saturday.

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3 of 7 — Severe weather in McLean County

The view from a residential neighborhood in Normal, near Fort Jesse Road and Blair.

Staff / WGLT

4 of 7 — Flooding in Normal

Looking south at Linden and Mulberry in Normal after Saturday afternoon’s latest downpour.

Charlie Schlenker / WGLT

5 of 7 — Severe weather in McLean County

The view from northeast Normal around 3:20 p.m. Saturday, as a Tornado Warning was in effect for Hudson and Chenoa.

Jamahl Epsicokhan / Courtesy

6 of 7 — Severe weather in McLean County

Sugar Creek in Bloomington-Normal early Saturday evening after a second straight day of heavy rains.

Charlie Schlenker

7 of 7 — Severe weather in McLean County

A view of flooding near University and Virginia, near Carle BroMenn Medical Center in Normal, early Saturday evening.

Charlie Schlenker

Summer storms hit McLean County for the second straight day Saturday, with fresh downpours and another series of tornado and flood warnings.

McLean County faced at least two tornado warnings Saturday afternoon—the first near northeast Normal and Hudson, the other in the rural east. Both have since expired. It's unclear if there was any damage or touchdowns. There was a tornado spotted around 4 p.m. near Ellsworth, about 15 miles east of Bloomington-Normal, according to the McLean County Emergency Management Agency.

A tornado watch for McLean County, which was initially expected to last until 7 p.m. Saturday, has since expired.

The flood threat remained real.

Flooding wrecked basements throughout Bloomington-Normal overnight Friday, where 4 to 6 inches fell in some places. Many roads in the southern half of McLean County were flooded, according to the McLean County Emergency Management Agency; a stretch of Interstate 55 between Shirley and McLean was closed due to damaged roadway. Southbound I-55 reopened around 11 a.m. Saturday.

Then came another downpour Saturday afternoon; many Bloomington-Normal streets were under water again. There is a flash flood warning in effect for McLean County until 8:15 p.m.

Authorities pleaded with the public to stay off the flooded roads. Bloomington Fire Department said it responded to over 40 stranded vehicles, making 17 rescues — before Saturday's fresh rain.

The Town of Normal on Saturday night urged the public to avoid the following areas until the water recedes:

Kingsley/Main/Center from Hovey to Division
Locust Street, just east of Fell
The underpasses along Vernon
The intersection of Willow and Linden
Franklin Avenue
Maplewood Avenue

And it's not over yet: There will be daily chances for thunderstorms through the upcoming week, according to the National Weather Service.

🔶 TURN AROUND - DON’T DROWN 🔶 Numerous roads in town are flooded and it’s deceptively deep. Numerous cars are stranded and water is over their hoods. If you see water across the roadway, TURN AROUND. It’s not worth losing your car, or worse, your life. #BloNo #Ilwx pic.twitter.com/nuLv55FsNT
— Normal Fire Department (@NormalFire) June 26, 2021

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