Weather
Quad Cities Weather: Flooding Risk Lingers Tonight
Moline, IL – Flooding remains a concern across portions of western Illinois Thursday evening even as widespread rain gradually shifts east and south of the Quad Cities region.
By Audrey Sloan · 2026-10-01T21:22:39.368Z
Moline, IL – Flooding remains a concern across portions of western Illinois Thursday evening even as widespread rain gradually shifts east and south of the Quad Cities region.
According to the National Weather Service Quad Cities office, urban and small stream flooding was already occurring Thursday afternoon, Oct. 1. A Flood Watch remains in effect for portions of the region through late Thursday evening, while some areas have been changed to Areal Flood Warnings.
The primary flood risk area shown by the weather service includes portions of western Illinois around Moline, Sterling and Princeton. Another Flood Watch area extends into northeast Missouri near Memphis.
Forecasters said an additional 0.25 to 0.50 inches of rain could fall after 6 p.m., with the highest amounts expected in Illinois. Locations with poor drainage and areas that recently received heavy rain face an increased flooding risk.
Rainfall is expected to diminish as the evening progresses. The heaviest rain should continue shifting east and south through about 8 p.m., according to the NWS.
Forecast rainfall after 6 p.m. includes about 0.36 inches at Princeton through midnight and 0.46 inches at Macomb through early Friday. Moline could receive about 0.11 inches, while Sterling could see about 0.10 inches.
Flooding could affect roads, low lying areas, fields and basements, while rivers and smaller streams could continue rising.
The weather service urges drivers and pedestrians not to enter flooded roads. Water levels and flow rates can change quickly during flooding.
Conditions should improve from west to east Thursday evening as the rain ends, but residents in flood prone locations should continue monitoring NWS alerts until the remaining watches and warnings expire or are canceled.