Tornado Warning Issued for Champaign, McLean, De Witt, and Piatt Counties in Central Illinois

Alert Details

The National Weather Service in Lincoln has issued a Tornado Warning for parts of central and east-central Illinois. The warning was issued after radar indicated rotation within a severe thunderstorm moving through the region.

Affected Areas

The warning covers the following geographic areas:

• Northeastern Piatt County in central Illinois
• Northeastern De Witt County in central Illinois
• Southeastern McLean County in central Illinois
• Northwestern Champaign County in east central Illinois

Specific locations in the path of the storm include Mahomet and Mansfield around 7:00 PM CDT, and Fisher around 7:10 PM CDT. This alert also includes Interstate 57 between mile markers 249 and 255, and Interstate 74 between mile markers 160 and 172.

What You Should Do

TAKE COVER NOW! Move to a basement or an interior room on the lowest floor of a sturdy building. Avoid windows. If you are outdoors, in a mobile home, or in a vehicle, move to the closest substantial shelter and protect yourself from flying debris. Flying debris will be dangerous to those caught without shelter. Mobile homes will be damaged or destroyed.

Expected Conditions

At 6:56 PM CDT, a severe thunderstorm capable of producing a tornado was located near Mansfield, or 9 miles north of Monticello, moving northeast at 50 mph. Radar has indicated rotation. Expected hazards include a tornado and hail up to 0.75 inches. Residents should expect damage to roofs, windows, and vehicles, as well as likely tree damage.

Timeline

The Tornado Warning is effective immediately as of 6:56 PM CDT and is currently set to expire at 7:30 PM CDT on March 15, 2026.