Lake County Emergency Management Agency

08/11/2026

Severe weather is expected in Lake County today. Stay safe and weather ready today!

[7:37 AM CDT Tuesday 8/11/2026]

A cluster of fast moving severe thunderstorms will move across the area this morning. The image shows the approximate timing of these storms. Wind gusts in excess of 75 mph will be the main threat with the storms.

07/19/2026

06/12/2026

Stay clear of flooded roadways!

06/11/2026

A Tornado Watch has been issued for Lake County until 9 pm tonight. This means the current weather conditions are favorable to producing tornadoes.

This particular scenario is complex and has the right ingredients to produce strong tornadoes (EF2+) and large hail. The threat of widespread severe/damaging winds will increase through the afternoon and evening. Peak gusts may reach up to 70-80 mph.

Everyone needs to keep an eye on the weather today and have multiple ways to receive alerts. Our team at the Lake County Emergency Management Agency and our volunteers will be monitoring diligently and coordinating with our partners throughout the night.

Further updates can be found through the US National Weather Service Chicago Illinois

06/11/2026

A warm, humid environment is allowing for efficient rain rates as the storms move in from the west. Localized torrential rainfall is possible increasing the chances for flash flooding. If you come across a flooded road, remember: turn around, don’t drown!

06/11/2026

There is a threat for strong (EF-2+) tornadoes across northern Illinois this afternoon between 4 and 8 PM. The highest threat will be in the dark red shaded area. This area has shifted farther south than previously forecast. Take tornado warnings seriously, and have multiple ways to get warning information today.

06/11/2026

[5:09 AM CDT Thursday 6/11/2026]

A strong storm system will bring a threat for two or more rounds of severe weather today, followed by cooler and much less humid conditions on Friday behind the system's cold front.

Another cold front will bring showers and scattered thunderstorms late day Saturday through Saturday night, followed by a cool and breezy Sunday.

Stay tuned for the latest updates at weather.gov/Chicago !

05/06/2026

Although floodwaters may be gone, please see the info below from Lake County, IL Government for safety and debris removal from the recent floods.

When floodwater reaches your property, it often leaves behind more than damage. Floodwater can contain sewage, bacteria and contaminants, while also creating the perfect conditions for mold growth. As cleanup continues across Lake County, here’s what to keep in mind:

04/29/2026

Please see the message from Lake County, IL Government for damage assessment due to recent flooding in Lake County.

Lake County Stormwater Management Commission (SMC) has lowered its current Flood Threat Alert Status from Red to Orange. This signals that the county is no longer experiencing major flooding.

The county averaged just over half an inch of rain from yesterday’s storms. This should only have a minimal impact on current flood levels. There is potential light rain in the forecast for tonight, but the rest of the week is expected to be dry. This should help the high river levels start to recover and lower.

We’re still monitoring river levels and will continue to provide updates and details as they’re available.

Portions of the Upper Fox River and Chain O’Lakes have dropped into Minor Flood status, while some areas remain in a Moderate Flood. The Lower Fox River in the Barrington area is in Moderate Flood status. With limited rain in the forecast, the Fox River and Chain O’Lakes should begin slowly lowering, but could remain high for another week or two.

There continues to be a threat of flood impacts to businesses and properties in these areas. Please stay alert if you’re located in a flood-prone area.

The Fox River Status Report is available to review:https://dnr.illinois.gov/content/dam/soi/en/web/dnr/waterresources/documents/Fox%20River%20Status%20Update%2004-27-26.pdf

The most up to date flood information, including information about anticipated flood impacts, can be found on the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) website.
Information about the Chain O’Lakes: https://water.noaa.gov/gauges/FLVI2
Information about the Barrington area: https://water.noaa.gov/gauges/MHYI2 and https://water.noaa.gov/gauges/AFBI2

For further flood resource information, visit SMC’s Flood Response page: https://www.lakecountyil.gov/5349/Lake-County-SMC-Flood-Response

04/24/2026

We 💙 our volunteers! In honor of Volunteer Appreciation Week, we wanted to take a moment to recognize our amazing EMA volunteers for all they do in blue sky days, gray sky days, and every day in between! LCEMA is lucky to have such amazing volunteers! Thank you for all you do!