Big Rains in the Area (LATEST UPDATE)

Heavy rains visited parts of our listening area, particularly to the east and southeast of Effingham.

Flooding has occurred in the Village of Dieterich, including reports of displacement of some residents from their homes. Dieterich Fire Chief Ross Martin said the rains began there between 10pm and 11pm Monday and continued through the day. Martin said Virginia Street and Maple Street were particularly hard hit with flood waters. He said there was water in some apartment units. Apartment dwellers drove their vehicles to higher ground, but some vehicles had water up to six inches from their door handles. 

Martin said he saw floodwaters three to four feet deep, and wouldn't be surprised if they had 10 inches of rain in the Dieterich community. Effingham County Emergency Management Agency Coordinator Pam Jacobs said the official rainfall total from the National Weather Service office in Lincoln for Dieterich was 7.4 inches. The total rose as you travel east, to eight inches at the Effingham/Jasper County line.

Here are other storm totals from the Weather Service: Altamont--2.1 inches; Mason--3.05 inches; Edgewood--2.8 inches; Watson--2 inches; Teutopolis--5.2 inches; Effingham--2.87 inches; Beecher City--2 inches.

Rain and hail delayed tractor pull action at the fair at Altamont Monday night, but the pulling continued later into the night.

Effingham Water Authority Lake Superintendent Mike Dirks has announced that Lake Sara is closed to all boating traffic until further notice

This photo illustrates water over the Newton Lake dam, even though the side discharges at the lake are wide open.

This photo is from the same general area, near Latona south of Wheeler.

The storms that have accompanied the rains have produced some amazing images. This photo is from near Martinsville...

We will keep you up to date!