Shawnee National Forest
Extreme Heat Warning issued July 1 at 1:41PM CDT until July 3 at 10:00PM CDT by NWS St Louis MO
* WHAT...Dangerously hot conditions with heat index values up to 107. * WHERE...Portions of south central, southwest, and west central Illinois and central, east central, northeast, and southeast Missouri. * WHEN...Until 10 PM CDT Friday. * IMPACTS...Heat related illnesses increase significantly during extreme heat and high humidity events.
Extreme Heat Warning issued July 1 at 1:40PM CDT until July 3 at 8:00PM CDT by NWS Paducah KY
* WHAT...Dangerously hot conditions with daily heat index values peaking up to around 110 degrees. * WHERE...All of southern Illinois, southwest Indiana, western Kentucky, and southeast Missouri. * WHEN...Until 8 PM CDT /9 PM EDT/ Friday. * IMPACTS...Heat related illnesses increase significantly during prolonged extreme heat and high humidity events.
Flood Warning issued July 1 at 9:50AM CDT until July 2 at 5:00PM CDT by NWS Paducah KY
...The Flood Warning continues for the following rivers in Illinois...Indiana... Wabash River at New Harmony. .While water levels continue to fall at New Harmony, minor flooding remains forecast until Thursday afternoon. For the Wabash River...including New Harmony...Minor flooding is forecast. * WHAT...Minor flooding is occurring and minor flooding is forecast. * WHERE...Wabash River at New Harmony. * WHEN...Until tomorrow afternoon. * IMPACTS...At 15.0 feet, The river overflows low ground on the Illinois side. * ADDITIONAL DETAILS... - At 9:30 AM CDT Wednesday the stage was 15.8 feet. - Forecast...The river is expected to fall below flood stage by early tomorrow afternoon and continue falling to 4.7 feet by Saturday, July 11th. - Flood stage is 15.0 feet.
Overview
Shawnee National Forest is the only national forest in Illinois, spanning 289,000 acres in southern Illinois between the Ohio and Mississippi rivers. The forest is currently open and accessible for recreation. Developed campgrounds typically operate from April 1 through December 15, though primitive dispersed camping is allowed year-round for up to 14 consecutive days. Current alerts include: a public health and safety closure within the V-Plow Timber Sale Area, McClure Road (FSR 772) closed due to a culvert issue, water temporarily unavailable at Pharaoh Campground in the Garden of the Gods area, and a failing culvert on Oakwood Bottoms Road. There are also flooding operations underway at Oakwood Bottom Units. Trail segments are closed at Johnson Creek (footbridge) and Lincoln Memorial due to erosion. The forest features seven wilderness areas (about 10% of the forest), diverse oak-hickory forests, wetlands, canyons, and unique rock formations. Popular areas include Garden of the Gods, Bell Smith Springs, and Jackson Falls. No fire danger restrictions are currently in effect. Dispersed primitive camping is allowed anywhere on national forest lands except in natural areas, along lake shores, near streams, or on trails.
Community Posts
No posts yet. Be the first to share your experience!