IL

Storm restoration across Alexander County

Alexander County occupies the southernmost tip of Illinois, wedged between the Mississippi River to the west and the Ohio River to the east, making it one of the most flood-prone counties in the state. The county sits within the NWS Paducah forecast area and lies in the path of Tornado Alley as it has shifted eastward into southern Illinois, exposing communities to tornadoes, large hail, derechos, and straight-line winds from spring through fall. Mississippi River flooding is a recurring and historically catastrophic hazard: in January 2016, the Len Small Levee between Cairo and Thebes breached, flooding roughly 125 structures including 50 to 60 homes, and Thebes recorded an all-time river crest of 47.74 feet. Winter storms, including ice and heavy snow, pose an additional risk given the county's annual mean precipitation of approximately 46 inches and temperature swings from below 0 degrees F to over 100 degrees F.