A tornado warning issued Friday night for parts of DeKalb County has been allowed to expire, though a flood watch remains in effect until 5 a.m. Saturday.

The flood watch impacts most of the northern Illinois region, coming after a line of severe storms pummeled the area Friday night.

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Flash flooding – rapid onset flooding caused by severe rainfall and in areas with poor drainage – is dangerous and can be deadly. Areas along rivers, creeks and waterways, or urban areas downstream, could see significant impact.

The flooding also could impact roads and bridges, according to the National Weather Service.

At about 8:29 p.m., NWS radar showed severe thunderstorms capable of producing tornadoes and high wind headed to the area.

Residents in the path of the storms and in the tornado warning area were urged to avoid windows, take shelter in an interior room or the lowest level of a building. If outside, in a mobile home or vehicle, they were urged to move to the closest shelter to protect from flying debris.

Dangerous storms were expected to hit Earville at 8:35 p.m., then Sheridan, Shabbona, Serena and Leland around 8:40 p.m., and Sandwich, Lake Holiday, Somonauk and Waterman around 8:45 p.m.

The path of the storms was expected to include DeKalb, Malta, Sycamore, Cortland, Hinckley and Maple Park.

An earlier tornado warning was issued at about 7:50 p.m. Friday for parts of southeastern Ogle and northern DeKalb Counties, including Kingston, Genoa, Kirkland and Rochelle, according to the NWS.

This story was updated at 10:40 p.m. April 17, 2026.