Brought to you by WBIW News and Network Indiana
Last updated on Wednesday, March 19, 2008
(BEDFORD) - This week is National Flood Safety Week, and what a perfect week for it.
Flooding is bad enough throughout Southern Indiana that the United States Coast Guard has dispatched a detachment to measure flooding levels.
The National Weather Service is warning area residents that major flooding will occur along the East Fork of the White River.
Orange County is still under a state of emergency, Martin County was under emergency conditions, however, those have been lifted.
Orange County Emergency Management Director Jeff Combs told WBIW News people in Orange County need to stay home, and if they're already on the road, don't enter the water. Almost all roads in Orange County are covered with 1 to 2 feet of water.
Combs also said the only passable roadway through Orange County right now is IN-37 south of Paoli, heading to Crawford County.
Orange County already has one shelter open in Paoli and the Red Cross has another running. Combs says the West Baden Springs Hotel has already been evacuated, as have areas in Paoli as of last night, and French Lick this morning. As of last information, French Lick police still have the town closed down.
The Martin County Sheriff's Department has confirmed significant flooding throughout their roadways.
Jackson County Emergency Management Director Duane Davis says the NWS estimate of 70% flooding could be accurate. Davis says areas especially south of the river are having major problems.
Also, in Jackson County, Davis says there are culverts plugged by debris that are causing flooding where there normally isn't any.
Meteorologists are estimating the East Fork near Bedford will get just shy of 12 feet over flood stage by Saturday night, which means Bedfordites could see some home flooding.
In Williams, flood levels were expected to get beyond 6.5 feet over flood stage by this afternoon, and it can be expected to continue to rise above that.
Shoals is already facing water levels 6.7 feet over flood stage. At 10 feet above, a number of areas will need to be evacuated.
NWS meteorologists are saying flooding problems from this storm could resemble issues seen in May of 1996, however, they say it shouldn't be as bad as it was in January of last year.
Keep tuned to WBIW as we will bring you the most up-to-date flooding information as it becomes available.
Closed State and US Highways
Only in immediate area
IN-450: From east of Williams through Shoals
IN-337: From Orleans through Livonia
US-150: From Shoals to Prospect through Paoli
IN-37: From Paoli through Orleans
Closed Lawrence County Roads
Avoca Eureka Rd.
Bartlettsville Rd.
Buddha Rd.
Church Camp Rd.
Donica Church Rd.
Dunn Bridge Rd.
Earl Rd.
Erie Church Rd.
Fayetteville Owensburg Rd.
Harrodsburg Rd.
Huron Williams Rd.
I St.
Lawrenceport Rd.
Lincoln Rd.
Little Salt Creek Run
Mica Metals
Mill Creek Rd.
Old Buddha Rd.
Old Farm Rd.
Peerless Rd. (by the bridge)
Pumphouse Rd.
Rabbitsville Rd.
Rager Rd.
Red Crane Rd.
Woody Farm Rd.
Woodville Rd.
Yockey Rd.
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