INDIANA — The National Weather Service has extended flood warnings to include additional rivers in central and southern Indiana as heavy rainfall continues to saturate the region.
New warnings have been issued for the Big Blue River at Shelbyville, the Flatrock River near Columbus, and the East Fork of the White River at Seymour.
Meteorologists report that between two and four inches of rain has already fallen over parts of the state. An additional one to three inches is forecast through Thursday morning, with locally higher amounts possible. This cumulative rainfall is expected to cause widespread minor river flooding, with pockets of moderate flooding likely across the East Fork White and lower White River basins.
The East Fork of the White River at Seymour is seeing significant rises. As of 10:45 a.m. Wednesday, the river stage was 12.3 feet. However, it is projected to rise sharply, reaching a crest of 18.1 feet by early Friday afternoon.
The ongoing weather pattern is expected to bring widespread minor river flooding across much of the East Fork White and lower White River basins. Pockets of moderate flooding are increasingly likely in areas where locally higher rainfall amounts occur.
Authorities are issuing a stern reminder to motorists to prioritize safety as water levels rise:
- Obey Barricades: Do not attempt to drive around road closure signs or barricades.
- Turn Around, Don’t Drown: Never drive a vehicle through flooded areas. Most flood-related fatalities occur when drivers underestimate the depth or force of moving water.
Residents in affected areas are encouraged to monitor local water levels and stay tuned to further updates from the National Weather Service as the crest approaches later this week.
“Turn around, don’t drown” remains the primary safety directive for residents in Daviess, Greene, Lawrence, Knox, and Jackson counties.
