INDIANA — The National Weather Service (NWS) in Indianapolis has issued a Flood Warning for multiple rivers across south-central Indiana following heavy overnight rainfall that is expected to continue through Wednesday night.
According to forecasters, torrential rainfall totals ranging from 3 to well over 6 inches overnight, coupled with additional precipitation today, are expected to produce major river flooding across the region.
Affected Waterways and Flood Expectations
The NWS alert covers several major rivers and tributaries throughout central and southern Indiana:
- Big Blue River at Shelbyville: Major flooding is expected.
- Driftwood River near Edinburgh: Significant flooding is anticipated along the river basin.
- Flatrock River near Columbus
- East Fork White River at Columbus
- Muscatatuck River at Vernon
- East Fork White River at Seymour: Minor flooding is currently forecast, with water levels expected to rise late tonight. Downstream sections of the East Fork White River can also expect minor lowland flooding.
Local Focus: East Fork White River at Seymour
For residents along the East Fork White River near Seymour, the NWS projects a multi-phase rise in river crests over the coming days:
- Current Stage: As of 9:45 a.m. Wednesday, the river stage measured 4.4 feet (flood stage is 12.0 feet).
- Initial Crest: The river is expected to cross flood stage shortly after midnight tonight, cresting at 16.3 feet early Thursday afternoon before falling Friday evening.
- Second Crest: The river is forecast to rise again to 16.6 feet early Sunday morning. While levels will begin falling again afterward, the river is expected to remain above flood stage for an extended period.
Potential Impacts & History:
At projected levels near 16.4 to 16.6 feet, historical comparisons show significant lowland flooding. During a similar event in June 2010, State Road 258 was able to remain open at 16.4 feet after the river rebounded quickly, following an earlier crest at 17.9 feet that had previously closed the highway.
Safety and Preparedness
Public safety officials remind motorists never to drive through flooded roadways. Most flood-related fatalities occur in vehicles, and water depth can be deceptively dangerous, particularly at night.
For real-time river stage updates and safety resources, visit the National Weather Service flood safety portal at weather.gov/safety/flood.
