Haw Creek pushed into minor flooding by overnight rains

Updated

Last night’s heavy rains led to a flood warning for Haw Creek in northeastern Bartholomew County and to some flash flooding.

The National Weather Service in Indianapolis says 3 to 5 inches of rain was dumped in a small area around southern Shelby and northeastern Bartholomew counties last night. Haw Creek was quickly pushed into a flood stage. The creek appears to have peaked at 13.46 feet in Hope at about 1:45 this morning, about a foot and a half above the moderate flood stage.

Downstream at Clifford, the river peaked at 12.89 feet, almost a foot above the 12 foot minor flood stage at abut 6:15 a.m. this morning.

During the worst of the rain last night, flash flood warnings were issued for the area. Local law enforcement reported flood waters covering the road on State Road 252 in far southern Shelby county and water was over the roadway on State Road 9.

The weather service warns that you should never drive into floodwaters. Most flood deaths occur in vehicles and you should turn around and don’t drown.

Haw Creek is expected to drop back below the flood stage early this morning.