Note: This story will be updated as more information becomes available.

Bartholomew County Emergency Management has released a list of roads closed due to high water. According to the agency.

Roads Closed:

• Lowell Rd, between 250 W and 325 W
• Southern Crossing/Jonesville Rd
• 150 E by Southern Crossing
• 250 S, between 400 and 475 W
• 50 N, between 600 W and 675 W
• Newbern Rd, N of the bridge
• Tellman Rd/200 W to Indianapolis Rd
• 200 N between 500 W/325 W
• 10043 N 330 W
• Riverside Dr, beind the Lagoons
• 1200 E between Base Rd and 200 S
• 475 E/100 N
• SR 11 south of the overpass
• 12490 S Jonesville Rd (SR 11, between 650S and 800S)
• 800S, east of SR11
• SR11, at 1100S
• 330 W, north of 450 N and North of Ohio Ridge Rd
• 300 E/600 S
• 325 W/Georgetown Rd
• Double Y Saddle Club
• SR 58/Spray Rd
• 550 W/Spray Rd
• 900 N, between 300 E and 200 E
• 600 E/850 S
• 325 W, between Lowell Rd and Georgetown Rd
• Water Street
• 100 N/200 W to Indianapolis Rd
• 325 W, between Lowell Rd and Carlos Folger Rd
• Georgetown Rd, W of 325 W
• SR 46 both directions Goeller to SR 11
• Indianapolis Rd/Arcadia to Indianapolis/Lindsey
• Carr Hill Rd, South of Jonathan Moore Pike (SR46)
• Entrance/Exit Ramps I-65 at 68 MM (SR 46)
• 250 E, between 600 N and Sugar St (Clifford)
• 50 W, between 550 N and 585 N
• 3700 Blk N 250 W
• Tannehill Rd/330 W to Driftwood Bridge
• 340 E, between Azalia and 650 S
• 7590 N 330W- just pass this address

High Water:

• 550 N, between 100 W and 50 W (one lane open)
• 200 S between 400 W and I-65 overpass
• Henry Lakes Blvd to US 31
• Indianapolis/Carl Miske
• Jonathan Moore Pike at Walgreens
• Golden Maize Dr
• Jonathan Moore/Carr Hill Rd
• 800 N/Base Rd

Parks:

• Mill Race South Side
• Noblitt Park
• Clifty Park
• People Trails
• Mccullough Run Park

Photo courtesy of Bartholomew County Sheriff’s Department.

Note: This story will be updated

Flood warnings are in effect for rivers and streams in our area, as newly falling rain adds on to the after effects of Wednesday night’s storms.

Flood warnings are in effect until further notice and many have been extended in duration as rain continues to fall.

Overnight, East Fork White River at Columbus and Seymour entered the major flood stage. Flood waters aren’t expected to drop back to the moderate level in Seymour until Tuesday morning. The river is currently forecast to crest today at about two feet below record flood levels.

Overnight residents in the hardest hit neighborhoods were encouraged to evacuate until the water recedes including those in Garden City, Walesboro, Bethel Village, Southern Crossing, South Gladstone, County Road 325W, Lowell Road, and State Road 46 .

East Fork White River at Columbus continues to rise and has risen to the major flood stage this morning Flood gauges predict the river will  crest this evening at about 6 inches below the record-setting flood level of 2008. According to Columbus Police, the city is now cutoff between the downtown area and western Columbus, with State Road 46/Jonathan Moore Pike now closed in both directions between State Road 11/Jonesville Road SR46 to Goeller Blvd with water over the roadway. This includes Interstate 65 exits/ramps at State Road 46. State Road 11 also closed yesterday between Columbus and Walesboro.

Yesterday, the Indiana Department of Transportation made the decision to reopen U.S. 31 at the Jackson/Bartholomew County line to allow more access to Columbus. The highway had been closed since early last week so crews could begin a bridge project there.

Columbus Regional Hospital yesterday lifted its flood gates as a precaution. The gates were installed in the aftermath of the 2008 flood, during which the hospital was seriously damaged by the rising Haw Creek.

There were also many water rescues in area communities as drivers continue to drive around barricades and road closing signs, and then  their vehicle gets stuck in the floodwaters. Authorities urge everyone to obey any road closings you come across. The National Weather Service says six inches of moving water is enough to knock adults off their feet, a foot of water can sweep away a car and two feet can carry off an SUV or pickup. They urge you to turn around and don’t drown.

Emergency officials in Bartholomew County also warned over night that there is a danger of a failure of the dam near Youth Camp Road. Shannan Cooke, head of Emergency Management for the county explained that the dam is leaking and a pump is currently working to help pump water levels from the lake down and reduce pressure on the dam.  Youth Camp is following their emergency plan. That includes notifying residents, local officials, and calling for a Flash Flood Watch a request for the Flash Flood Watch. Cooke said the watch gives residents downstream area a heads up to prepare for evacuation. She said the need to continue the watch will be reevaluated this morning. .

As of 7:30 a.m. Sunday morning, area rivers with major flooding:

• East Fork White River at Columbus: Major flooding at 16.5 feet, half a foot above the 16 foot major flood stage. The river is expected to crest at 17.9 feet this evening, below the 18.6 foot record flood level.
• East Fork White River at Seymour: Major flooding at 19.6 feet, half a foot above the 19 foot major flood stage. The river is expected to crest at 19.9 feet early Monday, about a foot below the 21 foot record flood level.
• Big Blue River at Shelbyville: Major flooding a 19.95 feet, almost two feet above the 18 foot major flood stage and a few inches below the record flood level of 20.2 feet. The river should be cresting momentarily.

Area rivers with moderate flooding.

• Flatrock River at Columbus: Moderate flooding at 16.2 feet, 1.2 feet above the moderate flood level of 15 feet. The river is expected to crest this afternoon in the moderate flood stage.
• Flatrock River at St. Paul: Moderate flooding at 10.7 feet, .7 feet above the moderate flood stage. The river is expected to crest soon in the moderate flood stage.
• Flatrock River at Rushville: Moderate flooding at 15.2 feet, .2 feet above the moderate flood stage. The river has already crested and is expected to return to minor flooding momentarily.
• Driftwood River at Edinburgh: Moderate flooding at 16.4 feet, 2.4 feet above the moderate flood level. The river is expected to crest by this evening right at 17 feet, which is also the major flood level.
• Sugar Creek at Edinburgh: Moderate flooding at 16.5 feet, 2.5 feet above the moderate flood level. The river is expected to crest in the moderate flood stage later today.

Haw Creek is no longer flooding at Hope, Clifford or Columbus. Clifty Creek is also no longer flooding. Muscatatuck River at Vernon never reached the minor flood stage.

You can find more details on river flooding on our website here: https://1010wcsi.com/weather-forecast/#flooding

Photo: Jonathan Moore Pike flooding overnight. Photo provided by Columbus Police Department.

Bartholomew County emergency officials are encouraging residents of the neighborhoods most affected by the major flooding on East Fork White River tonight to evacuate.

According to Bartholomew County Emergency Management, a shelter will be open at St. Peter’s Lutheran School at 719 5th Street in Columbus for those that will be impacted by flooding.

Residents in the Garden City, Walesboro, Bethel Village, Southern Crossing, South Gladstone, County Road 325W, Lowell Road, and State Road 46 neighborhoods are encouraged to evacuate until the water recedes.

Jackson County officials are making preparation as the community faces the most significant flooding since 2008.

According to flood predictions from the National Weather Service, rising water on East Fork White River has already passed the moderate flood stage and are expected to move into major flooding early Sunday morning. The river should crest at about 19.7 feet by Monday morning, but won’t drop below major flooding until Tuesday morning.

Floodwaters at that level would make this one of the five worst floods in county history and the worst since 2008. However the crest should be about a foot and a half below the record-setting 2008 level.

Toby Ortman, emergency management director for Jackson County, explains.

Ortman said that some of the hardest hit areas will include Cortland, Medora and northwestern Seymour. He said plans are being put in place to help evacuate those in danger in those areas, if needed.

Ortman pointed out that this will be the first major flood in the community since the removal last year of the low-head dam on East Fork White River just north of the Indiana American Water plant. The exact effects on the downstream river are not yet completely know.

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Jackson County community residents will be able to pick up filled sandbags from several sites, according to emergency officials. Ortman said that sandbags are available to the public in downtown Seymour at the parking lot used for the farmer’s market off of Tipton and Walnut streets. Emergency officials have also sent 15 skids of sandbags to the Medora area for residents to use. He said crews will continue to fill and make sandbags available as possible.

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Many roads in Jackson County are already closed due to high water. Officials say that the best place to get a complete overview of closed roads is through the county GIS system. You can find that link here: https://jacksonin.wthgis.com

Photo: Flooding on East Fork White River on Saturday afternoon, overlooking the site of the former dam just north of the Indiana American water plant. WRB photo

Forecasters and emergency officials now say that Columbus and Bartholomew County will be seeing major flooding in the wake of the heavy rain we have received since Wednesday’s storms.

But they also say this flooding should not be as serious as the 2008 flood, with the major impact for most people being travel restrictions on how to get into downtown Columbus.

According to river forecasts from the National Weather Service, East Fork White River at Columbus is expected to move from minor to moderate flooding this evening and then on to major flooding by early Sunday morning. The river should crest at about 17.4 feet, or almost a foot and a half above the major flood level by Sunday afternoon. It should drop back below the major flood level by early Monday morning, below moderate flooding by Monday afternoon and return to normal levels early Wednesday morning.

The crest is expected to be more than a foot below the 2008 levels.

Other area rivers are expected to see moderate flooding.

Bartholomew County Emergency Management says that the major flood levels could affect several low-lying neighborhoods including those along State Road 11 between Garden City and Walesboro, those along Southern Crossing, those along County Road 325W between Jonathan Moore Pike and Lowell Road, those on far South Gladstone Avenue and possibly Bethel Village.

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The biggest effect from the expected major flooding tonight will be on ways to reach downtown Columbus. State Road 11 and Southern Crossing are already closed, and Jonathan Moore Pike is expected to be closing overnight by rising waters. U.S. 31 on the south side of Bartholomew County is closed already at the Jackson County line by a bridge project there. Shannan Cooke, head of Bartholomew County emergency management says the only reliable ways to reach the city will be from U.S. 31 south from Edinburgh and from the east side of the county on State Road 46. Those already in the southern end of the county should be able to take U.S. 31 north of the road closing at the Jackson County line.

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Emergency officials warn that you should not drive around road closing signs. Even a foot of water is enough to sweep away a car while two feet can carry off an SUV or pickup. Cooke said that there have been numerous high-water rescues made today.

Bartholomew County Emergency Management Press Release
4 p.m. Sunday

The Bartholomew County and Columbus area is currently experiencing moderate flooding along the Driftwood and Flatrock Rivers.

Major flooding is forecast for the East Fork of the White River over the next 24 hours. Impacted areas will be along SR46 W (Jonathon Moore Pike) from SR11 to I-65, SR11 S, W CR325 S, and Lowell Rd. Based upon river levels and Flood Plan information, SR46 W is expected to close due to high water Saturday night/Sunday morning between Midnight and 2:00 AM. It will remain closed until approximately Monday midafternoon following the river crest at 16.70 feet.

Local officials are monitoring and will update as information becomes available. Now is the time to plan accordingly as this closure, along with the closure of SR11 south of the overpass at
SR46, Southern Crossing, and CR800 S, already closed due to flooding, will require alternate routes of travel to access the downtown Columbus area.

Alternate routes of travel in and out of Columbus from the south will need to be routed to I-65 at the Taylorsville’s (Exit 76) exit via US31 north and south. SR46 east of Columbus is not affected
by the closure. Officials would like to remind travelers that US31 South at the Bartholomew/Jackson County line remains closed for bridge repair. For travel south out of the
county, travelers will need to utilize I-65.

Local law enforcement would like to remind residents that driving around a road closure sign may result in a ticket from law enforcement officers.

Forecast flooding changed from Moderate to Major severity and increased in duration for the following rivers in Indiana… Big Blue River at Shelbyville. East Fork White River at Columbus.

Rainfall amounts of 6 to 8 inches in the past week and additional rainfall today is bringing major flooding to the Big Blue River at Shelbyville and much of the East Fork White River.

WHAT…Minor flooding is occurring and major flooding is forecast. This approaches the flood of record.

WHERE…East Fork White River at Columbus.

WHEN…Until late Wednesday morning.

IMPACTS…At 17.0 feet, Approaching a record flood. State Road 46 closed. Evacuations are likely on homes north of SR 46. Flood waters affect businesses along SR 46. This is the approximate height of the 100 year flood.

ADDITIONAL DETAILS… – At 11:00 AM EDT Saturday the stage was 10.6 feet. –

Recent Activity…The maximum river stage in the 24 hours ending at 11:00 AM EDT Saturday was 10.6 feet.

Forecast…The river is expected to rise to a crest of 16.7 feet tomorrow morning. It will then fall below flood stage late Tuesday evening. – Flood stage is 9.0 feet. –

Note: This story will be updated as more information becomes available.

Bartholomew County Emergency Management has released a list of roads closed due to high water. According to the agency.

Roads Closed:

• Lowell Rd, between 250 W and 325 W
• Southern Crossing/Jonesville Rd
• 150 E by Southern Crossing
• Marr Rd, SB Lane between 25th/National Rd
• Cottage between 21st St and 23rd St
• Central/Parkside, SB Lane
• 250 S, between 400 and 475 W
• 400 W, between 200 S to 250 S
• 50 N, between 600 W and 675 W
• Old Nashville Rd********
• Near the address of 100 N Wolfcreek Rd
• 12490 S Jonesville Rd
• SR 46/Belmont Dr (East of Belmont on SR 46) Turn Lane
• Bridge North of the 500 blk N 500 W
• Newbern Rd, N of the bridge
• Tellman Rd/200 W to Indianapolis Rd
• 200 N between 500 W/325 W
• 500 S between 250 E and 300 E
• Base Rd/600 E
• 1200 E/50 N
• 10043 N 330 W
• Rockyford Rd just West of Marr Rd
• Riverside Dr, beind the Lagoons
• 1200 E between Base Rd and 200 S
• 475 E/100 N
• 450 N from Marr Rd to Talley Rd
• SR 11 south of the overpass
• Enon Rd, between SR 9 and 250 N
• Sunland Rd, between 25th St to SR 9
• 225 N, between SR 9 and Newbern Rd
• 330 W, north of 450 N and North of Ohio Ridge Rd
• 300 E/600 S
• 325 W/Georgetown Rd
• Double Y Saddle Club
• SR 58/Spray Rd
• 550 W/Spray Rd
• 900 N, between 300 E and 200 E
• 600 E/850 S
• 325 W, between Lowell Rd and Georgetown Rd

High Water:

• Central/Rockyford northbound
• 200 S between 400 W and I-65 overpass
• 200 S/Spear St
• Middle Rd/Brentwood
• Henry Lakes blvd to US 31
• Talley Rd/450 N
• E Base Rd/Dellasburg Rd
• Entrance/Exit Ramps I-65 at 68 MM

Parks:

• Mill Race south side
• Noblitt Park

Note: This story will be updated

Flood warnings are in effect for rivers and streams in our area, as newly falling rain adds on to the after effects of Wednesday night’s storms. Up to another five inches of rain is expected through Sunday morning, according to forecasters.

Flood warnings are in effect until further notice.

East Fork White River at Seymour is already in moderate flooding and is expected to see major flooding by Sunday morning. Flood waters aren’t expected to drop back to the moderate level in Seymour until Monday morning. The river is currently forecast to crest Sunday at about a foot and a half below the record flood levels.

The following waterways are forecast to see moderate flooding in the coming days and lasting into next week.

• East Fork White River at Columbus
• Flatrock River near Columbus
• Muscatatuck River at Vernon
• Driftwood River near Edinburgh
• Sugar Creek at Edinburgh

Minor flooding is happening and is forecast on:

• Haw Creek near Hope, Clifford and in East Columbus
• Clifty Creek at Hartsville and in Columbus

As of 6 a.m. Saturday morning:

• East Fork White River at Columbus: 8.81 feet, .19 feet below the minor flood stage. Minor flooding is expected to start soon.
• East Fork White River at Seymour: Moderate flooding at 17.7 feet, .7 feet above the moderate flood stage.
• Flatrock River at Columbus: 10.08 feet, about a foot below the minor flood stage. Minor flooding is expected to start soon.
• Flatrock River at St. Paul: 5.48 feet, about half a foot below the minor flood stage.
• Flatrock River at Rushville: 12.91 feet, nearly three feet above the minor flood stage.
• Haw Creek at Hope: 10.18 feet, just over a foot above the minor flood stage.
• Haw Creek at Clifford: 13.47 feet, two and a half feet above the minor flood stage and about half a foot below the moderate flood stage.
• Haw Creek at East Columbus: 8.73 feet, more than 3 and a half feet below minor flooding.
• Driftwood River at Edinburgh: 13.55 feet, two and a half feet above the minor flood stage and half a foot below the moderate flood stage.
• Sugar Creek at Edinburgh: 12.26 feet, two and a quarter feet above the minor flood stage and 1.75 feet below the moderate flood stage.
• Big Blue River at Shelbyville: 15.42 feet, about half a foot above the moderate flood stage.

Authorities urge you not to attempt to drive through high water over the roadway. Especially in the dark, it is impossible to judge how deep the water is or the condition of the roadway underneath.

The National Weather Service says six inches of moving water is enough to knock adults off their feet, a foot of water can sweep away a car and two feet can carry off an SUV or pickup. They urge you to turn around and don’t drown.

You can find more details on river flooding on our website here: https://1010wcsi.com/weather-forecast/#flooding