Flooding spreads throughout area as rivers rise, runoff continues

Flood warnings are now in effect on more rivers and streams in our area as continuing rain adds to more than six inches of water that has already fallen this week over parts of our area.

Flood warnings are now in efffect for East Fork White River at Columbus and Seymour, Driftwood River, Flat Rock River at St. Paul and in Columbus, Youngs Creek at Amity and North Fork Salt Creek in Brown County.

According to river gauges, East Fork White River at Columbus is at 7.7 feet this afternoon, which is below the minor flood level of 9 feet. The river is expected to begin flooding early Thursday morning with minor flooding expected. The flood warning goes into effect late tonight and will continue until Friday morning.

In Seymour, East Fork White River is about three feet above the minor flood stage. The river is expected to rise above the 17-foot moderate flood level Thursday morning and to crest about half a foot above the moderate flood stage. The flood warning is in effect until late Monday morning.

North Salt Creek in Brown County is at 15.8 feet this afternoon, which is 1.8 feet above the 14 foot moderate flood level.

Youngs Creek and Driftwood River are both in the minor flood stage already and only minor flooding is forecast.

The National Weather Service in Indianapolis is also warning that there is ongoing surface flooding due to runoff from the excessive rain, including Brown County. A flood warning for those areas is in effect until 7 p.m. tonight. That also includes Monroe and parts of Greene and Owen counties.

Officials say that low-water crossings are inundated with water and may not be
passable. They urge you not to drive onto flooded roadways. Turn around and don’t drown.

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