East Fork White River turning into major flood event at Seymour

Forecasters are upgrading the expected flooding on East Fork White River at Seymour to a major flood event.

According to river gauges, moderate flooding is ongoing this afternoon and the river is just below the 19 foot major flood stage at 18.9 feet. It is expected to rise to the major flood level later this evening. It is expected to crest at 19.3 feet early Friday morning.

The National Weather Service says that at 19.4 feet, Lower Rockford Road just south of Reddington Road will become impassable, based on local historic information.

The river is expected to return to the moderate flood level by Friday afternoon and drop back to minor flooding by Sunday evening. It is not expected to return to normal levels until later next week.

Upstream at Columbus, East Fork White River is expected to crest at just below the moderate flood level of 14 feet by Friday morning. It is at just over 12.5 feet this afternoon and still rising. The river is not expected to drop back below flood levels until Sunday morning.

Flood warnings remain in effect for rivers including Young’s Creek at Amity, Sugar Creek and Driftwood River, Clifty Creek, Flat Rock River and Haw Creek, as well as Big Blue River and Little Blue River in Shelby County and North Salt Creek in Nashville.

Our area has received between 2 and 5 inches already and more is forecast, which could lead to higher flood levels that last longer than currently forecast.