TL;DR: Southeast Indiana faced a Flash Flood Emergency for Fayette, Union and Wayne counties, with evacuations underway and the Whitewater River expected above flood stage.
Flash Flood Emergency declared for three counties
The National Weather Service issued a Flash Flood Emergency for Fayette, Union and Wayne counties due to severe thunderstorms that will likely bring more rain, according to FOX19. The Emergency is the highest level of flash flood warning NWS officials can issue, meaning the area could face catastrophic and potentially life-threatening conditions.
Cambridge City, Brownsville, Hagerstown and Connersville were identified as the cities that will be impacted the most. A Flash Flood Warning was also issued for Franklin and Ripley counties by the NWS.
FOX Weather reported Flash Flood Emergencies were issued for parts of Delaware, Fayette, Union, Wayne and Franklin counties Wednesday, with some remaining in effect through the afternoon. Local travel restrictions were issued due to impassable roads.
The broader storm pattern extended beyond Indiana. Severe storms Tuesday left damage across greater Cincinnati, with ongoing rain making recovery difficult for residents and businesses, according to WLWT. The widespread storms impacted areas of southeast Indiana, Northern Kentucky and parts of southwest Ohio, with photos and videos showing trees downed, power lines taken out and heavy rain causing high water.
Flood Watches were in place through Friday morning across portions of Indiana, Ohio, West Virginia, northeast Kentucky, western Virginia, Pennsylvania, North Carolina and East Tennessee, according to FOX Weather. A Level 2 out of 4 flash flood threat covered Chicago, northern Indiana, south and central Ohio, and West Virginia.
Flood Watch covered Indiana, Kentucky and Ohio through Wednesday morning
A Flood Watch issued August 11 at 12:05PM EDT until August 12 at 8:00AM EDT by NWS Wilmington OH covered portions of Indiana, Kentucky and Ohio, according to GovOneStop flood watch record. The watch listed Dearborn, Fayette, Franklin, Ohio, Ripley, Switzerland, Union and Wayne counties in Indiana.
The same watch listed Boone, Bracken, Campbell, Carroll, Gallatin, Grant, Kenton, Lewis, Mason, Owen, Pendleton and Robertson counties in Kentucky. It listed Adams, Auglaize, Brown, Butler, Champaign, Clark, Clermont, Clinton, Darke, Delaware, Fairfield, Fayette, Franklin, Greene, Hamilton, Hardin, Highland, Hocking, Licking, Logan, Madison, Mercer, Miami, Montgomery, Pickaway, Pike, Preble, Ross, Scioto, Shelby, Union and Warren counties in Ohio.
The description stated flash flooding caused by excessive rainfall continues to be possible. The timing was through Wednesday morning. The impacts section stated excessive runoff may result in flooding of rivers, creeks, streams, and other low-lying and flood-prone locations.
Additional details stated several rounds of thunderstorms were expected into Wednesday morning. Locally heavy rainfall could be expected with the potential for storms to repeatedly track over the same locations. The record stated this will result in the potential for flash flooding.
The instruction stated people in the watch area should keep an eye on the weather and be prepared for immediate action should heavy rains and flooding occur or a Flash Flood Warning be issued. The instruction also stated to avoid low-lying areas and be careful when approaching highway dips and underpasses.
Heavy rain overwhelmed creeks and streets
Between 7.3 and 10 inches of rain had fallen across western Wayne County within the last 24 hours, the Wayne County Emergency Management team said, according to FOX19. Crietz Creek and Symonds Creek were among the two areas with significant flooding.
According to NWS officials, law enforcement in Franklin and Ripley counties reported between 3 and 6 inches of rainfall. Police in Cambridge City posted video Wednesday of Main Street inundated with several feet of water as rescue teams worked in the flooded area, according to FOX Weather.
Water levels in Cambridge City appeared to be rising due to flash flooding from severe thunderstorms. Vehicles parked on the street outside of Seth Hardin's home were completely submerged. Hardin also documented a school bus in the neighborhood that was halfway underwater.
Brian Rea took multiple videos and photos from his home in Cambridge City as flood waters submerged streets and roadways. Rushing murky, brown water moved through Rea's yard, under bridges and along sidewalks in the neighborhood.
The Fayette County Department of Homeland Security and Emergency Management sent out a public safety alert at 3:06 p.m. that said, "Evacuate immediately!" Officials said the Whitewater River was expected to rise above its 18-foot flood stage and could possibly go as high as 23 feet.
If the river reached that height, it could impact Downtown Connersville from Veterans Memorial Drive North along West Western Avenue and east toward the Whitewater River. Connersville and Fayette County residents were asked to evacuate. Those living in Nulltown, Alpine, Robinson's Whitewater Campground and homes near Ott Road were told to closely monitor the flooding.
The Fayette County Sheriff's Office said several vehicles were swept off flooded roadways, although no injuries had been reported, according to FOX Weather. City officials in Muncie said firefighters went door-to-door to evacuate people from their homes.
Wayne County evacuations and travel limits
The historic weather event prompted multiple water rescues plus evacuations in Wayne County. Residents who evacuated homes were relocated to the Cambridge City Fire Department and the Golay Community Center, according to FOX19.
The county was under a Level 2 Travel Watch, meaning only essential travel was permitted. EMA officials said residents were strongly encouraged to avoid unnecessary travel in the affected areas and never attempt to drive through flooded roadways. EMA officials said roads may be washed out or damaged beneath floodwater, and water depth and current can be difficult to determine.
Dispatchers in Wayne County said emergency crews were out rescuing people from flood waters. Wayne County EMA Deputy Director Jon Duke said there was significant flooding in Cambridge City and Hagerstown, where water rescues were underway, according to reporting referenced by WISH-TV coverage linked in source searches. All county roadways were closed to non-emergency vehicles and non-emergency personnel in that reporting.
Town leaders in Cambridge City released a statement on what residents should do. The statement said, "We suggest residents be prepared for the possibility of losing utilities (electric, sewer, water for a number of days)." The statement said, "Until floodwaters recede and we have assessed the situation we will not know the extent of the damage."
For emergencies, residents were told to call 911. For all non-emergencies, residents were told to call 765-478-1231.
Union and Fayette counties ordered evacuations
Union County Sheriff Jeff Adams recommended residents evacuate, according to FOX19. Those who live on the edge of the western border of town to the railroad in Brownsville were asked to leave the area. Sheriff's deputies were going door-to-door to notify residents that they needed to evacuate.
Fayette County officials said residents and businesses in flood-prone areas were strongly encouraged to seek a safe alternative location now and leave while it was still daylight and roads remained passable. Officials said conditions can deteriorate quickly as river levels rise.
In Dearborn County, the sheriff's office asked people to take precautions as rain continued to come down, according to WLWT. Communities along Whitewater River and West Harrison were the biggest concern. The sheriff's office said, "We are expecting significant flooding along the Whitewater River this afternoon and evening."
The Fayette County Department of Homeland Security and Emergency Management ordered residents in certain areas to evacuate as the Whitewater River rose, threatening significant flooding, according to WLWT. The EMA said the river was expected to rise above its 18-foot flood stage and could potentially reach around 23 feet, which may cause significant flooding. Officials asked those in homes or businesses in flood-prone areas near the Whitewater River to prepare to evacuate.
Water rescues in Fayette County
Fayette County sheriff's deputies were dispatched to rescue people from vehicles after attempting to drive through high water. Multiple vehicles either stalled out or were swept off of the road, according to FOX19.
Around 12:30 p.m., crews were dispatched to W Country Road 750 N at Kent Road to help a man who drove through water, forcing him to stand on the hood of his SUV for help. Boats were deployed, bringing the man to safety. Later in the day, fire crews rescued a FedEx driver from flooded waters.
The sheriff's office said, "Thankfully we have no injuries reported yet, but we would urge you to avoid traveling through any water that is running across the roadway." The sheriff's office said, "If you see standing water, turn around and find an alternate route."
Power outages and severe storm risk
More than 2,000 residents in Cambridge City did not have power, according to FOX19. More than 700,000 customers were still without power early Wednesday afternoon, with most of the outages concentrated across Ohio, Illinois and Indiana, according to FOX Weather.
NOAA's Storm Prediction Center issued a Level 2 out of 5 risk of severe thunderstorms for central and southern Illinois, Indiana and western Kentucky, according to FOX Weather. The outlook included the outskirts of St. Louis, Indianapolis and Louisville, with damaging winds once again being the main concern.
In addition to the flooding, more severe storms capable of producing damaging wind gusts were expected across central and southern Illinois, Indiana and western Kentucky through Wednesday evening. The stormy pattern was expected to remain over the region for much of the week, with thunderstorms tapping into high humidity to produce heavy rain and a flash flood threat as storms repeatedly tracked over the same areas.
What households should do now
Do not drive through flooded roadways. Turn around and find an alternate route when standing water or water running across the roadway is present. Avoid unnecessary travel in affected areas where only essential travel is permitted.
Leave flood-prone areas while it is still daylight and roads remain passable when officials recommend evacuation. Seek a safe alternative location before river levels rise. Closely monitor flooding if living in Nulltown, Alpine, Robinson's Whitewater Campground or near Ott Road.
Prepare for the possibility of losing electric, sewer and water service for a number of days. Call 911 for emergencies and 765-478-1231 for non-emergencies in Cambridge City.