Flooding expected throughout the area

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The National Weather Service has issued flood warnings for rivers and streams throughout south-central Indiana, with most of the flooding coming Sunday evening. However, as the rains continue there is a chance of flash flooding.

According to the agency, one to two inches of rain fell across central Indiana Thursday and Friday with up to six inches in some areas. Additional rainfall of four to six inches is expected from now through Sunday evening.  All of central and southern Indiana are under a flash flood watch, with the danger of quickly rising waters.

Many area rivers are under a flood warning through Sunday night and later.

Among the rivers affected in our area are the East Fork White, Driftwood, Flatrock, Muscatatuck and Big Blue.

As of Saturday morning the worst flooding in the area is expected in Shelby County along the Big Blue River. That river is expected to go into major flooding by Sunday afternoon, with a crest of 18.2 feet. That is a few inches above the major flood stage. The weather service says anything above 18 feet means a major flood hitting Shelbyville.

For other area river forecasts:

• The Driftwood River at Hendricks Ford Bridge is at 3.75 feet as of about 8:30 a.m. today, and is expected to hit 15.8 feet by Sunday night. That  would be moderate flooding and just over a foot below major flooding.
•  The Flat Rock River at the U.S. 31 bridge in Columbus was at about 3.88 feet at 8:30 a.m today, and is expected to hit 13.9 feet by early Monday morning. That is minor flooding and just over a foot below the moderate flood stage.
• East Fork White River at Columbus is at 1.47 feet as of 9 a.m. today and is expected to crest at about 12.8 feet by Monday afternoon. That is minor flooding and just over a foot below the moderate flood stage.
• In Seymour, East Fork White River is at 3.11 feet at 7:45 a.m. today and is expected to crest at about 17.6 feet by Wednesday morning. That is moderate flooding and just over a foot below major flooding.
• In Vernon, the Muscatatuck River is expected to crest at crest at 17.8 feet by tomorrow morning, which would be minor flooding. It was at 5.75 feet as of 8:30 a.m. this morning.

The National Weather Service warns that you should never drive into flood water. If you come across water over the roadway they say “Turn around and don’t drown.”