Hamilton County Emergency Management has issued a Travel Watch as heavy rainfall and flash flooding create hazardous road conditions across the county.
Officials are recommending that residents limit travel to essential trips, including travel to and from work and emergency situations. The Travel Watch will remain in effect until conditions improve.
The advisory follows several rounds of heavy rain across central Indiana. According to the National Weather Service in Indianapolis, 4.12 inches of rain was measured near Noblesville from early Tuesday through early Thursday. Other two-day totals included 3.51 inches near Westfield, 3.50 inches near Carmel and 3.21 inches near Fishers—all before the latest round of storms.
Forecasters said Friday morning that additional heavy rain could worsen what they described as an already significant flooding event. Storms repeatedly moving over the same areas can quickly overwhelm drainage systems and cause creeks, streams and low-lying roads to flood.
A Travel Watch is the middle level of Indiana’s three-tier local travel advisory system, above an Advisory but below a Warning. Under the state definition, a Watch means conditions are threatening public safety. It does not prohibit all travel, but residents are urged to postpone nonessential trips.
Businesses, schools, government agencies and other organizations should also implement their emergency action plans while the Watch remains in effect.
Drivers who must travel should slow down, allow additional stopping distance and be prepared to turn around when encountering standing water, barricades or closed roads. Motorists should never attempt to drive through floodwater because its depth can be difficult to judge and the roadway beneath it may be damaged or washed away.
Residents can check Hamilton County’s status on the Indiana Department of Homeland Security travel advisory map and monitor alerts from local emergency officials.
As of 6:30 a.m. on Friday, August 14, the river gauge at White River at Logan Street was at 18.85 feet. The river is expected to crest at 20 feet at 2:00 a.m on Saturday, August 15.
Roads reported impacted include the following on this list: