Midwest Flooding Crisis Deepens as More Rain Targets Already Waterlogged States
Drenching storms slammed the flood-ravaged Midwest for a sixth straight day Friday, bringing more rain to areas where severe flooding has already forced hundreds from their homes and left more than 300,000 without power. The renewed threat comes as Indiana and Ohio struggle to recover from catastrophic flooding that officials describe as unprecedented in their communities.
After parts of Indiana saw 1-in-1,000 year rainfall, officials conducted water rescues and ordered evacuations as floodwaters swelled rivers, rushed into homes and left roads impassable. Gov. Mike Braun declared a statewide disaster emergency Thursday and mobilized the Indiana National Guard.
Millions across the Midwest remain under flood watches early Friday for additional bouts of rain sweeping through the region. Saturated ground and swollen rivers mean even modest rainfall could cause new problems.
What is the current flood situation in Indiana?
Photos and videos out of Indiana show scenes of destruction as floodwaters poured into homes and businesses, leaving them in shambles. Timothy Hicks, a father of six, told the Associated Press it was a panic to get out of here when floodwaters began pouring into their Cambridge City, Indiana, house on Wednesday.
I just started grabbing them, running them out to the car without even getting shoes, clothes or anything like that. It just crushes me. My kids' house is gone.
Security camera photos show the devastation caused by flooding in Metamora, Indiana, where numerous businesses were damaged after severe weather hit Wednesday. Bill Smith, owner of Village Smith and Village Smith Coffee Bar, told CNN that many residents are facing significant losses.
Smith added that they will get through this because Metamora is a good and strong community.
Which communities declared disaster emergencies?
Yorktown, in Indiana's Delaware County, declared a local disaster emergency Thursday afternoon, with first responders working around the clock to assist with evacuations. Drone footage shared by the city showed houses, vehicles and roads submerged in muddy floodwaters.
In the town of Muncie, water is deep enough in the streets that rescuers are using motorized boats and essential infrastructure is failing. Fire Chief Dan Burford told CNN Thursday, I've been with the department for 29 years, and I've never seen flooding like this.
Sheriff's deputies in Delaware County said they were still searching for missing 18-year-old Matthew Morey after responding to a report that four teens had jumped from a bridge into the Mississinewa River at around 8:30 p.m. Wednesday. Authorities had to temporarily pause the search due to the conditions.
In nearby Anderson in Madison County, the mayor declared a local disaster emergency and issued evacuation orders Thursday along the swelling White River and other waterways. Sheriff John Beeman told CNN Thursday night that fire departments have been busy all day with evacuations and water rescues, and more than 300 animals are being evacuated from a flooded animal shelter.
What is the flood risk for Iowa on Friday?
Iowa and northwestern Illinois face the greatest risk of flooding rain Friday, with more storms targeting communities already soaked this week. A Level 3 of 4 risk is in place, and significant flash flooding is possible.
Storms will sweep from west to east Friday morning, with another, potentially more widespread round expected Friday night. Some already waterlogged communities could be hit repeatedly, causing rainfall to accumulate quickly.
Exactly where the heaviest rain lands remains uncertain, but forecast models suggest more than 5 inches could fall in the hardest-hit areas, with isolated totals topping 8 inches. With the ground already saturated, it won't take as much rain to cause flooding as it did earlier in the week.
A broader Level 2 of 4 risk of flooding rain is in place through Illinois, Indiana, Ohio and West Virginia. Rainfall totals may be lower there, but intense downpours could quickly renew flooding in waterlogged communities.
When will the flood threat ease?
The flood threat should ease somewhat Saturday but won't disappear. The main corridor for heavy rain will shift north and east, prompting a Level 2 of 4 risk of flooding from northern Illinois and Wisconsin through northern Indiana and Ohio and into parts of the central Appalachians. Another risk level upgrade is possible depending on which areas are hardest hit Friday.
Ohio Gov. Mike DeWine on Thursday night warned residents in western Ohio to stay alert for a dangerous situation that could develop overnight after lingering storms this week forced about 375 people to evacuate. The catastrophic flooding comes after a deadly derecho, a rare, unusually long-lasting windstorm, tore through the Midwest earlier this week. The region will finally get a reprieve from the storms by Sunday.