Days of relentless rain have left parts of the Midwest underwater, forcing evacuations and water rescues as forecasters warn that more storms could bring additional flooding through Saturday.
In Cambridge City, Indiana, floodwaters rose near the roofs of some homes and covered vehicles. Dozens of people had to be rescued by boat.
Michelle Wilson, who lives in Cambridge City, was at work Wednesday when her son called to tell her their house was flooding. By the time she returned, Wilson said about 8 feet of water had filled her basement. Her garage also flooded.
Wilson said the water reached electrical outlets in the basement, leaving her unsure when it would be safe to restore power.
Download the Straight Arrow app today to get the stories that matter free from manipulation, bias or agenda.™
Point phone camera here
“I don’t know when we can turn our power back on,” Wilson told The Associated Press.
Nearby New Castle received more than 11 inches of rain in just over a day. CBS News reported that such a rainfall total has about a 1-in-1,000 chance of occurring in any given year.
Rivers rise as damage spreads
The water continued moving through the region Thursday night.
In Anderson, Indiana, the White River crested above 24 feet, its highest level in more than a century, according to CNN. Authorities ordered evacuations as the river rose.
More than 300,000 customers across the Midwest and Ohio Valley remained without power early Friday.
At least three deaths have been reported in connection to the severe weather.
Indiana Gov. Mike Braun declared a statewide disaster emergency Thursday and mobilized the Indiana National Guard as communities dealt with flooding, storm damage and widespread power outages.
Braun said state agencies had been responding as the storms moved across Indiana. He also warned that some areas could receive another 2 to 4 inches of rain.
“Be prepared. Beware,” Braun said during a news conference in Cambridge City.
More flooding possible Friday
The highest Friday flood risk shifts to Iowa and northwestern Illinois as another round of storms moves through the Midwest.
CNN said the most serious flooding threat Friday is centered on Iowa and northwestern Illinois, where another round of rain could produce significant flash flooding.
A second round could cover a broader area Friday night.
Some locations could receive more than 5 inches, while isolated areas could top 8 inches. Saturated ground and already swollen rivers mean even smaller amounts of rain could create new flooding problems.
Flooding is also possible farther east across Illinois, Indiana, Ohio and West Virginia.
Threat shifts Saturday
Conditions should improve somewhat Saturday, though flooding will remain possible.
The heaviest rain is expected so shift farther north and east, affecting areas from the upper Midwest into Ohio and parts of the central Appalachians.
Forecasters say the Midwest should finally begin to get a break from the storms by Sunday.
Round out your reading
- Former Fetterman staffers create social media account to expose former boss.
- Why Gen Z finally wants Boomer hand-me-downs.
- Want a copy of Pete Hegseth’s driver’s license? It’s for sale on the dark web.
- Smart glasses helped a man see the world. The privacy panic took it away.
- Americans are keeping cars longer, so the auto industry is making it easier to pay for repairs.
