Flooding closes streets, roads in Hamilton County, other areas
UPDATE
(WISH) — One of the counties hit hardest by Wednesday’s storms was Hamilton County.
The county got 2 inches of rain in 90 minutes.
It was a busy evening for first responders as they dealt with numerous water rescues … and they don’t expect things to get better with more rain in the forecast.
STORM TRACK 8: Radar | Weather alerts by county
“The water came in really fast. Once they opened the door the water was just coming in,” said Boci Zhu.
A Carmel resident, Zhu described a terrifying situation off Lark Drive. A car was submerged in water after two young men say they went fishing in a nearby pond. They suddenly realized the waters were rising, and, by the time they got back to the car, it was filled with water.
“Yeah, it’s my mom’s car. I was just letting (my two friends) drive the car for a week since he’s only been here for a week. I didn’t know it was going to cause this much of an issue. So it’s kind of a bad day. I had to tell my mom that the car is buried,” Zhu said.
Carmel Fire Department Public Information Officer Tim Griffin said Wednesday was busy as crews have responded to half a dozen water rescues during flash flooding.
“Right now, we just have so much water it doesn’t have anywhere to go. Things are already really high. We want to make sure if your kids are outside playing, outside in your backyard in a creek or something, make sure you warn them if it’s raining, and we need to bring them in because those waters can rise really fast and we would hate for something for happen,” Griffin said.
Meanwhile, in Noblesville, crews there were busy shutting down roads because of high waters. One of the first roads impacted was near 146th Street and Allisonville Road.
“It’s very dangerous and, the speed of this road, people go through there so fast anymore they would definitely hydroplane and cause an accident,” said Jayson Williams, assistant commissioner with Noblesville Street Department.
While dozens of roads in Hamilton County were to remain closed overnight, first responders urged people to be careful so they don’t end up in dangerous situations.
“People have to be careful. If you see high water, drive around. Turn around. Wait it out. Don’t try to go through it,” Griffin said.
The Hamilton County Emergency Management Agency was giving our sand bags Wednesday night and again Thursday at its Noblesville sand barn, 1717 Pleasant St.
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INDIANAPOLIS (WISH) – Multiple roads are closed in Hamilton and Bartholomew counties after heavy rainfall Wednesday afternoon.
The rainfall follows days of heavy rain in central Indiana.
More than 2 inches fell northwest of Carmel in 95 minutes, according to a report to the National Weather Service. Another report to the weather service from Greentown said 3 inches fell Wednesday by 7:40 p.m.
The Bartholomew County Sheriff also announced road closings due to high water Wednesday night. Other road closings were announced in Kokomo, Rushville and Jay County (More info below).
STORM TRACK 8: Radar | Weather alerts by county
According to the Hamilton County Emergency Management Agency, here are areas to avoid:
Carmel
- 106th Street and Keystone Parkway
- 500 block of Lark Drive
- Thornberry Drive at Boulder Court
- Presley Drive at Carmel Drive
- Howe Drive at Winter Court
- Wembly Road at Wembly Court
- Hunters Drive at Carmel Drive
- 146th Street and Cherry Tree Road
- 116th Street and Eden Glenn Drive
Fishers
- Allisonville Road at 126th Street
Noblesville
- Allisonville Road (a.k.a. South 10th Street) between 146th and Carbon streets
- Amber Way and Carmine Drive
- Cumberland Road and Greenfield Avenue
- Field Drive at State Road 19
- 10th and Gerald streets
Road closings in Bartholomew County, from Sheriff Matt Myers:
- 800 South between State Road 11 and South U.S. 31
- 400 North between U.S. 31 and River Road, including Tinkey Bridge
- Tellman Camp Road between Indianapolis Road and 200 West
- South Jonesville Road at County Road E 550 S
- South Gladstone Avenue between Marr Road and County Road E 300 S
- Southern Crossing east of Jonesville Road
- 900 N at 300 E
In Jay County, the sheriff’s office asked motorists to avoid County Road 200 N from U.S. 27 to County Road 750 W due to several areas with high water. Also, the sheriff’s office said U.S. 27 and County Road 400 N is flooded.
The National Weather Service at Indianapolis received reports of street flooding in Kokomo and Rushville, but no specific streets were mentioned. Rush County Emergency Management Agency did not immediately reply to a social media request for specific street closings.