Posted on 01/14/2005 1:52:41 PM PST by Military family member
During the first 6 days of January, moderate to heavy rains fell on soils already saturated from snowmelt.
Rainfall totals for January 1 through 6 ranged from more than 2 inches in north-central Indiana to more than 6 inches in south-central Indiana. Significant flooding occurred on Indiana rivers and streams, particularly in central and southern Indiana. Rivers affected included the Big Blue River, White River, East Fork White River, and Wabash River. More moderate to heavy rains on January 11 and January 13 brought rivers and streams across Indiana up again.
January 13: The Wabash River at Mt Carmel streamflow-gaging station recorded a river level of 33.95 this morning at 7:00 am; this level is nearly one foot above the 1913 crest of 33.00 feet. The lower White River was receding in the Petersburg area this morning; however, the White River on the north side of Indianapolis was rising in response to Tuesday's rainfall. Levels this morning at the White River at Noblesville station exceeded levels recorded during the flooding that occurred on January 6 and 7. Moderate to heavy rain was falling across much of Indiana this morning, causing small streams to begin to rise. This morning USGS crews were dispatched to Fort Wayne, Crawfordsville, and Arcadia in northern Hamilton County to make streamflow measurements at gaging stations. Crews plan to make measurements at Stony Creek near Noblesville and White River at Noblesville this afternoon.
January 12: At 7:00 am, automated equipment at the USGS Wabash River at Mt Carmel streamflow-gaging station recorded a river level of 33.85 feet, the highest level ever recorded at this station. The current river level is 0.85 feet above the 1913 flood peak. USGS crews will be measuring streamflow at the Mt Carmel station today to verify the accuracy of data from the station. Yesterday crews measured streamflow at the White River at Petersburg and Wabash River at Riverton stations.
Some smaller streams in central Indiana peaked last night because of heavy rains at similar levels to last week (January 5 and 6). USGS crews have been focusing on southwest Indiana the last several days, but will move north this evening in case central or northern Indiana receive heavy rains tonight.
January 11: Automated equipment at the USGS streamflow-gaging station Wabash at Mt. Carmel today recorded a historic river level of 33.08 feet--the highest river level measured since the 1913 flood peak of 33.00 feet. The 33.08 level was recorded at 3:00 am on January 11 and the river was still rising. This level is the highest in the history of this station (records date back to 1875).
USGS crews today will make streamflow measurements at the White River at Petersburg and Wabash River at Riverton stations as levels peak, then will head to Mt. Carmel to make a measurement late today or early tomorrow. Yesterday crews made measurements at the streamflow gaging stations East Fork White River at Bedford and East Fork White River at Shoals and confirmed the accuracy of the discharge data from those stations. Accurate discharge data is vital to the National Weather Service for forecasting flood crests.
That's "Tippecanoe"
I've been telling my wife for years and years about how sometimes Indiana looks like it's made up of a very large lake with elevated roads serving as causeways between various high spots.
She finally saw what I meant.
We came in on I-70, went through Naptown to I-65, and went South to Seymour. Then we went West over US 50 to Bedford and Indiana 37 to Bloomington. We returned to Seymour via Indiana 46 to I65, and went South. One day on the trip we drove up to 86/82nd street, and crossed Keystone from the West on 73rd street last Thursday. That was just before the White River overflowed. I was nervous about that place. The water was "right there!".
Let me contrast what happened in 1956 with what happened now. There was a flood in Southern Indiana South of Martinsville. There was no TV or weather radar. Weather reports were spotty. No general reports were made about which roads were open and which weren't. Indiana 37, elevated the whole way, was about the only access route to the Evansville, Indiana area, but when you got to the Ohio, there was no flood.
No doubt many homes were lost, but there are few photos of it.
This year, 2005, the whole thing got on TV and minor events achieved a significance far beyond their importance. Helicopters enabled you to get pictures of folks getting into boats, getting to shore, grabbing stuff, and going back to their flooded homes to (presumably) sit on the roof in the cold ~ truly bizarre stuff I really didn't know happened!
The weather maps were incredible, and at a glance you could see what was happening.
The flood control dams seem to have worked and the Wabash will not become the disaster it used to become.
I can't say the floods in Indiana are tamed, but it sure was different this time. Guess my ability to navigate around the worst places is evidence of that.
BTW, the White River along Indiana 67 between Martinsville and Mooresville was exceptionally beautiful in the sunshine Saturday ~ it also looked to be several miles wide. No doubt Father Brebeauf saw such sights before the Shawnee cooked and ate the man.
Thanks for the info. Haven't heard from my folks yet. They have two places. On one Manitou and a place right on the river due west of Rochester on W450 or something like that.
Probably. The worst will come as the ice breaks up and moves, which will finish the job.
Anderson Freepers PING!
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