CINCINNATI (WXIX) – Historic flooding continues to impact parts of Southeast Indiana after an incredible amount of rain fell in a matter of hours Wednesday. The NWS issued Flash Flood Emergencies, the highest level of flash flood warning, for parts of Fayette, Union and Franklin counties as water quickly overwhelmed roads, creeks and communities. Some areas received an estimated 7 to 9 inches of rain, roughly three months’ worth of rainfall packed into about 12 hours.
The water is still working its way downstream Thursday morning and several rivers remain well out of their banks. Preliminary river data indicates the West Fork Whitewater River near Alpine crested around 5:45 a.m. Thursday at 21.78 feet. For perspective, the previous all-time record was just 16.80 feet, set in April 2025. If that crest holds, the river surpassed its previous record by nearly 5 feet. Flooding of this magnitude is historic, and the impacts will continue long after the rain ends.
Unfortunately, the weather pattern is not completely shutting off yet. Another round of storms is possible this afternoon and evening, with additional storms mainly early Friday and again Saturday afternoon. The Storm Prediction Center has parts of the region in a Marginal Risk, level 1 of 5, with damaging wind the main severe weather concern. An isolated tornado cannot be ruled out. Our severe weather window opens at 3pm and stays open through midnight…