Indiana Orders Whitewater Evacuations as Governor Declares Disaster After 21.78-Foot Record Crest
Updated
Updated · WLWT Cincinnati · Aug 14
Indiana Orders Whitewater Evacuations as Governor Declares Disaster After 21.78-Foot Record Crest
3 articles · Updated · WLWT Cincinnati · Aug 14
Summary
Mandatory evacuations were ordered in Dearborn County and parts of Harrison after the West Fork Whitewater River near Alpine crested at a record 21.78 feet.
Dearborn County officials called the flooding unprecedented, expanded evacuation orders to multiple roads along the Whitewater River, and opened a shelter in Lawrenceburg.
Governor Mike Braun declared a statewide disaster emergency to speed resources after severe storms, flooding, tornadoes and a derecho, and authorized National Guard support in Gary, Munster and Hobart.
Self-evacuations had already begun in Franklin County on Wednesday night, and forecasters warned more flooding could hit southeast Indiana through Thursday into Friday morning.
The Whitewater emergency adds to broader flood damage across Indiana this week after repeated storms triggered record river levels, power outages and rescues in several communities.