Staff Reports
City and county officials are keeping a close eye on the rainfall and road conditions with minor flooding occurring in Columbus.
A flood watch was in effect for portions of central Indiana, including the Columbus area, through Thursday night, with 2.5 to 4 inches of rain forecast, according to the National Weather Service.
Bartholomew County Emergency Management Director Shannon Hinton said that as of 4:10 p.m. Thursday, three county roads were reported to have high water, although they remained open:
County Road 500S at County Road 300E
County Road 800 N and west of County Road 425E
County Road W. 250S at County Road 400W
County Road N. 500E at E. County Road 275N
Emergency management and police are keeping an eye on roads where rainfall fails to drain, creating the possibility of drivers hydroplaning from water on the roadway, Hinton said.
Hinton said drivers needed to be cautious when driving in these conditions.
The only river nearing flood state was the Flatrock River near Columbus, but it is not expected to cause any major flooding issues beyond what is usually experienced in a heavy rainfall, Hinton said.
German Township firefighters were sent to the northbound lanes of U.S. 31 at 11:20 a.m. Thursday about power lines down in the roadway just north of County Road 650N. Bartholomew County Sheriff’s deputies and firefighters closed northbound and southbound lanes of U.S. 31 at about 11:30 a.m. to allow Duke Energy to repair the lines.
Police were also notified of some trees and branches falling in city streets and county roads on Thursday.
The Columbus Parks and Recreation Department closed Mill Race Park and the People Trail near Northbrook on Thursday due to high water. Both areas are among traditional locations which tend to experience high water after heavy rainfall.
The park and the People Trail will reopen when the water has receded and crews have cleaned up mud and debris left behind, parks officials said.
Parks officials also asked residents to use caution if they use the People Trail system in the next few days. Areas prone to flooding may be inaccessible. Park and recreation employees are continuing to evaluate flooded areas.
