Indiana, Kentucky, and Illinois Residents Urged to Prepare Ahead of Historic Flooding – ‘Subdivisions Are Not Designed for This’

Is anyone else out there playing weather bingo? Let's see, we've had thunderstorms, tornadoes, baseball-sized hail, and an ice storm this year. Guess what is predicted later this week... Yep, HISTORIC FLOODING.

April 2-5 Forecast

In fact, the National Weather Service in Paducah has issued a Hazardous Weather Outlook that includes tornadoes, hail, and flooding. We are currently in an Moderate to High level for severe storms - with strong tornadoes being a real threat.

A prolonged period of showers and thunderstorms with heavy rainfall is forecast from Wednesday through Sunday. Rainfall amounts in excess of 8 inches are expected throughout the Quad State, and much of the region could see 10 to 12 inches. Such heavy rainfall will result in very dangerous flash flooding and river flooding. Please consult the Flood Watch for details.

A significant severe weather event is still expected on Wednesday afternoon and evening. Very large hail, damaging winds, and strong tornadoes all remain possible.

Strong south winds will gust well over 40 mph outside of thunderstorms Wednesday.

Additional severe storms cannot be ruled out Thursday through Friday, but the details are unclear at this time.

They went on to post more detail to Facebook:
We remain very concerned about the potential for an outbreak of severe thunderstorms from late Wednesday afternoon (timing graphic included for the whole area in the pictures) through late Wednesday evening. Conditions appear favorable for stronger tornadoes, damaging wind and large hail. We are still closing in on the timeframe where we can start to better resolve the small-scale details that will make or break exactly how it pans but it looks pretty tough and has for several days in our guidance.

The bigger problem as it looks from here is that the front sparking those storms is expected to stall overtop of us while heat and moisture continues to pump in from the Gulf sparking new storms. This process continues through at least Saturday. We currently have parts of our area where the explicit forecast calls for 8 to 12 inches of rain which would move away from the "very big deal" into more "historic" territory. We may catch a break with gaps in the activity that will spread it out somewhat or shift the front, but we may not.

Read More: IN, KY, TN, IL TORNADO RISK LEVEL UPGRADED FOR APRIL 2 STORM

It looks like southern Indiana and western Kentucky will see the brunt of these storms starting after 3 PM on Wednesday.

Flooding is a Major Concern

Emergency Management offices are preparing and the Warrick County Storm Water Department warned on Facebook that local subdivisions were not designed to withstand 12" of water.

Citizens of Warrick County, especially the Newburgh area. Please prepare for this rain storm. With the amount they are calling for, none of us have seen this much rain in 20+ years and most subdivisions are NOT designed to get rains like these. Please be proactive and make sure drainage ways (ditch/easements) are clear from debris or blockages (landscaping, debris, fences, planting, etc.) in the easements.

Per our ordinance 2024-06 there should not be any debris placed in any drainage ways to cause waterway issues. Homeowners are responsible for this cleaning and maintaining of easements and ditches on the property. Be neighborly and help out one another if/when you can so everyone can weather the storm.

If you need sandbags, check with your local emergency management office. The folks over in Daviess County are already busy bagging.

How to Prepare for a Flood

According to ready.gov, there are a few things you can do to prepare.

1. Make a manageable go-bag. You need something that you can easily carry if there is a flood. Include important documents, food, water, medications, phone charger, pet items, and a change of clothes. Move important items to the highest level of your home or off-site.

2. Make a family plan. Decide where to go in the event your family is separated and communications are down.

3. Move to higher ground. If you are at home, go to the highest level you can. Do not try to drive though flood waters.

4. Listen to EAS, NOAA Weather Radio or local alerting systems for current emergency information and instructions regarding flooding.

5. Keep storm drains clear of debris. Sandbag if necessary. Here's where to find them in the tri-state. 

Read More: How to Check for Contaminants in Your Tap Water: Simple Guide