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By Anna Skinner
Associate News Editor
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Thousands of residents in east-central Indiana were urged to seek higher ground immediately on Wednesday after the National Weather Service (NWS) issued a rare Flash Flood Emergency for Muncie, New Castle and surrounding areas amid catastrophic flooding caused by torrential rainfall.
Much of Indiana remained under a patchwork of weather alerts Wednesday as repeated rounds of heavy rain and thunderstorms swept across the state, overwhelming drainage systems and rapidly raising water levels in creeks, rivers and low-lying areas.
The National Weather Service (NWS) issued multiple flash flood warnings and several rare Flash Flood Emergencies across east-central Indiana, while local officials reported flooded roads, water rescues and evacuations in some communities. Forecasters warned that additional rainfall on already saturated ground could worsen flooding through the afternoon, urging residents to avoid travel and remain alert for rapidly changing conditions.
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Newsweek reached out to the NWS office in Indianapolis by phone for comment.
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Flash Flood Emergencies Currently in Place in Indiana
Multiple flash flood emergencies, the NWS’ most severe flash flooding designation, were in effect across east-central Indiana on Wednesday afternoon as torrential rainfall triggered life-threatening flooding, road closures and evacuations. Emergency managers reported widespread flooding in several communities, prompting EAS activations and urgent warnings for residents to move to higher ground immediately.
The most significant impacts were reported in New Castle, where between 5 and 8 inches of rain had already fallen by late morning, with additional rainfall expected. Officials said numerous roads were flooded and evacuations were underway.
In Muncie and other parts of Delaware County, a flash flood emergency is expected to remain in place through 4:15 p.m. local time. Emergency managers reported that between 3 and 6 inches of rain had already fallen across Muncie, with up to 2 additional inches possible. The NWS said flash flooding was already occurring and described the situation as "particularly dangerous."
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"This is a FLASH FLOOD EMERGENCY for Muncie. This is a PARTICULARLY DANGEROUS SITUATION. SEEK HIGHER GROUND NOW!" the flash flood warning said. Officials said life-threatening flooding could impact roads, underpasses, creeks, streams and urban areas throughout the city.
The warning includes Muncie, Yorktown, Chesterfield, Albany, Eaton, Daleville, Gaston, Selma, Ball State University and the Prairie Creek Reservoir area. Residents were advised not to travel unless evacuating and reminded to "turn around, don't drown" when encountering flooded roadways.
Separate reports from local officials indicated flooding had already forced evacuations in parts of Muncie, with emergency crews responding to stranded motorists and flooded homes. Some neighborhoods on the city's south side were ordered to evacuate as waters continued to rise.
"If significant flooding is approaching your home, consider evacuating now—before rising water makes it impossible to leave safely," Delaware County Emergency Management said in a post on Facebook. "Don’t wait until roads become impassable. Never drive through flooded roadways."
The NWS classified the event's flood damage threat as "catastrophic," with heavy rain expected to continue through the afternoon.
A Flash Flood Emergency was issued for Cambridge City and Connersville in Fayette, Wayne and Franklin counties after emergency management reported widespread flooding, numerous impassable roads and the likelihood of evacuations. A third Flash Flood Emergency covered Brownsville and surrounding areas in Union, Wayne and Fayette counties, where emergency managers reported ongoing flash flooding and warned that another 2 to 4 inches of rain could fall.
Forecasters described all three emergencies as "particularly dangerous situations" capable of producing catastrophic, life-threatening flooding of roads, highways, underpasses, small streams and low-lying communities. Residents across the affected areas were repeatedly urged to seek higher ground and avoid traveling through floodwaters.
Flash Flood Live Tracker Maps Amid Torrential Rain
Animated weather footage from windy.com shows the extent of the heavy rain, with the radar showing ongoing thunderstorms and bands of heavy rain currently hitting a large portion of the stat, as well as parts of Illinois and Ohio.
Several more inches of rain was expected to accumulate on top of what had already fallen over the next three days.
Flash Flood Videos, Photos as Road Collapses
Numerous videos and photos shared to social media on Wednesday revealed the seriousness of the situation.
"About an hour east of Indianapolis, the town of Cambridge City is under water after upwards of 8" of rain fell in the last 12 hours," WeatherNation posted on X. "Water rescues and evacuations are taking place from Muncie to New Castle, IN. Remember: TURN AROUND, DON'T DROWN!"
"Catastrophic flooding in Cambridge City, IN. Homes and vehicles completely underwater, search and rescue ongoing with more than 15 rescues so far. Flash flood emergency in effect," account Chris Weather Chasing posted on X.
In New Castle, the floods were so severe a newly built road collapsed.
"Brand new road in New Castle, Indiana collapsed due to this powerful storm. The mayor says evacuations are underway on Riley Road," FOX59 reporter Hannah Follman posted on X.
"From New Castle, IN American Legion Post 137. Rainfall estimates have climbed close to 10"+ in nearby locations," WRTV Ryan Morse posted.
What Happens Next
The most severe flood warnings were scheduled to remain in effect through the afternoon, with the three flash flood emergencies set to expire between roughly 3:15 p.m. and 4:45 p.m. EDT, though forecasters cautioned that warnings could be extended if additional heavy rain develops or flooding persists. Even after rainfall begins to taper off, floodwaters can continue rising for several hours, particularly along creeks, streams and low-lying roadways.
Weather officials urged residents in affected areas to remain off the roads, avoid driving through flooded intersections and seek higher ground if flooding threatens their homes or neighborhoods. Authorities stressed that conditions can change rapidly during flash flooding events and warned that many flood-related deaths occur when motorists attempt to drive through water-covered roads. Residents were advised to continue monitoring local forecasts and emergency alerts for the latest updates.
Contact Newsweek editors on this story: Jason Lemon and Gray R. Thomas
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