Heavy Rains and Flooding of February 2018

Overview

Unseasonably high amounts of moisture flowed into central Indiana during the latter part of February.This resulted in many areas seeing 3-6 inches of rain during a week, bringing flooding to the area.

Flooding
Rainfall
Environment

Flooding

The heavy rains of the period of February 19-24 brought flooding to most areas rivers, creeks, and streams. Major flooding was observed along the Tippecanoe River near Oakdale Dam. Near major flooding was observed along portions of the Wabash River in west central Indiana, where flooding was the highest for some areas since 2013.

Plot of Forecast Flood Levels for late February:

Forecast Flood Levels

Hydrographs


Oakdale Dam	Wabash River at Lafayette	Wabash River at Riverton	Wabash River at Terre Haute

Radar/Photos

Feb.24 Evening Radar Loop

Rain Reports

Heavy rainfall fell early in the week (Feb 19/20) across northern sections of central Indiana. The second round of heavy rain on the 24th fell across southern sections of the area. In all, 7 day totals ending the morning of February 25 were from 3 to 6 inches across much of central Indiana. The 1.70" of rain that fell on February 24 at Indianapolis tied the record rainfall amount for the day,

7 Day Rainfall ending Feb 25 2018

Environment

Moisture flowed into central Indiana from the southwest and south. At times during the period of February 19-24, the precipitable water values (a measure of moisture in the atmosphere) reached record levels for February.


Figure 1: Precipitable Water at 1 AM Feb 20	Figure 2: 850mb Moisture Transport 1 AM Feb 20


Figure 3:Water Vapor Satellite Image from Feb 22 showing a continued flow of moisture into the area.	Figure 4: Precipitable Water at 9PM Feb 24	Figure 5: 850mb Moisture Transport at 9PM Feb 24

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