USA – Flood Rescues and Evacuations in Indiana and Illinois

by in News, USA

Torrential rain, strong winds, lightning strikes and flash floods hit parts of Indiana and Illinois on Tuesday, 03 April, 2018, closing roads and schools and promoting flood rescues.

Local media reported that several schools and dozens of roads were closed in Johnson and Owen counties, Indiana, after rain fell on ground already saturated by recent snowfall. Emergency services rescued around 10 people from vehicles trapped in flood water.

Around 6 people were evacuated from a motel after flooding in Martinsville, Morgan County, Indiana.

Indianapolis saw some surface flooding after the city recorded 3.90 inches (99.06 mm) of rain for the day, the highest recorded for an April day. NWS Indianapolis said via Social Media: “This is a new record for April 3rd (previously 1.92″ in 1892) and 1 day rain total within the month of April (previously 3.06 on 4/19/2011).”

Lightning strikes also caused some damage in areas affected by the storm. Meanwhile in southwestern Indiana, Knox County was hit by golf-ball sized hail.

Across the state border in Illinois, local media reported that around a dozen people were evacuated from their homes after flooding along Kickapoo Creek in Mattoon. Roads were also closed in the area.

NWS Lincoln said that it received a report of 6.5 inches (165.1 mm) of rain in Charleston, including 3 inches (76.2 mm) in less than 2 hours. Mattoon / Charleston, Coles County Memorial Airport recorded 4.45 inches (113.03 mm) of rain in 24 hours on 03 April.

Elsewhere in Illinois, a tornado struck southwest Effingham County on 03 April, with peak winds to 110 mph, according to NWS Lincoln.

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