Historic flooding possible in Franklin County Thursday

(METAMORA, Ind.) –  Franklin County emergency officials are bracing for the worst as the Whitewater River continues to rise early Thursday morning.

The river is expected to rise to approximately 23 feet around 2 a.m. Thursday, which is 6 feet above the 17-foot flood stage.

This could be a historic flood with impacts potentially similar to the devastating 1937 flood, officials said. 

Metamora, Laurel, Brookville and Cedar Grove are communities that will be impacted by the flooding. View potential impact areas below.

"Areas that do not typically experience flooding may flood tonight," said Franklin County EMA Director Amy Lindsey.

On Wednesday afternoon, evacuations were urged for Metamora, Cedar Grove and other low-lying areas along the river.

Laurel firefighters also went door-to-door to inform residents that the Laurel Community Center was available as a shelter. 

“Crews are prioritizing residents who are medically impaired, elderly, require assistance, or live directly within the projected impact area,” the fire department stated. 

HERE ARE POSSIBLE IMPACT AREAS (CLICK TO EXPAND PHOTOS) AND YOU CAN VIEW ACTIVE EVACUATION SHELTERS BELOW THE PHOTOS

CEDAR GROVE:

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METAMORA:

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LAUREL:

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BROOKVILLE:

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Here’s a list of county shelters for those just leaving now:

𝐌𝐞𝐭𝐚𝐦𝐨𝐫𝐚 𝐂𝐡𝐮𝐫𝐜𝐡 𝐨𝐟 𝐆𝐨𝐝

 20146 US-52, Laurel, IN 47024

 𝐏𝐞𝐭𝐬 𝐚𝐜𝐜𝐞𝐩𝐭𝐞𝐝 — Please bring your own crate, leash and collar. For everyone's safety, pets must remain crated and cannot wander freely.

𝐒𝐜𝐡𝐢𝐥𝐥𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐂𝐞𝐧𝐭𝐞𝐫

 900 Mill St., Brookville, IN 47012

 𝐏𝐞𝐭𝐬 𝐚𝐫𝐞 𝐍𝐎𝐓 𝐩𝐞𝐫𝐦𝐢𝐭𝐭𝐞𝐝 at the Schilling Center. Pets must be housed at the Fairgrounds.

𝐋𝐚𝐮𝐫𝐞𝐥 𝐂𝐨𝐦𝐦𝐮𝐧𝐢𝐭𝐲 𝐂𝐞𝐧𝐭𝐞𝐫

218 N. Clay St., Laurel, IN 47024

 𝐏𝐞𝐭𝐬 𝐚𝐜𝐜𝐞𝐩𝐭𝐞𝐝 — Please bring your own crate, leash and collar. For everyone's safety, pets must remain crated and cannot wander freely.

 𝐏𝐄𝐓𝐒 & 𝐀𝐍𝐈𝐌𝐀𝐋𝐒

Pets and small animals can be housed at the 4-H Fairgrounds. Go to the new 4-H building and someone will meet you.