By Dave Stafford, Herald Bulletin Staff Writer
ANDERSON — The White River is forecast to top its banks in low-lying areas Sunday afternoon as heavy rain Saturday caused the river at Anderson to rise by about 4 feet in 24 hours.
The National Weather Service on Saturday issued a flood warning for Madison County after a morning reading of the river put its level at 8.8 feet, just below flood stage of 10 feet. The U.S. Geological Service predicts the river will reach 10 feet at about 11 a.m. Sunday before cresting at 10.6 feet early this afternoon.
Such a rise would flood areas such as Edgewater Park and low-lying ground between the river and Grand Avenue. The water is expected to retreat below flood stage by early Monday afternoon.
“Once there’s a warning, we begin monitoring more closely the creeks and the rivers,” said Madison County Emergency Management Agency spokesman Todd Harmeson. “The ground is so saturated right now that any time we get heavy rain we’re going to expect this.”
The White River level at Anderson rose from 5.7 feet at 7 p.m. Friday to an estimated 9.9 feet Saturday night.
There was no official measurement of rainfall in Anderson on Saturday evening, but National Weather Service radar estimates show between 1 and 1.5 inches fell in Madison County as of late Saturday, with more rain predicted overnight and Sunday. Rain chances diminish Sunday night.
Hamilton and Marion counties were among many Indiana counties that also were under flood warnings or advisories late Saturday.
Contact Dave Stafford: 648-4250, dave.stafford@heraldbulletin.com.
