Heavy Rains Flood Central, Southern Indiana, Schools Close

INDIANAPOLIS (AP) — Heavy rains have inundated central and southern Indiana, flooding roads, closing schools and heightening the fear of flooding along major rivers in the coming days.

The National Weather Service reported nearly 5½ inches of rain fell Thursday near Bloomington and heavy rains left downtown streets temporarily impassable in nearby Ellettsville. Part of Indiana 46 was under water for a while.

Several schools in the Bloomington area dismissed early because of flooding.

The weather service warned "significant" flooding is possible on the Wabash River at Lafayette and Gibson County and on the White River from Spencer downstream. At Spencer, the White River is expected to crest at nearly 7 feet above flood stage.

Possible Tornado Damage In SW Indiana

The storms also prompted several tornado warnings across southern Indiana. The National Weather Service says survey crews will be assessing storm damage in two southwestern Indiana counties to determine if tornadoes touched down there during Thursday's storms.

The weather service's Paducah, Kentucky, office says crews will examine storm damage Friday in Gibson and Pike Counties.

The Evansville Courier & Press reports that a severe thunderstorm felled trees and damaged homes Thursday morning in Oakland City in Gibson County.

Thursday's storms dumped heavy rainfall across central and southern Indiana, flooding roads and heightening the fear of flooding along major rivers.

Heavy fog also shrouded parts of Indiana on Thursday.

WANE-TV reports that police in northeastern Indiana's Adams County say foggy conditions played a role in a crash between a van and a semi-truck that killed one person and injured three others.