Moderate flooding of the Wabash and White Rivers occurred after a series of heavy rainfall events. Very heavy rain of 5 to 8 inches fell on the 18th and 19th. The ensuing flood along the White and Wabash Rivers was very similar to March 2006. What differed for this March 2008 flood was the duration of the extensive flooding. As the crest reached the Hazleton and Mount Carmel areas on the 27th, rain of 1 to nearly 6 inches fell from the evening of the 26th to the night of the 31st. This additional rain caused a slight increase in the crests and prolonged the flooding.

Flood in GIBSON, INDIANA
From 05-MAR-08 04:00:00 to 31-MAR-08 23:59:00 (CST-6)
Location: HAZLETON
Flood cause: Heavy Rain
Property damage: 10.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Other Federal Agency

Moderate flooding of the White River occurred. At the Hazleton gage, the river crested at 27.70 feet on March 27. Flood stage there is 16 feet, and moderate flooding begins at 24 feet. Water was more than two feet deep in the west end of Hazleton, with the deepest flood water at the corner of West 2nd Street and Brown Street. People in residential cabins on the riverward side of the levee relocated. Many local roads were completely impassable. Oil fields were inaccessible. Water pumps were installed on the west end of Hazleton. Since cropland was dormant, this flood caused little if any agricultural damage. Flood gates were installed at Hazleton.

Flood in PIKE, INDIANA
From 04-MAR-08 06:00:00 to 31-MAR-08 23:59:00 (EST-5)
Location: PETERSBURG
Flood cause: Heavy Rain
Property damage: 20.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Other Federal Agency

Moderate flooding of the White River occurred. At the Petersburg gage, the river crested at 25.89 feet on March 25. Flood stage there is 16 feet, and moderate flooding begins at 23 feet. This flood crest was just under the major flood stage of 26 feet. This was the sixth highest flood crest in about 100 years of record. It was the worst flood since the January, 2005 flood. Levees were monitored closely. Numerous roads were flooded. Flood waters approached State Road 56 near Bowman. Extensive flooding occurred in Dodge City. Evacuations began from river cabins in Dodge City. Livestock were moved. Extensive flooding affected agricultural and rural residential areas. Oil fields were inaccessible. State Road 257 south of Washington was completely flooded.

Flood in POSEY, INDIANA
From 06-MAR-08 19:00:00 to 31-MAR-08 23:59:00 (CST-6)
Location: NEW HARMONY
Flood cause: Heavy Rain
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Other Federal Agency

Moderate flooding of the Wabash River occurred. At the New Harmony gage, the river crested at 20.87 feet on March 28. Flood stage there is 15 feet, and moderate flooding begins at 20 feet. Parts of northern New Harmony began to flood, and sandbagging became necessary in town. Surrounding bottomland was flooded. Harmonie State Park was closed.

Flood in GIBSON, INDIANA
From 05-MAR-08 19:00:00 to 31-MAR-08 23:59:00 (CST-6)
Location: EAST MT CARMEL
Flood cause: Heavy Rain
Property damage: 20.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Other Federal Agency

Moderate flooding of the Wabash River occurred. At the Mt. Carmel, IL gage, the river crested at 29.72 feet on March 27. Flood stage there is 19 feet, and moderate flooding begins at 25 feet. This was the ninth highest crest on record at Mount Carmel. Extensive flooding occurred in western Gibson County, with some evacuations needed. Numerous local river roads were flooded. The river was three miles wide at I-64. Cattle and farm equipment were relocated. Access to local campsites was blocked, but there was minimal impact to commercial activities because of gate closure. Flood waters affected residents of East Mt. Carmel, Indiana. Fifth Street that parallels the river was closed. Twin restaurant along the river also closed.