An unseasonable moist atmosphere and slow moving cold front set the stage for the training of rain and thunderstorms across much of northern Indiana. In addition, a dense snowpack rapidly melted as a result of the warm temperatures and rainfall, resulting in rapid rises on river and streams as well as widespread problems with flooding of low areas and ditches. Rainfall amounts ranging from a couple inches to locally over 7 inches was reported, with the highest amounts in and around White county.

Flood in FULTON, INDIANA
From 08-JAN-08 03:00:00 to 09-JAN-08 07:30:00 (EST-5)
Location: ROCHESTER
Flood cause: Heavy Rain / Snow Melt
Property damage: 125.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Newspaper

Numerous roads across Fulton county were at least partially, if not fully impassable with flood waters from low areas, creeks, streams and rivers. County officials closed all roads to general travel from the evening of January 8th to the morning hours of the 9th. Reports of a Chevy Tahoe in deep water with children trapped was received by dispatch centers in Fulton and Kosciusko counties around 750 am Tuesday morning. The vehicle was located on County Road 600 North between 825 and 900 East near the Fulton/Kosciusko county line. The driver of the vehicle, a 29 year old female, reported coming over the top of a hill and unknowningly drove into flowing water over 600 North. By the time she realized what was going on the vehicle stalled and was subsequently carried by nearly seven feet of water into an adjacent field. The driver was able to rescue three of the five children, ages four, one and three months. However, flood waters overtook the vehicle and two children, a two year old girl and five year old boy drowned in the SUV. Due to the fast current, a boat and front end loader were used in the rescue. A Mentone firefighter suffered minor injuries during the rescue.

Flood in WHITE, INDIANA
From 08-JAN-08 03:56:00 to 10-JAN-08 19:00:00 (EST-5)
Location: WOLCOTT
Flood cause: Heavy Rain / Snow Melt
Property damage: 250.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Newspaper

Widespread flooding of many creeks, streams, low areas and small towns occurred as a result of anywhere from 5 to locally as much as 7 inches of rain across much of northern White county. Several inches of snow also rapidly melted, contributing to flooding. Portions of several towns, including Monon, Wolcott, Buffalo and Reynolds were under water, in some places over a foot deep. While the significant flooding subsided during the day of January 9th, numerous areas of standing water persisted well into the 10th. Exact damage figures are not available at this time, but are estimated around $250,000.

Flash Flood in ST. JOSEPH, INDIANA
From 08-JAN-08 02:00:00 to 08-JAN-08 04:00:00 (EST-5)
Location: WYATT
Flood cause: Heavy Rain / Snow Melt
Property damage: 10.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Newspaper

Nearly three inches of rain, combined with snow melt, allowed for flooding problems for much of St Joseph county. US 331 just south of Wyatt, was closed for a short period of time due to flood waters covering and flowing over the roadway.

Flood in ELKHART, INDIANA
From 09-JAN-08 10:14:00 to 11-JAN-08 07:00:00 (EST-5)
Location: FORAKER
Flood cause: Heavy Rain / Snow Melt
Property damage: 250.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Emergency Manager

Around one dozen roads were closed across the county, as well in Elkhart and Goshen as a result of either a foot or more of standing water on roadsway, or rising river levels. No mandatory evacuations were put in place. Several city and county parks were partially under water with damage to sidewalks and some retaining walls. No exact damage figures are available, but are estimated at $250,000.

Flood in WHITLEY, INDIANA
From 08-JAN-08 05:58:00 to 11-JAN-08 07:00:00 (EST-5)
Location: SOUTH WHITLEY
Flood cause: Heavy Rain / Snow Melt
Property damage: 150.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Emergency Manager

Numerous roads were closed or posted with high water signs across the county as a result of 1 to 3 inches of rain, as well as snow melt. Several residences and businesses were sandbagged as a precaution but no significant damage was reported. Damage is estimated at around $150,000.

Flood in KOSCIUSKO, INDIANA
From 08-JAN-08 07:52:00 to 11-JAN-08 07:00:00 (EST-5)
Location: MENTONE
Flood cause: Heavy Rain / Snow Melt
Property damage: 200.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Emergency Manager

Numerous roads were either closed or had high water signs up for several days due to rainfall of 2 to 4 inches across the county. Several creeks and the Tippecanoe river also went over their banks, causing part of the flooding problems in addtion to creeks, ditches and low areas filling beyond capacity. No exact damage figures are available but are estimated at $200,000.

Flood in CASS, INDIANA
From 08-JAN-08 04:00:00 to 11-JAN-08 07:00:00 (EST-5)
Location: DUNKIRK
Flood cause: Heavy Rain / Snow Melt
Property damage: 150.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Newspaper

Numerous roads were flooded across mainly the northwestern part of the county, generally north of US 24 and west of State Route 25. A state of emergency was declared by county officials in these areas for about a 12 hour period, restricting travel to all but essential needs. Water was reported in many basements and covering driveways. Emergency officials did have to assist with several evacuations across the area. No exact damage figures are available, but is estimated at around $150,000.

Flood in DE KALB, INDIANA
From 08-JAN-08 11:25:00 to 11-JAN-08 07:00:00 (EST-5)
Location: AUBURN
Flood cause: Heavy Rain / Snow Melt
Property damage: 150.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Newspaper

At least 6 roads were temporarily closed, with many others posted with  high water signs, as ditches overflowed and low areas filled. A senior care center was threatened by flood waters coming out of a overflown retention pond. Sandbags were placed to help, but luckily no evacuations were needed. No exact damage figure were available, but are estimated at around $150,000.

Flood in WABASH, INDIANA
From 08-JAN-08 06:05:00 to 11-JAN-08 07:00:00 (EST-5)
Location: NORTH MANCHESTER
Flood cause: Heavy Rain / Snow Melt
Property damage: 75.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Emergency Manager

County officials reported high water on some roadways both in the county and also in a few cities, including North Manchester and Roann. 2.7 inches of rain was observed near North Manchester. The Eastside Mobile Home Park next to the Eel river in North Manchester was evacuated as flood waters moved into the park and under trailers. Luckily, no water got into the trailers and residents were able to return home by Jan 11th. A rescue from a residence was needed in Roann to get 2 adults and a 5 month old child. No exact damage figures are available, but are estimated at $75,000, mainly for road repairs and some basement flooding.

Flash Flood in WHITE, INDIANA
From 08-JAN-08 09:00:00 to 09-JAN-08 11:39:00 (EST-5)
Location: NORWAY
Flood cause: Heavy Rain / Snow Melt
Property damage: 2.00M
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Emergency Manager

Snow melt,a partially frozen ground and rainfall ranging from four to seven inches across much of White county, resulted in high water levels behind Norway Dam, forcing the release of record flows through the dam, which at its peak exceeded 26,000 cubic feet per second (cfs) between 8 and 10 am EST on January 8th. A flood emergency was declared around 8 am EST by dam and White County officials and numerous residents south of the dam, including portions of the city of Monticello, were placed under mandatory evactuation orders. Over 100 families were assisted or rescued as flood waters rapidly rose. The Norway Campground, located near the dam, had approximately 70 seasonal occupied trailers that were evacuated. Many of the trailers were destroyed either by the water or being thrown against trees. Numerous roads and a few bridges over the Tippecanoe River either had caution advised or even closed briefly during the peak flow times. Discharge rates were able to be trimmed back below 22,000 cfs during the late morning hours of January 9th, which allowed the threat for the need of additonal evacuations and closures to be reduced. Despite the lower flows, many residents remained evacuated into January 12th. No exact damage figures were available, but are estimated at upwards of 2 million dollars.

Flash Flood in LA PORTE, INDIANA
From 08-JAN-08 01:00:00 to 08-JAN-08 04:00:00 (CST-6)
Location: DILLON
Flood cause: Heavy Rain / Snow Melt
Property damage: 150.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Newspaper

Heavy rain and snow melt caused the Kankakee River to go over its banks and flood mainly agricultural areas. However...10 of 15 feet of a levee that was in place along the river southeast of Kingsbury, gave way. A few residences were near the increased flooding and were sandbaged as a precaution but did not experience any problems. Numerous roads were posted with high water signs or closed for a period of time as runoff pooled in low areas and ditches, including County Road 500 South near Walkerton where a bridge was closed as a precaution due to the high water. Damage is estimated at $150,000.

Flood in MARSHALL, INDIANA
From 08-JAN-08 03:00:00 to 11-JAN-08 07:00:00 (EST-5)
Location: TIPPECANOE
Flood cause: Heavy Rain / Snow Melt
Property damage: 150.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Emergency Manager

Several county and some city roads experienced high water on them for a few days as low areas, ditches and creeks exceeded capacity from one to three inches of rain. Some residences were affected in and around Plymouth as a result of flood waters from the rising Yellow River. The town of Tippecanoe also had some flooding issues with the Tippecanoe River going over its banks. Schools were closed on parts of the area during the even. No exact damage were available, but is estimated at $150,000 for road repairs and structure damage.