Heavy rainfall in March set the stage for major flooding when near-record rains fell in April and May. At Evansville, April was the second wettest April on record with 11.77 inches. For the season, Evansville had the second wettest meteorological spring (March through May) with 25.01 inches. The result of all this rain was rapid and dramatic rises on rivers. Record flood crests occurred on some rivers, inundating numerous homes and businesses. There were major impacts to transportation both on land and water. There were numerous closed roads across the region, leading to often lengthy detours. Because of the high water, there were numerous day and nighttime restrictions to barge traffic. Hundreds of thousands of acres of farmland were flooded. Crops were late getting planted.

Flood in POSEY, INDIANA
From 01-MAY-11 00:00:00 to 26-MAY-11 23:00:00 (CST-6)
Location: NEW HARMONY
Flood cause: Heavy Rain
Property damage: 0.20M
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: River/Stream Gage

Major flooding continued on the Wabash River from April. At the New Harmony river gage, the river crested at 23.67 feet on May 4. This level was the fourth highest crest on record, exceeding the 2005 flood by about six inches. This was the highest level since 1943. The National Guard assisted with sandbagging efforts along the Wabash River in the New Harmony area. Miles of farmland were flooded near the confluence of the Wabash and Ohio Rivers, both of which were well above flood stage. A number of lowland residents were evacuated. Many roads were closed. Some communities were accessible by boat only.

Flood in GIBSON, INDIANA
From 01-MAY-11 00:00:00 to 26-MAY-11 22:00:00 (CST-6)
Location: CRAWLEYVILLE
Flood cause: Heavy Rain
Property damage: 0.20M
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: River/Stream Gage

Record flooding occurred on the Wabash River. At the Mount Carmel, Illinois river gage, the river crested at 34.02 feet on May 3. The old record that was set in the January, 2005 flood was broken by less than an inch. Extensive flooding of farmland occurred near the Wabash River, especially near the confluence with the flooded White River. A number of lowland residents were evacuated. Many roadways were closed.

Flood in GIBSON, INDIANA
From 01-MAY-11 00:00:00 to 30-MAY-11 04:00:00 (CST-6)
Location: EAST MT CARMEL
Flood cause: Heavy Rain
Property damage: 0.10M
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: River/Stream Gage

Record flooding occurred on the Patoka River. At the river gage near Patoka, the river crested at 24.89 feet on May 4. This crest broke the old record set in 1996 by about six inches. State and county roads were closed.

Flood in VANDERBURGH, INDIANA
From 01-MAY-11 00:00:00 to 11-MAY-11 17:00:00 (CST-6)
Location: SMYTHE
Flood cause: Heavy Rain
Property damage: 1.00M
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: River/Stream Gage

Minor flooding continued on the Ohio River from April. At the Evansville river gage, the river crested at 46.78 feet on May 5. This was the 8th highest crest on record, and less than a foot below the 1997 flood. Ohio River floodwaters backed up into Pigeon Creek in the Evansville area. Widespread flooding of fields and some farm buildings occurred along Pigeon Creek, especially near Interstate 164. About 40 to 50 homes near Pigeon Creek were sandbagged or evacuated. At least 35 to 40 roads were underwater and closed. A truss bridge spanning Pigeon Creek at the mouth of the Ohio River was partially underwater. Another bridge over Pigeon Creek on the northeast side of Evansville was under about eight inches of water.

Flood in PIKE, INDIANA
From 01-MAY-11 00:00:00 to 16-MAY-11 22:00:00 (EST-5)
Location: PETERSBURG
Flood cause: Heavy Rain
Property damage: 0.30M
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: River/Stream Gage

Major flooding continued on the White River from April. At the Petersburg river gage, the river crested at 26.88 feet on May 3. This was the fifth highest crest on record, and less than a foot below the January, 2005 flood. The Dodge City area flooded extensively. Levees were monitored, but no major problems were reported. Numerous roads flooded. Flood waters approached State Road 56 near Bowman. Livestock were moved. Several bottomland roads were flooded, some by several feet of water. Flooded roads east of State Route 57 included County Roads 750N, 600N, and 1000E. Pike County roads flooded west of State Route 57 included County Roads 250W, 400W, 675N, 700N, 1000W, 900W, 700W, and 775W.

Flood in POSEY, INDIANA
From 01-MAY-11 00:00:00 to 21-MAY-11 15:00:00 (CST-6)
Location: MT VERNON
Flood cause: Heavy Rain
Property damage: 0.30M
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: River/Stream Gage

Moderate flooding continued on the Ohio River from April. At the Mount Vernon river gage, the river crested at 51.80 feet on May 5. This was the 3rd highest crest on record, and almost two feet above the 1997 flood. Miles of farmland were submerged by the Ohio River, especially near the confluence of the flooded Wabash River.

Flood in SPENCER, INDIANA
From 01-MAY-11 00:00:00 to 15-MAY-11 08:00:00 (CST-6)
Location: ROCKPORT
Flood cause: Heavy Rain
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: River/Stream Gage

Moderate flooding continued on the Ohio River from April. The river slowly fell after cresting in late April. Some agricultural land was flooded, forcing farmers to delay planting.

Flood in GIBSON, INDIANA
From 01-MAY-11 00:00:00 to 18-MAY-11 18:00:00 (CST-6)
Location: HAZLETON
Flood cause: Heavy Rain
Property damage: 0.40M
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: River/Stream Gage

Major flooding continued on the White River from April. At the Hazleton river gage, the river crested at 29.80 feet on May 4. This was tied for the fourth highest crest on record, and less than two feet below the January, 2005 flood. Boils occurred in the Hazleton levee. Since the levee was upgraded after the January, 2005 flood, it was able to withstand a crest of 31.5 feet. Local levees were at critical levels. Flood fighting and/or evacuations were in progress. Oil fields and residential areas on the river side of the levees flooded extensively. Many evacuations or relocations were necessary. Water was more than 3 feet deep in the west end of Hazleton. 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. Extensive river flooding occurred in northern Gibson County. Numerous county roads were flooded.

Flood in WARRICK, INDIANA
From 01-MAY-11 00:00:00 to 16-MAY-11 09:00:00 (CST-6)
Location: NEWBURGH
Flood cause: Heavy Rain
Property damage: 20.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: River/Stream Gage

Moderate flooding continued on the Ohio River from April. At the Newburgh river gage, the river continued to fall after cresting at 49.08 feet in late April. Part of Indiana Route 66 about one mile downriver from the dam was flooded. Highway 662 was flooded near the old lock and dam. Some low-lying agricultural land was flooded, forcing farmers to delay planting.

Flood in PIKE, INDIANA
From 01-MAY-11 00:00:00 to 30-MAY-11 04:00:00 (EST-5)
Location: AYRSHIRE
Flood cause: Heavy Rain
Property damage: 10.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: NWS Employee

Record flooding occurred on the Patoka River. There was extensive sandbagging in Winslow.