A series of heavy rainfall events in April, followed by another heavy rainfall event in early May, kept the Wabash, White, and Patoka Rivers above flood stage for most of the month. Some of the river flooding was major. Rainfall totals from April 28-30 ranged from 5 to 10 inches across much of southwest Indiana, except 2 to 4 inches east of Evansville along the Ohio River.

Flood in PIKE, INDIANA
From 01-MAY-17 09:00:00 to 18-MAY-17 14:00:00 (EST-5)
Location: BOWMAN
Flood cause: Heavy Rain
Property damage: 20.00K
Crop damage: 10.00K
Reported by: River/Stream Gage

Moderate flooding occurred on the White River. At the Petersburg river gage, the river crested at 25.44 feet on the 11th. Flood stage is 16 feet. This flood crest was about one-half foot below the flood crest of March, 2008. 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. Extensive flooding affected agricultural and rural residential areas. Oil fields were inaccessible. State Road 257 south of Washington was completely flooded.

Flood in GIBSON, INDIANA
From 01-MAY-17 05:00:00 to 16-MAY-17 20:00:00 (CST-6)
Location: EAST MT CARMEL
Flood cause: Heavy Rain
Property damage: 30.00K
Crop damage: 10.00K
Reported by: River/Stream Gage

Major flooding occurred on the Patoka River. The flood crest was only about one-half foot below the record, set in May of 2011. At the river gage on Indiana Route 65 near Patoka, the river crested at 24.29 feet on the 6th. Flood stage is 18 feet. Extensive flooding of farmland was observed. Seasonal camping trailers closest to the river became inundated.  During the peak of the flooding, numerous state and county roads were closed near the Patoka River. Floodwaters reached the edge of old U.S. Highway 41. Several inches of water covered Indiana Route 65 at Wheeling Crossing. Extensive flooding of low-lying fields occurred.

Flood in POSEY, INDIANA
From 02-MAY-17 03:30:00 to 21-MAY-17 20:00:00 (CST-6)
Location: NEW HARMONY
Flood cause: Heavy Rain
Property damage: 10.00K
Crop damage: 10.00K
Reported by: River/Stream Gage

Moderate flooding occurred along the Wabash River. At the New Harmony river gage, the river crested at 21.68 feet on the 12th. Flood stage is 15 feet. Floodwaters encroached on the northern and western edges of New Harmony. A few dead-end city streets that access the river bottomlands were flooded and closed. Harmonie State Park was closed. Some stripper oil wells were flooded along the river. Floodwaters extended nearly to Indiana Route 69 north of Route 68.

Flood in GIBSON, INDIANA
From 02-MAY-17 09:00:00 to 19-MAY-17 17:00:00 (CST-6)
Location: HAZLETON
Flood cause: Heavy Rain
Property damage: 25.00K
Crop damage: 10.00K
Reported by: River/Stream Gage

Moderate flooding occurred on the White River. At the Hazleton river gage, the river crested at 26.70 feet on the 12th. Flood stage is 16 feet. This crest was about a foot lower than the flood crest of March, 2008. Water was more than a foot 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. Flood gates were installed at Hazleton.

Flood in GIBSON, INDIANA
From 02-MAY-17 12:00:00 to 20-MAY-17 16:00:00 (CST-6)
Location: EAST MT CARMEL
Flood cause: Heavy Rain
Property damage: 20.00K
Crop damage: 10.00K
Reported by: River/Stream Gage

Moderate flooding occurred on the Wabash River. At the Mt. Carmel river gage, the river crested at 30.62 feet on the 10th. Flood stage is 19 feet. Extensive flooding occurred in East Mount Carmel and surrounding western Gibson County. The road through East Mount Carmel was impassable. Most structures in this area were elevated 2 to 3 feet above the flood waters, however some evacuations were necessary. Vehicles were moved to higher ground. Numerous local river roads were flooded.