The river flood season got off to an early start as the year 2020 opened. Rather mild and wet conditions continued into the new year. Rainfall totals across the region were 1 to over 3 inches above normal for January. The subtropical jetstream was very active, drawing in moisture from the eastern Pacific and the Gulf of Mexico. This provided very heavy rainfall, especially during the first half of the month. Heavy rainfall on the 11th caused many of the region's rivers to rise rapidly. The mainstem White and Wabash Rivers were already high and just began rising again.

Flood in GIBSON, INDIANA
From 12-JAN-20 00:00:00 to 27-JAN-20 18:00:00 (CST-6)
Location: HAZLETON
Flood cause: Heavy Rain
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: River/Stream Gage

Moderate flooding occurred on the White River. The river crested at 25.53 feet on the 19th at the Hazleton river gage. Moderate flooding begins at 24 feet. People in residential cabins on the riverward side of the levee generally relocate at this level. Many local roads were completely impassable. Oil fields were inaccessible. Water began to come onto the street at the corner of West 2nd Street and Brown Street in the town of Hazleton. Extensive flooding of agricultural fields occurred. Since this flood occurred primarily outside of the growing season, little if any crop damage occurred.

Flood in GIBSON, INDIANA
From 12-JAN-20 08:00:00 to 28-JAN-20 22:00:00 (CST-6)
Location: EAST MT CARMEL
Flood cause: Heavy Rain
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: River/Stream Gage

Moderate flooding occurred on the Wabash River. The river crested at 27.85 feet on the 20th at the Mt. Carmel river gage. Moderate flooding begins at 25 feet. Cattle and farm equipment were relocated. Extensive lowland flooding occurred. Flood waters began to affect residents of East Mt. Carmel. Fifth Street that parallels the river was closed. A  restaurant along the river closed. Several local river roads flooded. The Wabash River was more than 2 miles wide at I-64.

Flood in PIKE, INDIANA
From 10-JAN-20 06:00:00 to 25-JAN-20 12:00:00 (EST-5)
Location: PETERSBURG
Flood cause: Heavy Rain
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: River/Stream Gage

Moderate flooding occurred on the White River. The river crested at 24.76 feet on the 18th at the Petersburg river gage. Moderate flooding begins at 23.5 feet. Extensive bottomland flooding affected agricultural and rural residential areas. Several rural county roads flooded. A few residents moved out of an area locally known as Dodge City. Several small oil fields were inaccessible. Since this occurred primarily outside of agricultural season, little or no crop damage occurred. High water isolated some river cabin residents. State Road 257 was completely flooded.

Flood in POSEY, INDIANA
From 12-JAN-20 00:00:00 to 29-JAN-20 08:30:00 (CST-6)
Location: NEW HARMONY
Flood cause: Heavy Rain
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: River/Stream Gage

Moderate flooding occurred on the Wabash River. The river crested at 20.17 feet on the 21st at the New Harmony, IN river gage. Moderate flooding begins at 20.0 feet. Considerable flooding of low ground occurred, but most of the low ground was dormant agricultural fields. Some county roads were flooded. Water encroached on parts of northern New Harmony, and Harmonie State Park was closed. Some stripper oil wells were flooded along the river from New Harmony to Mt. Vernon Indiana.