Fort Wayne, IN – Torrential overnight thunderstorms are raising the risk of flash flooding across northern Indiana and nearby parts of Michigan and Ohio, with intense rainfall rates capable of overwhelming drainage systems before sunrise Wednesday.
According to the National Weather Service in Northern Indiana, a Flood Watch remains in effect until 6 a.m. EDT Wednesday (5 a.m. CDT) for much of northern Indiana along with portions of northwest Ohio and southwest Michigan, including cities such as Fort Wayne, South Bend, Elkhart, La Porte, and Defiance.
Multiple rounds of showers and thunderstorms are moving across the region overnight. Some storms may produce rainfall rates of 1 to 2 inches per hour, which could quickly lead to excessive runoff. Urban areas and locations with poor drainage face the greatest flooding risk as storm drains and small waterways become overwhelmed.
Roadways, low-lying intersections, and creeks may begin to fill rapidly if the heaviest rain bands stall. Officials advise drivers to avoid water-covered roads and remain alert for rapidly changing conditions during the early morning commute.
The heaviest storms are expected to move out by sunrise, but water levels in creeks and streams may remain elevated for several hours afterward. Additional warnings could be issued if flooding develops before the watch expires early Wednesday morning.
