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Last updated on Friday, January 20, 2012
(UNDATED) - The National Weather Service expects river flooding in Medora, Wheeler Hollow and the Fort Ritner areas by today, but it is not expected to exceed levels seen in early December.
Jackson County Sheriff Michael Carothers says his department has received several calls of people being stranded in high waters. He cautions drivers not to drive through flood waters.
Lawrence County dispatchers say there are no roads reported closed in Lawrence County.
Three area residents were pulled from floodwaters Wednesday in Jackson County.
A 22-year-old Seymour woman was pulled from her vehicle early Wednesday morning after she drove into floodwaters in the Madden Hill area on County Road 700 East. Indiana Conservation Cpl. Nate Berry says there was about six inches of water in her car, so she curled up in the front seat and waited for help.
Carothers says she saw the water, but was going about 50 miles per hour and couldn't get stopped. Her car left the road and into a ditch covered with flood water. Conservation officers launched an airboat and rescued the woman.
Later in the day, Hamilton Township firefighters pulled two men from a vehicle that stalled in floodwaters of White Creek in northern Hamilton Township in the 1500 block of East County Road 875 North at about 1 p.m.
The men were in about 2-feet of water according to Hamilton Township Capt. Cody Hercamp. Firefighters backed a fire truck into the water and loaded the two men on the back and drove out of the water.
Rainfall has pushed the East Fork White River nearly five feet over its flood stage, which is 12 feet at Seymour.
The East Fork White River swelled beyond its banks overnight Tuesday en route to a crest of 16.48 feet at 9:45 a.m. Wednesday.
"Extensive river flooding developed quickly Tuesday night along the East Fork White River... following locally intensive rainfall of 2 inches or more," the National Weather Service said.
The flood stage at Seymour is 12 feet.
Jackson County Sheriff's Department reported some local roads were flooded, including Indiana 235 between Medora and Vallonia.
A flood warning is in effect for the Muscatatuck River at Wheeler Hollow in Washington and Jackson counties until further notice.
Here's a list of area roads reported under floodwaters Wednesday afternoon by Jackson County Sheriff's Department:
* Shieldstown Bottoms on County Road 100 East
* 550 North between 500 and 600 East
* 50 North between 950 East and U.S. 31
* 400 West between U.S. 50 and Vallonia
* 725 North between 760 and 700 East
* 800 North between 575 and 700 East
* Waymansville Pike at 900 North
* Slab Road at Brownstown
* 300 North between 100 East and U.S. 50
* 400 East between 550 and 600 North
* Indiana 235 between Medora and Vallonia
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