Storms leave high water, downed trees and trouble

Warning signs were posted on CR?375 East and 300 North Wednesday after heavy rain swamped the roadway, making it impassible.

Torrential rains soaked an already soggy Putnam County Tuesday night. But, overall the county was fortunate as high winds, tornados and hail fell over the central and southern parts of the state but not here.

Several storms blew through the area during the night causing roads to flood and knocking over a few trees.

Emergency responders rescued a stranded woman with two five-year olds near Fillmore early Wednesday morning. No one was injured and the group got to safety with the help of firefighters and police officers.

Several areas on Fillmore Road were flooded and Greencastle Street Commissioner Paul Wilson said his crews worked to clear storm drains.

"That's just a huge amount of water coming down all at once," he said.

There was also high water in the vicinity of Veterans' Memorial Highway and U.S. 231, the commissioner reported.

Putnam County Highway workers were busy checking roads and closing those with high water.

Reports of cars being stranded on flooded roads in the southern part of the county came in Wednesday evening.

Bob Farrow, with the Putnam County Highway Department told the BannerGraphic that there are a lot of roads flooding.

"All the roads we normally have trouble with are flooded but we have some that don't usually flood that have," he said.

He warns people not to cross any roadways with water on them, especially running water.

"The water is even deeper in the areas that usually flood. People need to use caution even after the water goes down there may be washouts," explained Farrow.

"If you see a high water sign or closed sign, obey it. Don't drive through it. Find another route," cautioned Farrow.

A tree was knocked down on CR 675 near CR 600 and crews were working on removing it Wednesday.

Storms brought down a large tree on Washington Street, just east of Bloomington Street, in Greencastle, knocking out power to the stoplight at that busy intersection Wednesday.

So far, the bridges in the county appear to be safe but Big Walnut Creek is rising rapidly and the Highway Department is keeping a close eye on areas where bridges and roads could be affected.

The rain gauge near the dam on Big Walnut Creek registered just over four inches since Tuesday.

Elsewhere across the state, in Rush County the Moscow Covered Bridge was blown completely away. Reports say it was hit by a tornado.

Back home, Putnam County's nine covered bridges have not been damaged but there is concern about these and other county bridges as Big Walnut continues to rise.

One to two more inches of rain hit the area Wednesday morning with more storms through the night hours on Wednesday and early Thursday morning.