The National Weather Service office in La Crosse, Wisconsin has issued a Flood Warning covering 22 areas across portions of Minnesota, Indiana, and Ohio. The warning was issued on September 19 at 10:32 AM CDT and remains in effect until 5:00 PM CDT this afternoon.
Among the areas currently under the warning are Fillmore, Mower, Olmsted, Waseca, and Houston counties in Minnesota; Adams, Wells, and Allen counties in Indiana; and Van Wert and Auglaize counties in Ohio, along with a dozen additional areas. A Flood Warning means flooding is either occurring now or is imminent – this is a step above a Flood Watch, which only means conditions are favorable for flooding.
Residents in the affected areas may notice water rising along rivers, creeks, and streams, as well as ponding on roadways, water over low-water crossings, and flooding in basements or low-lying spots. Recent heavy rainfall in the region has saturated the ground, so even moderate additional rain can run off quickly and push waterways out of their banks.
If you live in one of the warned areas, a few sensible steps are worth taking right now. First, never drive through water covering a road – as little as six inches of moving water can knock a person down, and a foot of water can carry away most vehicles. Turn around and find another route. Second, if you live near a creek, river, or other low-lying area, move valuables and electronics to higher ground and be ready to relocate if water approaches your home. Third, keep monitoring local updates through the afternoon, as the warning could be extended, expanded, or allowed to expire at 5:00 PM depending on how conditions develop.
Flooding is the most common weather-related hazard in the United States, but most flood deaths happen in vehicles and are preventable with cautious decision-making. This data comes from the National Weather Service (NWS), which issues and updates flood warnings in real time.
Frequently Asked Questions
What should I do right now if I'm in a warned area?
Avoid driving through any water-covered roads, move away from streams and low-lying spots, and keep an eye on local weather updates until the warning expires at 5:00 PM CDT.
How long will this Flood Warning last?
The warning is currently set to expire at 5:00 PM CDT on September 19, though the NWS may extend it if flooding continues or cancel it early if waters recede.
Which counties are affected?
The warning covers 22 areas including Fillmore, Mower, Olmsted, Waseca, and Houston counties in Minnesota; Adams, Wells, and Allen counties in Indiana; and Van Wert and Auglaize counties in Ohio, plus 12 additional areas.
What's the difference between a Flood Watch and a Flood Warning?
A Flood Watch means conditions are favorable for flooding, while a Flood Warning means flooding is already happening or imminent – so this warning calls for immediate caution, especially around roads and waterways.
Keep tracking this:
Source: National Weather Service (NWS)
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Sky & Solar Conditions at the Time
Moon: First Quarter (57% illuminated), in Capricorn.
Notable planetary angles: Moon sextile Venus (59°), Sun sextile Mars (62°), Mercury opposite Saturn (178°), Mercury sextile Jupiter (57°).
Concurrent space weather: planetary Kp index 1.7; strongest recent solar flare: nothing notable.
This is a factual snapshot, not a claim of cause and effect – researchers are divided on whether lunar, planetary or solar factors influence seismic or weather activity. It’s included so readers can track the pattern for themselves over time.
