The National Weather Service office in Northern Indiana has issued a Flood Warning effective from 6:25 AM EDT on September 17 until 9:20 PM EDT on September 21. The warning covers 16 areas across multiple states, including Adams and Wells counties in Indiana; Fremont and Page counties in Iowa; Maricopa and Pinal counties in Arizona; Atchison and Leavenworth counties in Kansas; and Carroll and Chariton counties in Missouri, along with six additional areas.
A Flood Warning means flooding is already occurring or is imminent in the affected areas — this is a step above a Flood Watch, which only means conditions are favorable for flooding. Residents in these counties may notice rivers and streams running high, water over roadways (especially low-water crossings and underpasses), ponding in fields and yards, and possible water entering basements or low-lying properties.
Because this warning spans parts of six states, conditions will vary by location. In the Midwest, the concern is typically river and creek flooding after recent heavy rain, while in Arizona’s Maricopa and Pinal counties, flash flooding in washes and desert low spots is a common hazard — dry streambeds can fill rapidly during storms.
What you should do
Never drive through flooded roads. Just six inches of moving water can knock a person down, and one to two feet can carry away a vehicle. ‘Turn around, don’t drown’ is the rule that saves the most lives in flood events.
Know your local conditions. Check your county’s specific forecast and river gauge levels, and follow any instructions from local emergency management, especially if you live near a river, creek, or low-lying area.
Be ready to move. If your home is in a flood-prone spot, keep a go-bag with medications, documents, chargers, and a change of clothes handy, and move valuables to higher floors. Have a plan for pets and family members who need extra time.
This warning runs through 9:20 PM EDT on September 21, so stay alert to updates over the coming days. Data and warning details come from the National Weather Service (NWS Northern Indiana office).
Frequently Asked Questions
What should I do right now if I'm in one of these counties?
Avoid driving through any water-covered roads, stay clear of flooded streams and low-water crossings, and monitor local forecasts or emergency alerts for your specific county, since conditions vary across the 16 affected areas.
How long will this flooding last?
The warning is in effect through 9:20 PM EDT on September 21 — roughly four days — though individual rivers and low spots may crest and recede sooner depending on local rainfall.
Does a Flood Warning mean flooding is actually happening?
Yes. A Flood Warning means flooding is occurring or imminent in the warned areas, unlike a Flood Watch, which only means flooding is possible. Take it seriously even if your street still looks dry.
Is it safe to drive if the water on the road looks shallow?
No. Depth is hard to judge, the road underneath may be washed out, and as little as one to two feet of moving water can sweep a vehicle away. Turn around and find another route.
Keep tracking this:
Source: National Weather Service (NWS)
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Sky & Solar Conditions at the Time
Moon: First Quarter (33% illuminated), in Sagittarius.
Notable planetary angles: Sun sextile Mars (61°), Mercury opposite Saturn (178°).
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.
