Thursday rain causes flooding throughout city

MUNCIE – Rain showers Thursday morning caused problems for people trying to make their way around the city.

A handful of drivers had to be rescued from their vehicles after becoming stuck in high water.

About six first responders were called out to assist one female driver from her car at Willard and Elliott streets. The Madison Street underpass also flooded, a common occurrence during heavy rainfall, and at least one empty car was underwater by noon.

There were numerous calls from distressed motorists, according to Delaware County dispatch. No serious injuries were reported, but many of the calls came from areas that have been known to flood.

Donnie Wright, a supervisor with the Muncie Street Department, said his department spent the morning setting up barricades to warn drivers of possible flooding. He said drivers often believe they can make it through flooded streets but that's often not that case.

"People just need to be careful," he said.

The rain began to subside around 12:30 p.m., and Wright said the street department would spend the rest of the day picking up the barricades and clearing debris away from drains.

"Once we do that, the water usually drains pretty quickly," he said.

Clearing leaves and sticks away from a drain along High Street is how Naomi Kirby was spending a portion of her afternoon. She said she has to make sure the water goes down, otherwise her basement will flood. Armed with a broom and rain boots, she said, clearing the drain is just something she has to do.

"Some women get high heels," she said. "I get rubber boots."

Another round severe weather moved through East Central Indiana late Thursday night. Rain was so heavy that the national weather service just after 10 p.m. issued a flash flood warning for Delaware County.

Contact reporter Rachel Pyle at (765) 213-5845. You can also follow her on Twitter @RachelPyleTSP