STATE OF INDIANA RESPONSE TO ONGOING SEVERE WEATHER AND FLOODING - 10:30AM EDT, APRIL 28, 2011.

INDIANAPOLIS, IN -- The following information was released by the Indiana Department of Homeland Security:

State of Indiana Response to Ongoing Severe Weather and Flooding

10:30am EDT, April 28, 2011

New information is in bold italics

DEVELOPING SITUATION

The flash flood watch for most of central and southern Indiana remains in effect through late Thursday evening.

There is a slight chance of shower and thunderstorms across Indiana today. Temperatures will be slightly cooler ranging in the lower 50s to upper 60s. Tonight, scattered showers may linger, but otherwise cloudy skies will settle in. Temperatures will drop into the upper 30s to mid 40s.

Extensive flooding will continue along area rivers for at least the next several days, with major flooding along portions of rivers in southern and southwest Indiana. Thunderstorms with a threat of heavy rain are possible Sunday into Monday as a cold front approaches and moves through the region.

Check the National Weather Service's updated forecast by visiting http://www.weather.gov/. Media Contact: THE FOLLOWING CONTACT INFORMATION IS NOT FOR DISCLOSURE TO THE PUBLIC: John Erickson or Emily Norcross (317) 234-6713, pio@dhs.in.gov.

Primary areas of concern continue to be the lower White, lower Wabash, Ohio and Patoka Rivers. Communities near these waterways are currently flooding or in danger of flooding in the next several days.

For more information about National Weather Service flood predictions, visit http://www.crh.noaa.gov/ind and click on the link on the left panel that says "Hydrology-Rivers and Lakes." The map displayed shows Indiana river gauges. Click on a gauging station for information about ongoing and predicted flooding in nearby areas.

County Emergency Declarations: The following twelve counties have issued county emergency declarations: Dubois, Floyd, Jackson, Jefferson, Jennings, Martin, Perry, Pike, Posey, Switzerland, Vanderburgh and Warrick .

If a county has issued an emergency declaration, this means the county board of commissioners has determined that conditions are such that emergency services may not be provided to the public in a timely fashion, and may be significantly delayed. A county emergency declaration initiates county emergency plans, and allows additional resources to be provided by the state to assist local response efforts.

County Travel Restrictions

For county travel status in Indiana, visit http://www.in.gov/dhs/files/travel-advisory-map.

Advisory- Daviess, Fulton, Gibson, Jackson, Jennings, Knox, Orange, Posey, Switzerland, Wayne.

Watch - Martin, Perry.

STATE RESPONSE

The Indiana Department of Homeland Security is in regular contact with county emergency management agencies regarding recent rainfall, flooding and the expectations that rainy conditions will continue.

IDHS is in its fourth day of increased staffing levels at the emergency operations center. On site representatives include planning, logistics, finance and administrative support from IDHS, and representatives from the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), the Indiana Department of Correction (DOC), Indiana Department of Natural Resources (DNR), Indiana Department of Transportation (INDOT), Indiana National Guard (INNG), Indiana State Police (ISP), the National Weather Service (NWS), Indiana Utility Regulatory Commission (IURC), the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE), and Red Cross.

The following county Emergency Operations Centers (EOC) are activated in Bartholomew, Cass, Daviess, Dubois, Fulton, Gibson, Howard, Jackson, Jennings, Knox, Martin, Perry, Pike, Porter, Spencer, Steuben, Switzerland, Vanderburgh, Vermillion, Vigo and Whitley.

Deployments

INNG: The Indiana National Guard has 215 guardsmen on State Active Duty to support flood control operations in Knox, Perry, Posey, Spencer and Vanderburgh counties . Three sandbagging machines are operating in Vanderburgh County.

DOC: A total of 55 inmates are assisting with sandbagging operations in Perry, Posey and Vanderburgh counties.

IDHS: The District Multi-Agency Coordination Center (DMACC) continues to support requests for assistance and flood fight operations in southwest Indiana. Currently, the DMACC is constructed of the IDHS Incident Response Vehicle (IRV). This operation has satellite Internet and phone access allowing effective communication to both the county level and back to the State EOC. In addition, with the use of video teleconference (VTC) and portable cameras, near real time imagery can be shared by multiple stakeholders across the state.

The close proximity of the DMACC to the threatened areas of concern allows for a more coordinated effort between county and state emergency management officials, better supporting local emergency operation needs and the needs of Hoosiers across the state.

The District 6 All-Hazards Incident Management Team (AHIMT) from east-central Indiana is also currently deployed in Knox County to assist local emergency management officials with the current flooding situation. The team is comprised of emergency responders from Howard, Tipton, Grant, Jay, Blackford, Delaware, Madison, Henry, Wayne, Rush, Fayette, and Union counties. Actions continue to include monitoring and fulfilling requests from local emergency management agencies and supporting local actions already underway.

ISP: Officers are on standby to assist with evacuations and road closures as requested by local officials. Troopers responded overnight to downed trees on southbound I-65 near the 45 mile marker. Troopers routed traffic and ultimately closed southbound I-65 due to safety concerns. Damage occurred to several cars, including a state police vehicle, but no injuries were reported. I-65 reopened at 5:15 Thursday morning, once the storm passed and debris was cleared.

DNR: The Department of Natural Resources has 43 officers stationed throughout the state monitoring radios and providing assistance as requested by local emergency management officials. DNR Conservation Officers responded to several requests overnight, assisting with rescues in Dubois, Floyd, and Washington counties. A Conservation Officer in Orange County additionally encountered 4 juveniles kayaking in flood waters without life jackets - she ordered them out of the water due to safety concerns.

PUBLIC ADVISORIES

Public shelters are open in eight counties ( Clark, Floyd, Gibson, Harrison, Martin, Posey, Vanderburgh and White ) with two shelters on standby ( Spencer and Switzerland ) . For locations, contact your local authorities or visit the American Red Cross site at http://app.redcross.org/nss-app.

For more information about actions before, during and after flooding, visit www.GetPrepared.in.gov.

Follow IDHS on twitter at www.twitter.com/IDHS to stay informed about this developing situation

Leadership for a Safe and Secure Indiana

Media Contact: THE FOLLOWING CONTACT INFORMATION IS NOT FOR DISCLOSURE TO THE PUBLIC: John Erickson or Emily Norcross (317) 234-6713, pio@dhs.in.gov.