Residents of central Indiana, including Indianapolis and nearby counties, are advised to prepare for rain and monitor the weather closely. The National Weather Service has issued a hazardous weather outlook and flood advisory, warning of potential flooding and a series of thunderstorms expected to impact the area from today through next Tuesday.
Today's weather will feature scattered showers and thunderstorms before 8 a.m., followed by additional scattered showers between 8 a.m. and 11 a.m., and then more scattered showers and thunderstorms after 11 a.m., according to the NWS forecast. Isolated thunderstorms are possible throughout the day, with the potential for lightning and heavy rain. The area is expecting a 50% chance of rain, with new rainfall amounts generally under a tenth of an inch, though higher amounts may occur in thunderstorms.
The flood advisory currently in effect until 9:15 a.m. this morning also warns locals of "minor flooding in low-lying and poor drainage areas" after receiving between 0.25 and 2 inches of rain with "additional rainfall amounts up to 1.5 inches" expected, which may flooding. Several counties are named in the advisory, encompassing Indianapolis, Carmel, Fishers, and many other areas where residents could see impacts.
The storm activity is expected to persist in the coming days. The National Weather Service notes that isolated to scattered thunderstorms may occur through Friday night. There is also a forecast for strong to severe storms late Thursday into Thursday night, though uncertainty remains high. The NWS also indicates that severe thunderstorms are possible on Friday, with brief heavy rain and lightning as potential hazards in any storm.
As residents prepare for the upcoming period of wet and potentially severe weather, the NWS recommends staying updated with local forecasts and being ready to act quickly if conditions worsen. In the event of heavy rain, drivers are advised to follow the well-known safety reminder: "Turn around, don`t drown when encountering flooded roads. Most flood deaths occur in vehicles."
