Indiana Town Sees Over 140% of Monthly Rainfall in 2 Days

Torrential storms pummel Midwest, causing widespread flooding concerns

Published on Mar. 5, 2026

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More than 5 inches of rain fell in just 48 hours in Millhousen, Indiana, amounting to 142% of the town's average monthly rainfall. The heavy downpours have led to major flooding along the East Fork White River, with officials warning residents to avoid flooded roads as river levels are expected to crest in major flood stage overnight.

Why it matters

The extreme rainfall in a short period of time has overwhelmed the region's waterways, leading to dangerous flooding conditions that threaten public safety and infrastructure. This event highlights the growing threat of severe weather patterns driven by climate change, which can produce intense, localized storms that strain local emergency response capabilities.

The details

The Hoosier State has been hit by several days of torrential rain this week, with the rural town of Millhousen recording 5.11 inches of rain over a 48-hour period. This amount is 142% of the average monthly rainfall for the nearby city of Shelbyville. The heavy rains have pushed rivers and streams past capacity, prompting widespread flood alerts across central and southern Indiana. The East Fork White River at Seymour is expected to crest in major flood stage overnight, potentially leading to evacuations and impassable roads.

  • Over the past 48 hours, 3.97 inches of rain fell in Shelbyville, placing 7th on the all-time list for two-day rainfall amounts.
  • On Tuesday, Indianapolis broke a daily rainfall record when 2.59 inches fell, surpassing the previous record of 2.24 inches set in 2023.
  • The National Weather Service has warned that additional rainfall over the weekend and next week could lengthen the amount of time the East Fork White River remains in flood.

The players

National Weather Service (NWS)

The federal agency responsible for weather forecasting and issuing alerts for severe weather events.

Aaron Updike

A meteorologist with the National Weather Service who provided information about the extreme rainfall in Millhousen, Indiana.

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What they’re saying

“This is definitely way more than normal.”

— Aaron Updike, Meteorologist (Newsweek)

“Total rainfall amounts of 3 to over 5 inches of rain across much of central and southern Indiana will bring major flooding to the East Fork White at Seymour and moderate flooding to most of the rest of the East Fork White River basin. Additional rainfall over the weekend and next week could lengthen the amount of time the river remains in flood.”

— NWS Indianapolis (Newsweek)

“Motorists should not attempt to drive around barricades or drive cars through flooded areas.”

— NWS Indianapolis (Newsweek)

What’s next

The National Weather Service has warned that additional rainfall over the weekend and next week could lengthen the amount of time the East Fork White River remains in flood, prolonging the threat of dangerous flooding conditions in the region.

The takeaway

This extreme rainfall event highlights the growing threat of severe weather patterns driven by climate change, which can produce intense, localized storms that overwhelm local infrastructure and emergency response capabilities. As communities face more frequent and intense flooding, it is crucial for officials to invest in resilient infrastructure, improve early warning systems, and educate the public on flood safety to protect lives and property.