You feel that first drop, then another, then the sky just opens up. Flash flooding — it’s fast, destructive, and when it hits 21Country, it leaves a big mess behind. But just how often does it actually happen around Northeast Indiana and Northwest Ohio? Maybe not as often as you’d think.
The Numbers Tell a Surprising Story
According to the Iowa Environmental Mesonet, the National Weather Service in Northern Indiana has only issued four flash flood warnings since January 2024. Compare that to over a dozen tornado warnings in 2025 alone — tornadoes are way more frequent around here.
Seems odd, right? Especially when you consider our area often sees rain falling at two to three inches per hour. But it’s true: flash flood warnings are relatively rare.
Why So Few Warnings?
So, what gives? Heavy rain is nothing new for us — farmland here has soaked up plenty over the decades. But for a flash flood to be declared, it’s not just about the rain itself.
Flash floods usually hit when:
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A sudden dam or levee failure happens.
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An ice jam busts apart.
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Heavy rain falls faster than the soil can absorb it.
If conditions don’t line up just right, you’ll get standing water and minor flooding — but not that “get to higher ground NOW” scenario that sparks an official warning.
Costly Floods, Even When Rare
Rare doesn’t mean harmless. One look at past storms says it all.
In 2017, parts of Van Wert, Ohio got slammed with six to eight inches of rain in less than a day. Downtown Wren flooded. Same storm? It hit Jay, Adams and Allen County too. People had to be rescued from vehicles as creeks spilled over.
One local firefighter said it best back then: “You never really know how deep it is ‘til you’re in it.”
Farms, Roads — And Your Basement
Around here, farm fields often become instant lakes when rivers and creeks jump their banks. Roads stay underwater for days. And in cities like Fort Wayne, storm drains can’t always keep up.
In 2022, a flash flood pushed rising water right up to the doors of houses in Fort Wayne’s Springwood neighborhood. Families scrambled to protect what they could.
It’s worth remembering:
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One inch of water inside a house can do thousands in damage.
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A few inches of moving water can knock you over.
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A foot or two can carry away your car — yes, your car.
The Big Ones Stay With You
Talk to folks who lived through the 2017 storm, and they’ll tell you they don’t forget. They remember firefighters pulling people out of flooded trucks on back roads. They remember basements under water. Some families never moved back.
| Notable Flash Flood Events | Impacted Areas | Rainfall (approx.) |
|---|---|---|
| August 2017 | Van Wert, Jay, Adams, Allen Counties | 6-8 inches in 24 hrs |
| July 2022 | Springwood neighborhood, Fort Wayne | 2-4 inches in hrs |
So, Does Flash Flooding Happen Here?
Absolutely. Not every year, not every storm — but when it does, it can turn life upside down overnight.
The moral of the story? Don’t brush off that flash flood warning if it pops up. Keep an eye on the forecast, especially if you’re near rivers or low-lying spots.
Because when the rain comes fast enough, 21Country can go under — fast.
