Bartholomew County Emergency Management

06/02/2026

SR46 Eastbound is closed between Brown St. and Washington St. due to a water main break.

06/02/2026

☀️ Summer is a season for swimming, camping, cookouts, fireworks, and outdoor fun, but it also brings unique safety challenges. From heat-related illnesses and lightning strikes to water emergencies, severe weather, and fireworks accidents, a little preparation can go a long way.

🛟 Our latest article shares practical tips to help you and your family stay safe all summer long. Take a few minutes to learn how to reduce your risk and make the most of the season safely.

⛱️ Read the full article here:

From extreme heat and lightning to water emergencies and severe weather, understanding the risks can help keep you and your loved ones safe throughout the summer months.

06/02/2026

Written by fellow EM, Thomas Fuller, Huntington County EMA.

EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT RESPONDS DIFFERENTLY

One of the biggest misconceptions about Emergency Management is that we are not a response agency.

At the local level, nothing could be further from the truth. The confusion comes from how people define response.

If response only means pulling hose, making arrests, or transporting patients, then Emergency Management may not fit their definition.

But response is much bigger than that.

When a major incident occurs, local Emergency Management is often:

• Activating the EOC, whether physically, virtually, or from the scene
• Supporting Incident Command
• Coordinating resources and mutual aid
• Managing situational awareness
• Coordinating public information
• Supporting elected officials
• Coordinating shelters and community support
• Tracking costs and documentation
• Preparing for the next step while operations continue.

Firefighters respond with suppression, EMS responds with patient care, and Law Enforcement responds with enforcement and security.

Emergency Management responds with coordination. As incidents become larger, more complex, and more prolonged, that coordination becomes increasingly important.

Emergency Management doesn't replace response agencies. Emergency Management helps response agencies succeed.

The hazard may change but the mission does not.

This is only a small portion of what emergency management does at the local level.

06/01/2026

☀️ Bartholomew County Emergency Management – June Update 🌩️

June marks the beginning of summer and brings longer days, warmer temperatures, and continued opportunities for severe weather across Indiana. While tornado season begins to taper off, June often brings strong thunderstorms capable of producing damaging winds, large hail, frequent lightning, and heavy rainfall that can lead to flash flooding. Here’s your June update to help you stay prepared as we head into the summer months.

🌦️ June Preparedness Tips

As temperatures rise and storm season continues, now is a great time to:
• Check your weather alerts and make sure emergency notifications are enabled on your phone
• Review your family's emergency communication plan
• Have a way to receive warnings if the power goes out overnight
• Keep vehicles fueled and emergency supplies stocked before summer travel
• Stay weather-aware when attending outdoor events, ballgames, festivals, or camping trips

⚡ June Focus: Lightning Safety

Lightning is one of the most common weather hazards during the summer months.

Lightning safety reminders:
• When thunder roars, go indoors
• Seek shelter in a sturdy building or hard-topped vehicle
• Avoid open fields, isolated trees, and bodies of water
• Wait at least 30 minutes after the last rumble of thunder before returning outside
• Remember: if you can hear thunder, you are close enough to be struck by lightning

🚨 Emergency Management Reminder

Many summer storms develop quickly and can impact outdoor activities with little warning. Before heading outside, check the forecast and identify nearby shelter options. A few minutes of preparation can help keep you and your family safe.

Follow Bartholomew County Emergency Management for local weather updates, preparedness information, and emergency alerts throughout the summer. Staying informed and having a plan can help you respond quickly when severe weather threatens.

💬 What's your go-to source for weather information during the summer? Let us know in the comments!

05/29/2026

On or after Thursday, June 4, crews will begin bridge approach rehabilitation work on I-65 over U.S. 31 (Exit 76) in Taylorsville. Short-term single-lane closures will be used on northbound and southbound I-65. The southbound I-65 off-ramp to southbound U.S. 31 will also be closed while work is in progress. Work is expected to take up to five days, weather permitting. 📲 Specific information is here: https://bit.ly/4vlizAZ

05/29/2026

...The Flood Warning is cancelled for the following rivers in Indiana...
Driftwood River near Edinburgh. River levels have dropped to below flood stage and are expected to continue falling.

INC005-081-145-291515-
/O.CAN.KIND.FL.W.0103.000000T0000Z-260529T1410Z/
/DREI3.1.ER.260528T1600Z.260528T2330Z.260529T0407Z.NO/
1010 AM EDT Fri May 29 2026
..FLOOD WARNING IS CANCELLED...

The Flood Warning is cancelled for
the Driftwood River near Edinburgh.

* ADDITIONAL DETAILS...
- At 9:30 AM EDT Friday the stage was 10.0 feet.
- Forecast...The river is expected to fall and remain below
flood stage.
- http://www.weather.gov/safety/flood

05/29/2026

Flood Warning Extended
1003 PM EDT Thu May 28 2026
..FLOOD WARNING NOW IN EFFECT UNTIL TOMORROW EVENING...

* WHAT...Minor flooding is occurring and minor flooding is forecast.

* WHERE...Driftwood River near Edinburgh.

* WHEN...Until tomorrow evening.

* IMPACTS...At 12.0 feet, Lowland flooding reported along Sugar
Creek and Big Blue River in southern Johnson County in March 2011.
Lowland flooding begins along portions of the Driftwood River in
northern Bartholomew County. Water is near CR 950N to Double Y
Saddle Club.

* ADDITIONAL DETAILS...
- At 9:30 PM EDT Thursday the stage was 11.4 feet.
- Recent Activity...The maximum river stage in the 24 hours
ending at 9:30 PM EDT Thursday was 11.5 feet.
- Forecast...The river is expected to rise to a crest of 11.4
feet just after midnight tonight. It will then fall below
flood stage tomorrow morning.
- Flood stage is 11.0 feet.
- http://www.weather.gov/safety/flood

05/28/2026

The SR-46 overpass has been reduced to one lane westbound due to a traffic accident involving an overturned semi-trailer. One person was transported to an area hospital for minor injuries.

Officers are expected to remain on scene for the next several hours. Please exercise caution and consider an alternate route of travel.

05/28/2026

5/29/2026 9:45 AM Update

High Water:
-Nothing reported at this time

Road Closures:
-None reported at this time

Please adhere to road closure signs. DO NOT attempt to go around them. Turn around, don't drown.

05/28/2026

⚠️ ROAD CLOSURE STARTING JUNE 1 2026 ⚠️

Per County Highway: Pond Drive and a portion of 650 West (at Grandview Lake Area) will be closed to all traffic on Monday, June 1st, 2026 from approx.. 7am until 4pm for Asphalt Overlay. Please avoid this area.