Downtown Indy roads flood due to heavy rains

Indy commuters may have to find a new route this morning as some roads are flooded due to heavy rains.

Flooding has stalled at least two cars under a bridge on 10th Street near Sherman, local news stations are reporting.

Wicker Road remains closed between just west of Lake Road and just east of State Road 37, according to Kyle Bloyd with Indy's DPW.

Central Indiana and surrounding counties are under a flood warning until 10:15 a.m. Tuesday. Flood prone locations like creeks, rivers, streams and other low-lying areas could be affected, according to the National Weather Service.

A series of overnight storms and continued rainfall have brought 1.5-2.5 inches of rain so far with an additional inch expected in the area.

Live weather updates:Indianapolis facing heavy rainfall and flooding, Tuesday, April 2. Snow showers Wednesday, April 3?

NWS: Turn around, don't drown

Flooding is the main cause of deaths during thunderstorms, and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention says more than half of all drownings occur when a vehicle is driven into hazardous floods.

The National Weather Service advisers commuters to never drive around barriers blocking flooded areas. Roads may have collapsed underwater and the holes would remain unseen to drivers.

Even just 12 inches of rushing water can carry away most cars and 2 feet can carry SUVs and trucks.

It's never safe to drive or walk into flood waters.

Karl Schneider is an IndyStar environment reporter. You can reach him at karl.schneider@indystar.com. Follow him on Twitter @karlstartswithk

IndyStar's environmental reporting project is made possible through the generous support of the nonprofit Nina Mason Pulliam Charitable Trust.