Monday, April 7, 2025
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City of Shelbyville Flood Update
MEDIA RELEASE
The City of Shelbyville remained under a state of emergency as of yesterday afternoon due to rapidly evolving flood conditions impacting both the Big Blue and Little Blue Rivers.
Significant damage has occurred throughout the floodplain, including uprooted trees that are now floating downstream and the floating of padding structures in Sunset Park. These developments underscore the increasing velocity and strength of the floodwaters.
As of noon, the Big Blue River was nearing or potentially had already reached its crest. While unofficial data suggested a possible peak, the official National Weather Service forecast indicated a crest of 20.4 feet to occur around 2 p.m., which would surpass the historical record of 20.2 feet. The City continues to monitor closely.
The Little Blue River officially peaked at 13.28 inches and has begun to recede, though it remains at Major Flood Stage. The lingering rainfall, which lasted longer than originally forecasted, continues to influence water levels across both rivers. River forecast models are dynamically adjusting based on the prolonged precipitation.
The City of Shelbyville is actively monitoring both flood gauges maintained by the National Weather Service (NOAA):
Big Blue River Gauge (River Road, west of City Cemetery): View Live Data and Forecasts
Little Blue River Gauge (Near the former National Guard Building): View Live Data and Forecasts
Absolutely no traffic is permitted on River Road. Floodwaters are moving swiftly and unpredictably. Standing water may conceal debris, sinkholes, or washed-out pavement. For the safety of the public and emergency crews, citizens must stay away from flood-prone areas, especially River Road, and refrain from entering any flooded zones.
Emergency Resources:
Evacuation Site: As of yesterday afternoon, in partnership with Shelby County Emergency Management Agency - Indiana and the American Red Cross, the City of Shelbyville closed the shelter. This decision was made only after confirming that all individuals who requested assistance or indicated a need for shelter had safely returned to their homes and no further requests had been made.
Sandbags: Available on a first-come, first-served basis outside the Street Department at 605 Hale Road.
City personnel, including Fire Department, Police, DNR, and Street and Utility crews, are continuing 24/7 operations to support evacuations, monitor river activity, and respond to emerging needs.
Shelbyville residents are strongly encouraged to:
Evacuate early if located in a flood-prone area
Avoid all non-essential travel
Sign up for local emergency alerts and check official channels for updates
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NOTEBOOK:
This is heavy trash week in Shelbyville, to be collected on your regular garbage day.
Cabell’s Ice Cream is open for the season.
Local resident James Adkins shared flood footage taken via drone on Facebook, which was then picked up by Indianapolis TV media yesterday.
HOOSIER NEWS: The state of Indiana is preparing to replace the consulting firm it works with to help prepare its Medicaid forecasts. That comes after a forecasting miss in 2023 that put Indiana $1 billion off the mark for Medicaid funding. The state indicated this week it will enter negotiations with Deloitte Consulting for its Medicaid actuarial services, replacing Milliman. Lawmakers of both parties had focused significant criticism on Milliman after the $1 billion forecasting error. Sen. Chris Garten (R-Charlestown) was one of those lawmakers. He now says information-sharing restrictions may have been the culprit — restrictions being removed in legislation this session. (Indiana Public Media)
NATIONAL NEWS: The state of California is in great shape for summer, with the state’s snowpack in the Sierra Nevada mountains reaching 96 percent of average at the start of April. For the first time in 25 years, the state has had 3 consecutive years of ample water in the mountains. This comes on the heels of the driest three-year period on record: the run from 2020 to 2022. The water situation is doing well by other measures, too. Since October, precipitation was 103 percent of average, and the state’s reservoirs are 117 percent of their average level. (Phys.org/Numlock)
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Courier Feature: 3-D Flower Shop
February 2, 1968
The 3-D Flower Shop is an established rock and roll band that was organized three years ago in a garage on Miller Street.
Actually, three years ago, this group was known as the Derbys. They were one of the first combos organized here in Shelbyville. They changed their name to the Commonwealth just before their drummer, Walley Morris, quit the group in order to go to college; then they hired a girl drummer. After this, they made one more change of members, and changed their name to the present 3-D Flower Shop, which gives a psychedelic effect.
The members of the group are: Jim Branson, 19, bass guitar. Jim graduated from Shelbyville High School in 1966 and now works at Kennedy Car Liner. He is also the leader of the group.
Arthur Edington, 19, organist. Art is a freshman at Purdue. Dana Ayers, a sophomore at Southwestern High School, plays lead guitar. Ethel (Joy) McCowan, 16, rattles the skins and is a junior here at SHS.
The group's style of music runs along the line of such groups as the Who, the Spencer Davis Group, and the Jefferson Airplane.
The 3-D Flower Shop played at Vincennes University, Martinsville, Butler College, Whiteland, Indiana Central, Mockingbird Hill, Fort Benjamin Harrison, and various local dances. Having placed eighth at the Young America Fair Combo at the Indiana State Fair last summer, they were presented with a trophy.
The group's plans for the future are joining a booking agency, and later turning union.
SHS Courier Archive Highlights
January 13, 1970, Part II
Cheryl Stillabower was the guest speaker for the Future Nurses Club. Cheryl (Wilson) was a past president of the club and a recipient of the Nina Lee Shull Award in 1966. She was a surgical nurse at Major Hospital.
Among the new teachers at SHS were Mr. Farley and Mrs. Paulette Colin.
Concession stand managers for the year were Jim Linne, Janet Coulston, Jan Thieman and Bob Horton.
Students were asked what they would do with a 25th hour in the day. Becky Ross said she would spend it watching TV programs. Lori Fryer said she would stay out on dates longer. Chris Werbe said he would listen to WLS and WNAP radio and the SHS Dance Band. Shelley Shaner said she would sleep.
Sparky Cotanch and Greg Baker were co-captains of the swim team.
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This Day in Shelby County History
News around Shelbyville and the surrounding area as reported on or about this date in history. Selections are curated by The Addison Times from Shelby County Public Library Genealogy Department materials.
2005: Santa Fe Cattle Co. Steakhouse officials announced plans to open a restaurant at the entrance to the Intelliplex Park on North State Road 9.
1995: An addition, built by Runnebohm Construction, was underway at Detroit Steel in Morristown. The area would house new equipment to be used in the finishing process of springs for trucks.
1985: After waiting several days for the water to recede in Brandywine Creek, workers recovered a car swept off a bridge on CR 1100 N almost 200 yards downstream from where it went into the water. The car, driven by Eva Christopher of Morristown, had been swept off the bridge, which didn’t have guardrails, as she tried to cross the flooded creek. She opened a window and slipped out of the car as it sunk because she couldn’t get a door opened.
Blake Ress, Shelbyville High School athletic director, was named state Athletic Director of the Year by the Indiana Interscholastic Athletic Directors Association. Ress, 43, had been the athletic director for 11 years.
1975: Five former Morristown basketball coaches were on hand for the 1975 Jacket athletic awards banquet. They were Warren Stephens, Roger Bridge, Norm Morris, Gerald Furr and Bill Whiteside. Also, five players who had been on the famed 1943 Morristown team were on hand: Bruce Furr, Harold Smith, Fred John, Marvin Wood and Bob Ross.
Jon Bridges received the Rouse-Wortman Award at the Morristown awards. Mrs. Arnold, daughter of Lawrence Wortman, presented the award. It was the 30th anniversary of the award, which was named in memory of Charles Rouse and Dwight Wortman, two members of the 1943-44 Morristown basketball team who lost their lives in World War II.
1965: A semi-trailer struck 856 S. Harrison St., owned by Moris VanWay, causing considerable damage to the corner of the brick building located at Harrison, Jefferson Ave. and First St.
Local merchants announced plans for the third Mother of the Year contest. The previous winners were Mrs. Ward McKenney and Mrs. Earl Cole.
1955: Nine Charles Major School students put on an Easter program: Bill Pittman, Jona Drake, Patricia Branson, Frederick Kuhn, Ricky Sandefur, Suzy Arzett, Bill Cummings, Janet Hester and John McClain.
The Tee-Pee Drive Inn announced they would offer an Easter Sunrise Breakfast special consisting of hickory smoked ham, eggs, biscuits, jelly and Maxwell House coffee.
1945: Waldron students raised a “schools at war” flag in recognition of its war-stamp buying program. In order to fly the special flag, 90 percent of students at the school must have taken part in the war-stamp program for at least four consecutive weeks.
1935: Dogs owned by Robert Powell, 71, of Rush County, were credited with saving his life after he fell from a barn loft to the floor below. Hogs attempted to attack and trample Powell, but his dogs fought off the hogs. Powell was treated at Major Hospital.
1925: Arnold Caroon, whose parents lived on Knightstown Road, was awarded the coveted “P” letter at Purdue University. Arnold was awarded the letter for his work on the fencing team.
1915: Two state fish and game commissioners showed up unannounced at the Shelby County courthouse and demanded access to all rooms. They were responding to reports that a seine (fishing net) was hidden on the premises. Custodian Ora Mallory first thought it was a delayed April Fool’s joke, but eventually handed over the keys. Curious attorneys and court staff watched the commissioners search to no avail. “It was admitted that there had been one there some time ago, but one dark night it disappeared under mysterious circumstances,” The Republican said. The seine had apparently been used. To dry it off, it was placed in the courthouse yard to dry. The next morning, the net was gone. “That was what the fish commissioners were told,” the paper said. Before leaving, the commissioners said they intended to search some homes in the county, and that “there would be but little seining and dynamiting this season, even if they were forced to stay in the county until the rivers froze over with ice.”
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OBITUARIES
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