This article is about a developing weather situation and will be updated as more information becomes available.

Updated Aug. 12, 2026, at 10:26 a.m.

Heavy overnight rainfall triggered flash flood warnings, road closures and school cancellations across Wayne County on Wednesday morning, Aug. 12.

The National Weather Service issued a Flash Flood Warning until 9:15 a.m. for Wayne, Union and southeastern Fayette counties after thunderstorms dropped 3.5 to 5.5 inches of rain in parts of the area, with another 1 to 3 inches possible. Forecasters warned of life-threatening flash flooding affecting creeks, streams, roads and underpasses, and urged motorists to “Turn around, don’t drown” when encountering flooded roadways.

Wayne County commissioners have declared a Level II Flooding Emergency as of 9:30 a.m. for the county as well as Richmond and Centerville until 5 p.m. unless extended. Only essential travel is permitted on county roads for purposes such as travel to and from work or school, necessary medical care, prescription medications, essential food or fuel, safe shelter or by emergency vehicles/personnel. The emergency doesn’t apply to state or federal highways. Violators can be fined up to $150 per Indiana code.

The weather also disrupted school for several local districts. Richmond Community Schools and its Head Start program canceled classes with no e-learning, while Richmond Friends School, Western Wayne Schools and Centerville-Abington Community Schools also closed. Nettle Creek Schools shifted to an asynchronous e-learning day, Northeastern Wayne Schools delayed classes by two hours before later announcing a closure, and Seton Catholic School announced a two-hour delay.

Travel was further affected by a closure of U.S. 40 at Mulberry Street in Cambridge City because of flooding, while an eastbound crash on Interstate 70 west of Centerville closed the right lane of the highway until just after 8 a.m.

According to INDOT East Central, these roads are experiencing high water:

  • U.S. 40 in Cambridge City
  • State Road 3 in New Castle                                                                
  • U.S. 35 between Blountsville and Losantville
  • State Road 44 in Glenwood
  • State Road 1 south of Farmland
  • State Road 67 in Albany
  • State Road 121 south of Connersville
  • U.S. 27 in Lynn
  • State Road 26 east of Hartford
  • State Road 1 around State Road 28
  • State Road 236 at the Madison/Henry county line

Other delays, closings and cancellations:

  • Cambridge City Public Library is closed Wednesday. Fines for books due/overdue today will be forgiven.
  • Computer and printing services were down Wednesday morning at Morrisson-Reeves Library in Richmond. Morrisson-Reeves Library Express book truck stops at Midway Auction Barn and Boston are canceled Wednesday.
  • Richmond Parks and Recreation has canceled the Food Truck Wednesday and Pop-Up Market
  • Hand-in-Hand Adult Day Center of Richmond has closed
  • The master gardeners’ program and Blueprint for Health workshop at Richmond Senior Recreation Center have been canceled.
  • The Western Wayne Schools board meeting schedule for this evening has been moved to Monday, Aug. 17. The public hearing for the superintendent contract will be moved to 6 p.m., then followed by the regular monthly meeting.
  • Fountain City clerk’s office has delayed its opening to an unspecified time.
  • National Road Antique Mall in Cambridge City is closed.
  • Henry County Emergency Management says the county is moving to travel restriction/warning level, allowing emergency travel only because of numerous flooded streets/roads and highways.
  • Veterans of Foreign Wars Kirk-Little Post 1108 won’t open until noon Wednesday.
  • Hilltop Drive-In in Cambridge City will be closed until at least 4 p.m., when it will reassess road conditions and open if possible.
  • Hagerstown Library will be open normal hours but afternoon programming is canceled. The library doesn’t collect late fees.
  • Richmond Parks and Recreation urges extreme caution when driving through all Richmond parks. Employees are barricading dangerous areas as they are identified. Be alert for trees or limbs that could come down unexpectedly. Those encountering an unsafe condition in the parks should email parks@richmondindiana.gov or message via social media because the phone system is down.
  • Several LifeStream lunch cafes at senior centers will be closed, including Western Wayne, Centerville, Nettle Creek, Fayette County and New Castle
  • Cope Environmental Center’s Living Building and trails are closed. Residents are advised to stay off all Cope trails until conditions improve.
  • All Boys & Girls Clubs of Wayne County sites are closed Wednesday
  • The Excel Center in Richmond is closed Wednesday.
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