Devestating Flooding Hits Northeastern Jefferson County and Northwestern Switzerland County

EMA will be giving updates thru out the week

Update From EMA Sept 5 

**UPDATE** For Immediate Release The Jefferson County Coroner’s Office has confirmed the identity of the female remains found along Brushy Fork as the missing resident of the 8600 block of E. Brushy Fork Road Her home was swept away by flash flooding on Saturday. The condolences of the Jefferson County Emergency Management Agency go out to the family of the victim.

The Jefferson County Highway Department continues its work on East Brushy Fork Road in northeastern Jefferson County. They are working diligently to make roads passable for residents. Damage to bridges and roads will continue into the foreseeable future and permanent repairs will be made as soon as possible. Nonresidents are asked to avoid the area and give the crews space to conduct their work.

The following is the most recent closure notices from the county highway department

Bridge # 103 on Brushy Fork Rd, Between 7500 Block of Brushy Fork Rd and McCarty Hill Rd

Bridge # 154 Dow Ridge Rd, Between Brushy Fork Rd and Tate Ridge Rd Bridge

Bridge # 53 on Brushy Fork Rd and Brushy Fork Rd, Between Sugan Hollow Rd and Tate Ridge Rd

The above listed bridges are closed for an indefinite period. We will update when we get them repaired. Several of the county roads are passable but will need work done. Our crews will be out in the upcoming days working diligently to get the roads back in order. Be cautious in the area due to the damaged roads and for the safety of all the personnel trying to restore these hard-hit areas.

We will update if we find that other roads or bridges need extra attention. We appreciate your patience and awareness to our crews and the residents of the affected area.

The Jefferson County Commissioners have signed a declaration of emergency which is the first step in requesting state and federal assistance. Local Emergency Management officials spent the day on Monday with representatives from the Indiana department of Homeland Security in the area. Damage assessments continue as they work through the process of securing that assistance. Initial assessment results indicate 20 addresses along the road are affected. If any residents have damage that officials may not be aware of they are asked to contact the Emergency Management office at 812.265.7616.

Initial Press Release on Sunday Sept 4 From EMA Director Troy Morgan 

On Saturday September 3, 2022 at approximately 4:30pm Jefferson County Indiana experienced Flash Flooding. Excessive rains in Switzerland and Jefferson County fell in a short period of time resulting in a devastating flash flood along Brushy Fork Creek in north eastern Jefferson County. Local rain gauges’ report in excess of 9 inches in three hours

An Initial 911 report from the area indicated there was a female resident unable to exit her residence in the 8000 block of E Brushy Fork Road due to water. Responders encountered difficulty accessing the address due to flooded roads, damaged or blocked bridges and debris obstructions. Upon arrival, it appeared the property’s structures had been washed away. No residents were located. Over the course of the next few hours’ extensive damage over a large area became obvious

Multiple reports revealed five residents unaccounted for. By 8:00pm all but one was located and no injuries were reported. Sometime after dark the search had to be suspended until daylight on Sunday. Prior to resuming the search, the body of a female believed to be the missing individual was discovered a significant distance downstream from the address of the missing person. The Jefferson County Coroner’s Office is conducting the death investigation and identity confirmation.

Initial assessment of Brushy Fork Road this morning reveals twenty addresses involved, two homes destroyed and three other with minor damage. The remaining properties all sustained nonstructural damage.

Roads and bridges in the area have sustained extensive damage and many are impassable. Nonresidents are encouraged to avoid the area and allow authorities to work in the area.

Responding Agencies: Jefferson County Sheriff Indiana Conservation Officers Canaan Fire Department Madison Fire Department Jefferson County Emergency Management Agency Jefferson County Highway Jefferson County Coroner’s Office Jefferson County Emergency Communications