Tribune Staff Reports

The remnants of Gordon are expected to dump anywhere from 4 to 6 inches of rain in Jackson County this weekend.

After participating in a conference call Friday with the National Weather Service in Indianapolis, Duane Davis, director of the Jackson County Emergency Management Agency, said the main threat from the storm, which is now classified as a tropical depression, will impact the area this afternoon through Sunday evening.

“Some areas could receive more than 6 inches,” Davis said. “We could see moderate flooding from the East Fork White River with a forecast of 17.7 feet (at Rockford).”

Flood stage at Rockford is 12 feet. At 18 feet, extensive flooding is in progress with floodwaters near the east edge of Medora, according to the National Weather Service.

High water isolates the wastewater treatment plant at Seymour, and many county roads that do not cross the river begin to flood.

Many state and county roads also are impassable by water, and high water affects many rural residents, but only a few evacuations are necessary.

Davis said there remains a chance of a quick spin-up of a tornado in the area.

“Please avoid driving through water, as a car can be moved in as little as 2 feet of water,” he said. “Six inches can knock a person off their feet.”

The weather service also has a flash flood watch in place through Sunday evening for much of south central Indiana, including Jackson County.

The storm made landfall late Tuesday east of Biloxi, Mississippi, and is blamed for the death of a baby in Pensacola, Florida.