Flood watch issued as 'waves' of storms head to Indiana starting Wednesday afternoon

• Heavy rainfall is expected Wednesday through Saturday for much of Indiana
• How to keep track of watches, warnings and advisories
• Is your neighborhood at risk of flooding? Find out ways to check
• Where to check road conditions once weather hits. Be alert and turn around, don't drown

It's April Fool's Day, but the National Weather Service (NWS) Indianapolis said they were not joking about more hazardous weather being on the way.

The National Weather Service Indianapolis has issued a flood watch for the southern half of the state and a hazardous weather outlook to the north.

The watch remains in effect through Sunday and officials remind people to have multiple ways to receive warnings as several storm waves make their way across the Hoosier State.

"Heavy rainfall is possible from late Wednesday through Saturday night due to multiple wave passages," the flood watch notes. "Excessive runoff may result in flooding of rivers, creeks, streams, and other low-lying and flood-prone locations. Extensive street flooding and flooding of creeks and rivers are possible."

Flash flooding will be possible Wednesday night into Thursday morning with significant river flooding potentially developing late this week into the weekend.

The primary threat of the storm starts at 6 p.m. Wednesday with a threat of hail going until midnight. There's a moderate risk of flooding, an enhanced risk of wind and possible tornadoes, and a slight risk of hail.

Indianapolis Flood Guage

Is my neighborhood at risk of flooding? Here's how to check

Generally a flat area of land adjacent to a river or stream is more prone to flooding during periods of heavy rain. The primary rivers and streams in Indianapolis and the surrounding Marion County are White River, Fall Creek, Eagle Creek, Pleasant Run, Little Eagle Creek, and Pogue's Run.

The City of Indianapolis has this floodplains map, launched in 2015, that is consistently updated to show waterways online at data.indy.gov.

FEMA also has a map where you can see if your area is prone to flooding online at fema.gov/flood-maps. Add your address, click to pinpoint the map and follow the instructions on their map to get a detailed report on your area.

🚨 Indiana Weather Alerts: Warnings, Watches and Advisories.

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. NWS 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.

Indianapolis and Indiana road conditions

Check road conditions, including road closures, crashes and live webcams using Indiana's online Trafficwise map at 511in.org, or visit our gridlock guide page for live traffic cams and more.

INDOT's CARS Program provides information about road conditions, closures and width and weight restrictions. The website has a color-coded map of Indiana's highways and highlights hazardous road conditions and travel delays.

The interactive map also shows road work warnings, closures, roadway restrictions and other information helpful to drivers.

Indianapolis weather radar

Jade Jackson is a Public Safety Reporter for the Indianapolis Star. You can email her at Jade.Jackson@IndyStar.com and follow her on X, formerly Twitter @IAMJADEJACKSON.