'Once in a lifetime' flooding in New Albany transforms Silver Creek's landscape

NEW ALBANY, Ind. (WDRB) — After days of relentless rain, the landscape around Silver Creek in New Albany has completely transformed, with steps leading down to the creek now completely under water as of Wednesday.

The historic flooding unlike anything Floyd County has seen in years.

“We have been watching it every day,” said May Kahafer. “It’s just crazy how fast it’s coming up.”

Under the bridge that carries Old Indiana Highway 62 over the creek, the scene is mesmerizing. The reflection of the structure in the rushing water is almost picture-perfect — but it also tells the story of just how high the water has risen.

“We just keep watching it,” Kahafer said. “I'm like a water rat ... I need to see it all.”

For context, back in August during the New Albany mayor’s emergency maintenance project — when tons of rock were dumped into the creek — you could nearly walk across from one side to the other. Now, those same stairs leading down to the creek are gone, completely under water.

Earlier in the day, water covered parts of the Blackiston Mill Bridge.

"I have never seen it up this high,” said Dave Hood. "Never seen it this high on Blackiston Mill Bridge. It’s a lot ... it’s just a lot."

That iconic bridge is a major marker of the flood's scale. WDRB tried to get a closer look, but had to stop a mile up the road due to closures. There, the water spread across an open field, nearly reaching a streetlight hanging from a utility pole — dangerously close to being submerged.

“It is a once-in-a-lifetime thing,” Hood said.

Hood and his family live nearby and stopped by to take it all in. They weren’t alone, dozens of curious onlookers lined the bridge to see for themselves.

“I was curious what it looked like and how high the water was,” one person said. “We saw where it was a couple of days ago, but it has risen drastically.”

Just weeks ago, on March 14, WDRB stood on the same bridge for a story about safety concerns surrounding it. At that time, water rushed around the low-head dam. Now, the dam is completely submerged — hidden beneath the highest waters many locals said they’ve ever seen.

The good news? The water is slowly starting to recede. But the cleanup is just beginning.

The Clark County Health Department, located on the far side of the creek, is stepping in to help. They’re offering cleanup kits, first aid supplies, and immunizations — including tetanus shots — to those impacted by the flooding.

And that warning is serious: If you’ve come into contact with the floodwaters and your tetanus vaccination is not up to date, officials strongly advise getting one.

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