West Fork Whitewater River near Alpine

1. 22.00 ftThis stage will exceeds the FEMA 1 percent flood. Flooding occurs along the river in southern Fayette and northern Franklin Counties, including in Connersville, Alpine, Nulltown and Laurel. In Connersville, homes between Dora Avenue and the river on the east side of Connersville flood, as well as along Grand Avenue on the south side. Structures flooded in Laurel are mainly along and east of North Franklin Street, with homes south of Commerce Street also flooded.
2. 19.00 ftThis is similar to the FEMA 1 percent flood. Flooding occurs along the West Fork of the Whitewater in southern Fayette and northern Franklin Counties, including in Alpine, Nulltown and Laurel. In Connersville, homes between Dora Avenue and the river on the east side of Connersville incur flooding, as well as along Grand Avenue in the south side of Connersville. Structures impacted in Laurel are mainly along and west of West South Street.
3. 18.00 ftFlooding impacts structures in especially the south side of Connersville, as well as Laurel in Franklin county. Flooding becomes widespread through other low areas, including near Alpine and Nulltown. In Connersville, properties between Dora Avenue and the river on the east side of Connersville incur flooding, as well as along Grand Avenue in the south side of Connersville. Properties impacted in Laurel are mainly along and west of West South Street.
4. 17.00 ftWater extends well outside of the river banks with water on county roads from Alpine to Nulltown.
5. 15.50 ftFlood water encroaches toward county roads, and flooding of low-lying agricultural land continues in Fayette and northern Franklin Counties.
6. 14.00 ftFlooding of low-lying agricultural land can be expected in southern Fayette County, with water over some county roads close to the river.

Chance of flooding, September to November

The three-month chances are the River Forecast Centers’ long-range flood outlook, issued September 22, 2026.

Most recent crests

• August 13, 2026: 21.78 ft
• April 6, 2025: 16.80 ft
• June 11, 1998: 15.20 ft
• May 4, 1996: 14.20 ft
• January 19, 1996: 14.78 ft
• May 17, 1995: 12.86 ft
• May 13, 1990: 14.93 ft
• February 16, 1990: 16.75 ft
• May 24, 1968: 15.81 ft
• March 5, 1963: 16.47 ft

• UpstreamWhitewater River at Economy
• DownstreamWhitewater River at Brookville
• East Fork Whitewater River at Brookville Lake
• East Fork Whitewater River at Abington
• Flatrock River at Raleigh
• Flatrock River at Rushville
• East Fork Whitewater River at Richmond
• Big Blue River (IN) at Carthage
• Sevenmile Creek at Camden

Forecasts by the Ohio River Forecast Center. Forecasts are issued as needed during times of high water, but are not routinely available. Stage may be affected by ice. River Forecasts typically include ONLY 2 days of future rain from <u>forecast issuance time</u> (lower right of graph). Occasionally 3 days of future rain included. NOTE: The HEFS forecast at this location has the Ensemble Post-processor enabled; see <a href='https://docs.google.com/document/d/1swCsRn3T8mwDEsRrI72Jum7DZQFPkzxc83iNCVfe4gk/edit?tab=t.0#heading=h.gjdgxs'>here </a> for more information.

Stage, flood stages, impacts and crest history from NOAA’s National Water Prediction Service. Streamflow and the daily record from the U.S. Geological Survey.