On Thursday at 9:01 p.m. a flash flood warning was issued by the National Weather Service in effect until 10:30 p.m. for Indiana County.

“At 9:01 p.m., Doppler radar indicated thunderstorms producing heavy rain across the warned area. Between 1 and 1.5 inches of rain have fallen. Additional rainfall amounts of 1 to 2 inches are possible in the warned area. Flash flooding is ongoing or expected to begin shortly,” explains the weather service. “Flash flooding of small creeks and streams, urban areas, highways, streets and underpasses as well as other poor drainage and low-lying areas.”

Locations impacted by the warning include Indiana, Clymer, Chevy Chase Heights, Lucerne Mines, Brush Vly and Yellow Creek State Park.

According to the weather service, “Turn around, don’t drown when encountering flooded roads. Most flood deaths occur in vehicles. Be aware of your surroundings and do not drive on flooded roads. In hilly terrain there are hundreds of low water crossings which are potentially dangerous in heavy rain. Do not attempt to cross flooded roads. Find an alternate route.”

Deciphering advisories, watches, and warnings: Understanding weather alerts

• Flash flood warning: Take action!

A flash flood warning is issued when a flash flood is imminent or occurring. If you are in a flood-prone area, move immediately to high ground. A flash flood is a sudden violent flood that can take from minutes to hours to develop. It is even possible to experience a flash flood in areas not immediately receiving rain.

• Flood warning: Take action!

A flood warning is declared when flooding is on the verge of happening or is already underway.

• Flood advisory: Be aware:

A flood advisory is released when flooding is not expected to reach a severity level necessitating a warning. Nonetheless, it can still cause considerable inconvenience and, without exercising caution, potentially lead to situations that threaten life and/or property.

• Flood watch: Be prepared:

A flood watch is issued when conditions are favorable for flooding. It does not mean flooding will occur, but it is possible.

Weather service flood safety guidelines: Weathering the storm

In flood-prone regions or while camping in low-lying areas, understanding and following the weather service flood safety guidelines can be a lifesaver:

Seek higher ground:

If you’re in a flood-prone area, or if you’re camping in a low-lying spot, move to higher ground as a first step.

Adhere to evacuation orders:

When local authorities issue an evacuation order, promptly comply. Before leaving, secure your home by locking it.

Disconnect utilities and appliances:

If time allows, disconnect your utilities and appliances. This reduces the risk of electrical hazards during flooding.

Steer clear of flooded basements and submerged areas:

Steer clear of basements or rooms where water has submerged electrical outlets or cords. This helps prevent electrical accidents.

Evacuate promptly for safety:

If you notice sparks or hear buzzing, crackling, snapping, or popping sounds, evacuate without delay. Do not enter water that may carry an electrical charge.

Stay away from floodwaters:

Never attempt to walk through floodwaters, even if they appear shallow. Just 6 inches of fast-moving water can forcefully sweep you off your feet.

Seek higher ground when trapped:

Should you become trapped by moving water, reach the highest point possible and dial 911 to contact emergency services.

During heavy rainfall, the risk of flooding is heightened, especially in low-lying and flood-prone regions. Always remember never to drive through water on the road, no matter how shallow it appears. According to the weather service, as little as 12 inches of rapidly flowing water can carry away most vehicles. Stay safe by being prepared and informed.

Navigating heavy rain: Essential safety measures for wet roads

Rain can turn roads into hazards. Stay informed and follow these weather service tips to ensure safety during heavy rainfall:

Beware of swollen waterways:

In heavy rain, refrain from parking or walking near culverts or drainage ditches, where swift-moving water can pose a grave danger.

Maintain safe driving distances:

Adhere to the two-second rule for maintaining a safe following distance behind the vehicle in front of you. In heavy rain, allow an additional two seconds of distance to compensate for reduced traction and braking effectiveness.

Reduce speed and drive cautiously:

On wet roads, reducing your speed is crucial. Ease off the gas pedal gradually and avoid abrupt braking to prevent skidding.

Choose your lane wisely:

Stick to the middle lanes on multi-lane roads to minimize the risk of hydroplaning, as water tends to accumulate in outer lanes.

Prioritize visibility:

Enhance your visibility in heavy rain by turning on your headlights. Watch out for vehicles in blind spots, as rain-smeared windows can obscure them.

Watch out for slippery roads:

The initial half-hour of rain is when roads are slickest due to a mixture of rain, grime, and oil. Exercise heightened caution during this period.

Keep a safe distance from large vehicles:

Large trucks and buses can reduce your visibility with tire spray. Avoid tailgating and pass them swiftly and safely.

Mind your windshield wipers:

• Overloaded wiper blades can hinder visibility. If rain severely impairs your vision, pull over and wait for conditions to improve. Seek refuge at rest areas or sheltered spots.
• When stopping by the roadside is your only option, position your vehicle as far off the road as possible, ideally beyond guardrails. Keep your headlights on and activate emergency flashers to alert other drivers of your position.

In the face of heavy rain, these precautions can make a significant difference in ensuring your safety on the road. Remember to stay informed about weather conditions and heed guidance from local authorities for a secure journey.

Advance Local Weather Alerts is a service provided by United Robots, which uses machine learning to compile the latest data from the National Weather Service.

Clark and Boston dominated the fan voting, finishing first and second overall. That put them in the top 10 of the overall voting. The league’s head coaches decided the rest of the roster, and they chose to put Mitchell in the game. Indiana players will occupy a quarter of Team WNBA and an eighth of the players across both Team WNBA and Team USA.

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It’s the first time the Fever have had three All-Stars since 2007, when Tamika Catchings, Tammy Sutton-Brown and Anna DeForge all made the squad. That season, Indiana finished 21-13. Two years later, the Fever reached the WNBA Finals for the first time in franchise history. Catchings and Sutton-Brown were still terrific talents in 2009.

“It’s crazy. It’s awesome to have three All-Stars for the Indiana Fever this year. So proud for them, so proud for them, so proud for our organization,” head coach Christie Sides told reporters on Tuesday night. “These guys deserve it. They’ve been working hard [and] keep getting better. [It] just shows the future and what that looks like for the Indiana Fever.”

Clark is averaging 16.0 points and 7.1 assists per game this season. Mitchell leads Indiana with 16.6 points per game while Boston adds 13.3, and Boston contributes 8.1 rebounds per game as well. They are all tremendous talents, and the Fever have their strongest base in nearly a decade.

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Indiana won 13 games in both 2019 and 2023 (Boston’s rookie season). In 2019, the team was headlined by an interesting mix of veterans and younger players, including Mitchell, Candice Dupree and Teaira McCowan. But the Fever’s winning percentage dropped in three straight seasons after that 2019 campaign.

That doesn’t project to be the case this time around. The Fever are on pace to win at least 15 games this year, which would be their most since 2016. Fittingly, that was the franchise’s last playoff berth. Indiana hopes to make it again, and having three All-Stars gives the franchise the base to eventually get there.

“I think it’s special,” Boston said. “I think it just goes to show the talent of this team.”

Accolades can be noteworthy and life-changing. Mitchell is now a two-time All-Star, but it was hard for her to be left off the team two years ago. It matters to be named to Team WNBA, for her individually and for the franchise.

“[It’s a] really, really big thing for our franchise,” Mitchell said. She said it also shows what the players aspire to be as individuals: “Any great competitor has an All-Star somewhere down their list.”

Boston was a rookie All-Star last year, and Clark is one this year. That’s rare. Chicago Sky forward Angel Reese was named a 2024 All-Star, too, marking the first time in a decade that two rookies have been All-Stars in the same season, per Across The Timeline.

All three Fever All-Stars know they can get better, too. Indiana is a young group that is still finding its way and only recently started gelling.

Mitchell started the season slowly and was dealing with an ankle injury. In her last 11 games, she is averaging 18.5 points per game while shooting 49.7% from the field and 47.8% from deep. Clark has adapted her game to the WNBA after seeing different and tricky coverages early on. Boston, by her own admission, had a rough start to the season, but she’s averaging 16.6 points and 10.3 rebounds across her last 10 games.

Stathead Stat of the Week

The New York Liberty have started the season 16-3. They’re the 14th team in WNBA history to start off 16-3 or better. Of the first 13, 11 went on to win the title.

Stathead is your all-access pass to the Basketball and College Basketball Reference databases. Our discovery tools are built for women’s basketball fans like you. Answer your questions in a matter of seconds.

That trio is ready for more. They have all gotten better as the season has progressed, and now they are All-Stars. Mitchell has proven she belongs with the best of the best after years of steady improvement. Boston and Clark are two of the league’s top young talents.

“It’s fun. It’s cool, obviously, for myself to accomplish this in my rookie year,” Clark said before noting it’s big for the franchise. “Me and [Aliyah], Year 1 and Year 2 … that’s pretty exciting.”

The Indiana Fever still have to build in order to turn a roster with three All-Stars into a contender. Just ask the Atlanta Dream, which had three All-Stars in 2023 but aren’t in form this year. But having young talent provides an excellent base, and as the Fever try to grow into a contender, the 2024 All-Star Game will be a turning point toward their goals.

U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) has approved a proposal from Ports of Indiana-Burns Harbor to establish the first international sea cargo container terminal on Lake Michigan.

This is slated to create the only all-water container route for ocean vessels to serve the greater Chicago metropolitan area via the Great Lakes.

The Burns Harbor terminal is located in northwest Indiana, inside the Greater Chicago Metropolitan Area and within sight of the Chicago skyline. It is part of the 25th largest US port, which handles 25 million tonnes of cargo annually and generates $16.6 billion in annual economic impact.

The Chicago metropolitan area is the third largest in the US with a population of 9.6 million people and is home to the largest intermodal container market in North America. Currently, all containers moving through the Chicago market travel by rail or truck.

READ: Port of Seattle requires 100 per cent of cruise vessels to use shore power

Ports of Indiana received approval from CBP for a staffed container cargo examination facility at Burns Harbor port. They will be responsible for constructing the facility, expected to be completed in 2025.

The Ports of Indiana Commission recently approved a resolution establishing “The Indiana Container Initiative” formalising the organisation’s commitment to vigorously pursue the development of container shipping facilities at its ports and other locations in Indiana.

Among US Great Lakes ports, Cleveland and Duluth currently handle container vessels, while Monroe, Mich., is also pursuing CBP approval. Adding Burns Harbor to the list of Great Lakes container ports would allow shippers to utilise a network of container terminals which now includes the largest metropolitan area on the Lakes.

READ: Port Houston witnesses 21 per cent growth in May

In support of this effort, Ports of Indiana has already garnered Memorandums of Understanding (MoU) from potential partners as well as letters of support from other Great Lakes ports and more than 35 government officials, businesses and trade associations.

As facility planning commences, Ports of Indiana officials are seeking potential partners and customers to advance the project and will be engaging in a few select partnerships to formalise the initial development plans, quantify volumes and develop a scalable terminal that is appropriately sized to meet current and future demands.

“This is a critical step in a long process to establish a container terminal at Ports of Indiana-Burns Harbor and a new supply chain for international container shipments,” said Ports of Indiana CEO Jody Peacock.

“Having an all-water container route into the Midwest could create transformational opportunities, but it will take time to develop. Our port has the capabilities to handle containers today, but we won’t be able to schedule regular container shipments until the Customs’ facilities are fully operational, potentially in 2026.”

READ: Port NOLA records significant growth in intermodal rail volumes

“This new venture comes with major challenges and major opportunities, but our Ports of Indiana team has made this a top priority because we believe it is critical to providing Indiana with a modern port system,” said Ryan McCoy, Port Director at Ports of Indiana-Burns Harbor.

“Great Lakes shipping is limited by a shorter shipping season and the use of smaller vessels, but the potential upside for handling containers is tremendous. Allowing ocean carriers to start serving this market could diversify supply chains, avoid bottlenecks and reduce the overall carbon footprint for shipping to and from the Midwest.”

Last month, the Alabama Port Authority announced its application for a federal grant to launch a major emissions reduction effort at port facilities.