Rising Patoka River, creeks force closures of multiple Dubois County roads

Rising water from the Patoka River and a cluster of tributaries forced closures on multiple Dubois County roads, the Dubois County Highway Department reported March 6, 2026. County officials said the Straight River, Ell Creek, Bruner Creek and Little Flat Creek, along with other creeks and low-lying areas, have produced high water that already impacts travel across the county.

The Highway Department published a location-by-location list identifying affected spots and closures, asking residents to consult that list for specific road names and conditions. That list is the county’s compiled record of which county roads are closed or impacted by flooding from the Patoka River and the named creeks, and it is the primary source the department provided to local officials and emergency responders.

County roads adjacent to the Patoka River and the Straight River are among those listed as impacted, with additional closures in low-lying corridors where Ell Creek, Bruner Creek and Little Flat Creek overflow their banks. The combined rise in those waterways has produced localized inundation rather than a single, uniform floodplain, according to the Highway Department’s report, which separates closures by location.

Motorists and commercial drivers who travel Dubois County roads that run near the Patoka River or any of the listed creeks should check the county’s location-by-location list before driving. The Highway Department’s compilation outlines which county routes are impassable due to water and which low-lying areas are affected, enabling residents to plan alternate routes around the Straight River, Ell Creek, Bruner Creek and Little Flat Creek crossings.

Local agencies coordinating road safety are relying on the Highway Department’s published list to prioritize equipment and responses for county roads impacted by rising water from the Patoka River and the tributaries. For the most current closure information and location-by-location details, consult the Dubois County Highway Department’s published list before traveling on county roads near the Patoka River, the Straight River, Ell Creek, Bruner Creek or Little Flat Creek.