Flooding destroys Carmel bridge; sewage threat looms for White River
Aug 18, 2026
CARMEL, Ind. Carmel officials are warning a wastewater main could break and send raw sewage into the White River after historic flooding caused a bridge collapse on Hazel Dell Parkway.WATCH FULL STORY BELOW:City workers are ass
essing massive damage after a section of the Hazel Dell Parkway bridge completely collapsed. Whats left of the bridge is sitting in two pieces with water still flowing underneath.Drinking water safe, city saysCity officials said Carmels drinking water system remains 100% safe and fully operational, with no boil water advisory in effect.Members of the public are strictly advised to avoid the 106th Street and Hazel Dell Parkway corridor.41 homes evacuated, headcut advancingMayor Sue Finkam said 41 homes remain without power and evacuated after the flooding.A headcut near Blue Woods Creek continues to push closer to the White River. Officials put the chance of a sudden, high-velocity breakthrough at about 70-75%.As that flow has gone down this creek, it is now eroding the creek bed back toward the river, which is making that channel deeper and deeper, Finkam said. The problem with that is it may create a new low spot in the river where river water will flood at a much greater velocity into the quarry.Officials say the Hazel Dell Parkway bridge needs total replacement.The Federal Emergency Management Agency is expected within days.
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