METAMORA, Ind. — Evacuations and rescue efforts are underway in southeast Indiana, specifically in Fayette County, as floodwaters continue to rise to chest-high levels in some parts of town.
The Laurel Volunteer Fire Department told us Thursday morning that residents were urged to evacuate and shelter at the community center. Jackson Street in Laurel is seriously flooded, with waters "currently chest-deep," the fire department said on social media.
WATCH: Here's what conditions in Laurel were like early Thursday morning
As of 10 a.m., flooding continued in the Franklin County community and first responders said they are continuing to help residents, but many roads are impassable.
Emergency management officials told us that as of 10 a.m., there have been at least 25 water rescues from homes in Laurel.
Fire personnel are out in the town working to rescue anyone in need; anyone who needs assistance can call 911 or contact dispatch, the fire department said.
In Connersville, officials told us that the flood stage for the area is 14 feet, but it had already topped 22 feet within the last 24 hours or so.
The town has seen more than a dozen residents receiving assistance from rapid and flowing waters, but thankfully, there have been no reported injuries or deaths at this time.
One Connersville resident, Barbara Wright, told us the flooding was something she hadn't seen in decades.
WATCH: Connersville residents begin flooding cleanup, brace for more rain
"It just makes you, you know, it just makes you sick," Wright said. "It does. It really does. It makes you sick."
Other communities in southeast Indiana have also dealt with flooding, as rain continued to saturate the Tri-State for days in a row.
On Wednesday night, Metamora Volunteer Fire officials called for people in low-lying areas of Metamora, Cedar Grove, and other areas along the Whitewater River to evacuate as the National Weather Service predicted water levels to rise six feet above flood stage early Thursday morning.
Lt. Andrew Roberts said they had spent the day preparing to respond to water rescues on those who refused to heed the warning.
"If people are used to seeing the river coming up to their yard a little bit, you can expect it to go a lot further, even into their houses," he said.
WATCH: We monitor flood levels around the Whitewater River
Simultaneously, the Friends of Franklin County Animal Shelter spent Wednesday evening evacuating the shelter and finding homes for nine puppies, 22 dogs, four kittens and five cats.
Franklin County Deputy Small Animal Control Officer Tereasa Lang said it isn't as simple as moving the animals to a different location. They have had to find foster homes for each of the animals in case they need to stay out of the shelter for days.
"If there's children or any kind of situation, we just want to make sure that the animals that we send out are going to be in the best situation, as well as the families, in the best situation," she said.
The flood stage was expected to peak at 2:00 a.m. at 23 feet and then slowly recede.
More storms, however, are expected in the Tri-State Thursday afternoon and evening.
