Watch: Flash flood swarms Indiana school, fills basement in torrent of water

DUBOIS, Ind. -- Dramatic video released from a school in southwestern Indiana Wednesday highlights the dangers of flash floods.

Heavy rains rolled into the Dubois area at 5:20 p.m. on Aug. 30, according to the video released by the Northeast Dubois County School Corporation.

Water first began gathering behind the school and playing fields, but a few minutes later, water came bursting through some of the doors, quickly flooding the kitchen as it knocked over large shelves.  Water spread into the cafeteria, pouring through doors and vents as garbage cans began to float and desks eventually overturned.

But the most chilling video shows a basement reading room that first flooded with a few inches of water until basement doors gave way, unleashing a massive wall of water that quickly consumed the room. 

Just 30 seconds later, raging floodwaters have filled the room about halfway as more water continues to stream in.  At 2 minutes past, water has filled about 3/4ths of the large basement. At seven minutes past, the water has covered the door and has nearly reached the ceiling.

The video illustrates just how fast a flash flood can consume a room. In early September, dozens of people died in the New York City and New Jersey area when flash floods filled basement apartments, trapping residents inside.

Eventually, the storm passes, and the water recedes outside, allowing a reversal of flow and water draining back outside the building.

Luckily there were no reports of any injuries as the incident happened when no one was at the building.

Spotter reports recorded over 2 inches of rain on that day in the general area, but this storm may have locally produced even heavier totals.