The Associated Press

LAFAYETTE, Ind. - Much of Indiana remained drenched Sunday following thunderstorms that bloated rivers, flooded roads and temporarily isolated an upscale subdivision in West Lafayette.

The Capilano subdivision became a sort of Hoosier Venice on Saturday after the Lafayette region received more than seven inches of rain in 48 hours, leaving four feet of water covering its streets.

A Tippecanoe County rescue team used a boat to evacuate one family and check on others' well-being before a contractor made a temporary gravel road to ensure emergency access to the subdivision, the Journal and Courier reported.

In Lafayette, another family was evacuated when water caused the foundation of their home to collapse, said county Emergency Management Director Steve Wettschurack. Red Cross officials said they placed four to five families in hotels after their homes were flooded.

In nearby Benton County, officials ordered residents to stay off the roads except in emergencies. Randy Kitterman, the county's emergency management director, said some roads were under water several feet deep and rushing rivers and creeks could make bridges unsafe.

Earl Park, about 30 miles northwest of Lafayette, received about 3 inches of rain in one hour, Kitterman said, citing a National Weather Service estimate.

"Most of the county is under water," he said.

The National Weather Service lifted a flood watch Sunday for several counties across the middle band of the state and forecast only scattered rain. But a few hours later, it issued new flood warnings for Miami and Cass counties in northern Indiana as heavy thunderstorms moved through the Logansport area.

Not everyone heeded warnings to stay clear of flood waters.

Tippecanoe County sheriff's deputies arrested a rural Lafayette man on a neglect charge after he took his 5-year-old son for a raft ride on rain-swollen Wea Creek.

Charles Marlin said he grabbed his son, Jarmon, and swam to the bank when the raft struck a branch and capsized. Marlin said the strength of the current surprised him.