At Least 6 Dead as Historic Flooding Devastates Indiana
At least six people have died as severe storms and historic flooding swept across Indiana this week, according to the Indiana Department of Homeland Security and state officials. The disaster prompted President Donald Trump to approve an emergency declaration for the state, freeing up federal resources as first responders continue rescue operations along the White River in Indianapolis. AP News reported that more than a dozen counties have declared local disasters, with much of the damage concentrated along river corridors from Hamilton County into the northern Indianapolis suburbs.
A Week of Unrelenting Severe Weather
The crisis began on August 11 when a derecho — a prolonged straight-line windstorm — developed over eastern Iowa and swept through Illinois and northern Indiana with winds reaching 99 mph in Gary. The storm was part of a broader severe weather outbreak that affected areas from the Chicago region to western Pennsylvania, spawning at least six tornadoes and leaving more than a million customers without power. CBS News reported that the derecho was followed by multiple rounds of thunderstorms and heavy rainfall that stalled over central Indiana.
A frontal boundary that was unable to move due to a heat dome in the southern United States, combined with moisture from a high-pressure system in the Gulf, fueled the relentless storms. The National Weather Service reported that more than 11 inches of rain fell over a two-day period in some areas, with the highest total reaching 11.50 inches near New Lisbon in Henry County. NBC News described the resulting flooding as “historic,” with murky floodwaters swallowing streets and surrounding homes in Indianapolis neighborhoods.
Record-Breaking River Crests
The White River reached levels not seen in more than a century. At Anderson, the river crested at 24.93 feet on August 14, breaking the previous record of 23.6 feet set in 1913. At Noblesville, the river reached 24.6 feet, also surpassing the record level of 23.8 feet. The Watchers reported that the National Weather Service described flooding in portions of central Indiana as “catastrophic,” with major flooding occurring at Noblesville and Nora and extensive flooding around the Ravenswood area near Indianapolis.
Indianapolis Mayor Joe Hogsett said the city was experiencing its most severe flooding in more than 30 years. Jacob Spence, director of Marion County Emergency Management, called it a once-in-a-lifetime event.
“This is one of those once-in-a-lifetime type floods,” Spence told the Associated Press. “So yeah, this is an unprecedented event and unfortunately we’re setting some new records.”
Confirmed Fatalities
The confirmed deaths include a 4-year-old boy killed in Jennings County when a tree fell on his home during Tuesday’s storms, and Stephanie Jo Sallie, 59, of Delaware County, whose vehicle was swept off the road by floodwaters more than 3 feet deep. Her body was found in a cornfield near Yorktown on Friday. WRTV also reported the recovery of 18-year-old Matthew Morey, an incoming Purdue University freshman who went missing after entering the Mississinewa River with three others on Wednesday. His body was recovered from the river on Saturday, within 200 yards of the bridge where he disappeared.
Other storm-related deaths include a 58-year-old woman in Lake County, an 86-year-old woman in Porter County, and a man in LaPorte County, according to the Indiana Department of Homeland Security.
Governor Mike Braun expressed condolences in a statement issued Saturday: “My heart is with the families and loved ones of the five Hoosiers we have lost and every family whose life has been changed by these storms. Please continue to take flooding seriously and stay away from floodwaters.”
Emergency Response and Rescues
Governor Braun declared a Statewide Disaster Emergency on Thursday and mobilized the Indiana National Guard. WSBT reported that the declaration mobilized state agencies and emergency resources to support local response and recovery efforts. The governor also authorized National Guard support in Gary, Munster, and Hobart.
On Saturday, President Trump approved an emergency declaration for Indiana, freeing up to $5 million in federal resources. NPR reported that FEMA disaster assistance was made available to supplement state, tribal, and local response operations.
The Indianapolis Fire Department rescued 95 people and 45 pets as of late afternoon Saturday, according to spokesperson Rita Reith. Dispatchers had received hundreds of calls for service throughout the day. More than 350 evacuations occurred in Delaware County, and a senior mobile home community in Tipton County was being evacuated. Approximately 400 people evacuated parts of northern Indianapolis on their own.
“The water is still rising, so heed the warnings,” said Todd Wilson, director of Indianapolis Public Works.
Community Impact and Personal Stories
The flooding has devastated communities across central Indiana. In Anderson, resident Charlie Simmons said he had just finished rebuilding his home after a previous flood.
“I’ve been working on it for about the last year,” he told CBS News. “I got in a couple months ago. Now it’s destroyed.”
In Noblesville, city photographer Matt Doudt described the scene as the river marked its historic crest: “This is crazy for all of us.” The community’s historic covered bridge — Potter’s Bridge — was still standing, but homes were left in water, parking lots were flooded, and corn fields were saturated.
“We have a lot of damage,” Doudt said. “But we didn’t lose any lives and everybody got rescued and our city is taking care of people pretty well.”
The Yorktown Public Library in Delaware County was among the buildings severely impacted, with approximately one foot of floodwater throughout the building. “Seeing our library in this state yesterday was nothing short of devastating,” the library posted on Facebook. “We’re definitely all feeling a little heartbroken.”
The storm system also affected neighboring states. In Ohio, Governor Mike DeWine called the flooding “stunning” and “the worst” the affected communities had experienced. AP News reported that Dayton set a daily rainfall record with 2.07 inches, shattering a mark set in 1915, and lightning struck a prison complex southwest of Cleveland, injuring 16 incarcerated people.
What’s Next
Forecasters expected the White River to crest Saturday evening in the Indianapolis area, where National Guard vehicles were among those helping with rescue efforts. Flash-flood warnings and watches remained in place across a swath of central Indiana, and the National Weather Service warned that more showers and thunderstorms could move into the area.
As floodwaters slowly recede in upstream communities like Noblesville, the focus is shifting to recovery and assessing the full extent of the damage. The Whitewater Valley Railroad estimated repair costs in the millions, and the full economic impact across the region is expected to be substantial.
For residents like Cyndee Gillmore of New Castle, who runs a campground and retreat center that was flooded with 5 feet of water, the road ahead is uncertain. “My heart breaks,” she told NPR. “Nobody has the money to fix all of this. I don’t know how people will make it.”
Governor Braun said the state response remains fully mobilized: “Our state response is fully mobilized, resources are moving where they’re needed, and we will continue working around the clock to support every impacted community.”