At least five people have died in Indiana due to storms causing what officials call historic flooding. According to Governor Mike Braun, several dozen individuals and their pets were rescued as floodwaters rose along the White River in Indianapolis. Emergency managers expect this number to increase as local authorities address the flood threats in central Indiana.
“This is one of those once-in-a-lifetime type floods,” stated Jacob Spence, director of Marion County Emergency Management. The flooding has set new records and resulted in serious devastation across the region.
Indianapolis Mayor Joe Hogsett, alongside emergency managers, held a briefing urging residents along the river to evacuate. A local emergency declaration was made on Friday due to heavy rains that caused creeks and streams throughout central Indiana to swell significantly.
Some rivers exceeded records set over a century ago. The aerial damage is concentrated along the river corridor from Hamilton County into northern Indianapolis suburbs. In Delaware County, the body of a 58-year-old woman was found after she attempted to drive through floodwaters.
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,”said Governor Braun. He urged residents to take the threat seriously and keep away from floodwaters.
The Delaware County Sheriff’s Office also reported the body of 18-year-old Matthew Morey was discovered. He went missing after entering the Mississinewa River with friends. The Sheriff’s office expressed their condolences, acknowledging the deep pain of his loss.
The Yorktown Public Library reported significant flood damage. A video on their Facebook page showed the library submerged under about one-foot of water. The library expressed gratitude for the help offered and mentioned that the water had receded by Saturday morning.
Governor Braun confirmed he discussed the situation with President Trump, who approved an emergency declaration to provide up to $5 million in federal resources for response and recovery efforts.
Flash flood warnings and watches were issued across central Indiana, with forecasters warning of more rain. In Warren County, 2 inches of rain fell in six hours. The White River crested near 25 feet in Anderson, exceeding the record set in 1913.
Rescue efforts led by the National Guard in Indianapolis have saved an estimated 70 people. “The water is still rising, so heed the warnings,” said Todd Wilson, director of the city’s public works department.
Social media videos show vehicles stranded in floodwaters and other significant damage. Earlier this week, storms also affected parts of the Midwest, causing tornadoes and heavy rainfall from Chicago to western Pennsylvania.