At least five people have died as a result of a severe storm system that impacted Indiana this week, according to state officials. On Saturday, continuous flooding burdens communities and strains emergency services throughout the state.
Governor Mike Braun reported that he discussed the situation with President Donald Trump and mentioned that an expedited FEMA emergency declaration is in progress. ‘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,’ Braun stated on Saturday. He urged residents to take flooding seriously and avoid floodwaters.
In the Ravenwood neighborhood of Indianapolis, floodwaters swallowed streets and surrounded homes. Cars were submerged, and water reached the front doors of many homes. Residents moved through the neighborhood using kayaks and rowboats, as captured by drone footage from NBC News. Although Indianapolis didn’t receive the most rainfall, floodwaters from other areas with 6 to nearly 12 inches of rain flowed into the city.
Emergency services rescued more than 90 people and their pets along the White River in Indianapolis. Authorities in central Indiana confronted what many describe as historic flooding. The damage largely concentrated along the river corridor from Hamilton County to the northern suburbs of Indianapolis.
In Delaware County, a 58-year-old woman was found dead after attempting to drive through floodwaters, according to sheriff’s deputies. Indianapolis Mayor Joe Hogsett, along with emergency managers, urged residents near the river to evacuate during a briefing on Saturday. A local emergency was declared the previous day due to swelled creeks and streams across central Indiana.
Jacob Spence, director of Marion County Emergency Management, stated, ‘This is one of those once-in-a-lifetime type floods.’ He described the event as unprecedented, setting new records.
The National Weather Service indicated that over a two-day span, some areas received more than 11 inches (28 centimeters) of rain. The White River’s water levels rose to over 24 feet (7.32 meters) in Anderson and Noblesville, breaking records from 1913. Flash flood warnings and watches were issued across central Indiana as forecasters predicted more showers and thunderstorms. In Warren County, forecasters recorded two inches of rain in six hours.
Videos shared on social media revealed vehicles stuck in high water, a toppled power pole, and flooded intersections. Rescue efforts in Indianapolis involved National Guard vehicles. Indianapolis Fire Department spokesperson Rita Reith noted that as of early afternoon, 91 people and 45 pets had been rescued. Todd Wilson, director of public works, cautioned residents to heed warnings, as water levels continued to rise.
Early this week, severe storms also impacted other Midwest regions. Tornadoes, heavy rain, and flash flooding were reported, affecting areas from Chicago to western Pennsylvania.