Severe storms and flooding in Indiana have claimed at least five lives this week, prompting urgent rescue operations across state. First responders used boats Saturday to reach residents stranded by rising waters in neighborhoods along White River in Indianapolis.
Relentless rainfall has pushed rivers to unprecedented levels, forcing many to flee to higher ground. Over dozen counties declared local disasters,with major damage reported along river corridors from Hamilton County to Indianapolis' northern suburbs.
Governor Mike Braun announced Saturday that President Donald Trump plans to approve federal assistance for recovery efforts. Indianapolis Mayor Joe Hogsett called it the worst flooding in over 30 years,highlighting rapidly changing conditions.
By Saturday afternoon, the Indianapolis Fire Department reported 95 rescues, including 45 pets. Dispatchers fielded hundreds of emergency calls . In Delaware County alone, over 350 evacuations occurred, with a senior mobile home community in Tipton County also cleared out. Rescues and welfare checks continued in Fayette County .
Among the dead: a boy killed by a tree falling on his home,a woman swept away after driving into floodwaters,and a teenager missing after jumping into river Wednesday. Governor Braun offered condolences: "My heart is with 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."
Jacob Spence,director of Marion County Emergency Management,called the flooding a once-in-a-lifetime event,noting,"This is an unprecedented event,and unfortunately we’re setting some new records." National Weather Service said some areas got over 11 inches of rain in just two days .
The White River crested at over 24 feet in Anderson and Noblesville, surpassing records from 1913. While floodwaters receded north of Indianapolis,flash-flood warnings and watches remained in effect for much of central Indiana. Forecasters expected White River to crest Saturday evening in Indianapolis, where National Guard vehicles joined rescue efforts.
Earlier in week,severe storms had already battered Midwest,causing tornadoes,heavy rains and flash flooding from Chicago area to western Pennsylvania. Some Indiana residents remained without power as damage assessments continued.
Videos on social media showed submerged homes,stranded vehicles,and roads washed away by rushing waters. Saturday morning,ominous clouds hung over Noblesville,where river had reached its historic crest the night before. Homes stood in water,parking lots flooded,and cornfields soaked .
Despite the devastation, Noblesville's historic covered bridge, Potter’s Bridge, stayed intact. City photographer Matt Doudt, documenting the aftermath, remarked,"This is crazy for all of us." He pointed out grassy area usually hosting farmers' markets and concerts, now underwater. Doudt noted Noblesville itself didn't get much rain recently; flooding came from upstream downpours sending surge downstream.
