At least five people have died in Indiana following severe flooding described by authorities as the worst the state has seen in approximately 30 years. As storms persisted into Saturday, first responders continued to navigate rising waters in neighborhoods along the White River in Indianapolis using boats to conduct rescues.
The National Weather Service reported that certain areas experienced more than 11 inches of rain over a two-day span. The White River reached levels exceeding 24 feet in Anderson and Noblesville, surpassing historical records established in 1913. The intensity of the deluge has impacted regions not historically prone to flooding, stretching the resources of local emergency services to their limits.
In Delaware County, sheriff’s deputies recovered the body of a 58-year-old woman on Friday, believed to have perished while attempting to drive through floodwaters. A teenager was also recovered after being reported missing on Wednesday when he jumped into a river. Earlier in the week, a four-year-old boy lost his life in Jennings County after a tree collapsed onto his home.
Indianapolis Mayor Joe Hogsett and other officials have urged residents in high-risk zones to strictly follow evacuation orders. During a briefing, Jerry Martin, deputy chief of the Indianapolis fire department, warned of the lethal nature of the water, noting that as little as six inches can stall a vehicle, eight inches can move one off the road, and three inches can knock a person off their feet. Todd Wilson, the city’s public works director, added that water levels were expected to continue rising throughout the day.
As of Saturday afternoon, approximately 150,000 residents were without power. Evacuation efforts are widespread, with about 400 people leaving their homes in northern Indianapolis, more than 350 in Delaware County, and an entire senior mobile home community in Tipton County being cleared. Indianapolis fire department spokesperson Rita Reith confirmed that 95 people and 45 pets had been rescued by late Saturday afternoon, while dispatchers continued to manage hundreds of calls for assistance.
Governor Mike Braun confirmed on Saturday that Donald Trump intends to approve a request for federal resources to assist with the state's recovery efforts. Flash flood warnings remain in effect for northern Marion County and north-eastern Hendricks County, with ongoing welfare checks and rescue operations reported in Fayette County.
