INDIANAPOLIS, IN — At least five people have died in Indiana after days of severe storms and flooding, while crews in Indianapolis used boats Saturday to reach people trapped by rising water near the White River.
Officials said heavy rain has pushed rivers to record levels across the state, forced evacuations in multiple counties and left more than a dozen counties under local disaster declarations.
Indianapolis faces its most serious flooding in decades
Indianapolis Mayor Joe Hogsett said the city was seeing its worst flooding in more than 30 years as conditions changed quickly in neighborhoods between the river and nearby canals.
Hundreds of homes were evacuated Saturday, and the Indianapolis Fire Department said by late afternoon it had rescued 95 people and 45 pets. Dispatchers received hundreds of calls during the day.
Deaths reported across the state as evacuations spread
State officials said the deaths included a boy killed when a tree fell on his home, a woman swept away after driving into floodwaters and a teen who disappeared after jumping into a river Wednesday.
Evacuations also continued outside Marion County, including more than 350 in Delaware County and residents of a senior mobile home community in Tipton County. Welfare checks and rescues were also underway in Fayette County.
Record rain and river crests fuel the emergency response
The National Weather Service said some areas received more than 11 inches of rain over two days. In Anderson and Noblesville, the White River rose above 24 feet, breaking a record that had stood since 1913.
Flash-flood warnings and watches remained in place across central Indiana Saturday, even as water began to recede in some communities north of Indianapolis. National Guard vehicles were among the responders assisting with rescue operations.
Federal disaster aid is now available to Indiana
The Federal Emergency Management Agency said federal disaster assistance is available after President Donald Trump approved an emergency declaration for the state.
Local officials described the flooding as unprecedented, while residents shared videos of submerged homes, stranded vehicles, washed-out roads and other damage from across the region.
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