State officials in Indiana report that seven people have died following a series of severe storms that hit the region starting August 11. Hamilton County experienced historic flood levels as the White River reached 24.6 feet on Saturday. This crest surpassed a previous record set in 1913, according to local officials. While water levels are now beginning to recede, authorities warn that the threat of damage remains high.
In Carmel and Noblesville, residents faced significant property damage and mass evacuations. Mayor Sue Finkam noted that 215 properties in Carmel sustained impacts from the rising water, while Noblesville officials confirmed over 500 residential units faced damage. Emergency crews conducted dozens of water rescues throughout the region to move people and pets to safety. The Indianapolis Fire Department alone performed 50 rescues, assisting 91 residents and 45 animals.
Governor Mike Braun declared a state of emergency on Thursday to address the crisis. He confirmed that federal assistance is on the way after coordinating with the president. Beyond the immediate flooding, power grid failures left 150,000 customers without electricity at the peak of the storms on Saturday. The Indiana State Emergency Operations Center continues to monitor the situation as recovery efforts begin.
Deaths occurred across several counties, including Jennings, Delaware, Porter, Lake, and Henry. The youngest victim was a 4-year-old boy in Jennings County, while other fatalities involved adults ranging in age from 19 to 86. Residents are advised to stay alert as ground saturation levels across the Midwest remain high. Additional rainfall in the forecast for the next 24 hours poses a risk of further flash flooding, even as conditions in Hamilton County improve.