INDIANAPOLIS, INDIANA / RankWire.AI / – Severe weather and historic flooding have claimed at least seven lives in Indiana. Prolonged heavy rainfall caused rivers to overflow their banks, leading to widespread damage to roads, residences, and infrastructure. On Sunday, state public safety officials confirmed the updated death toll as floodwaters receded in several severely affected areas. The storm system began on August 11, bringing multiple rounds of intense rain across central and southern Indiana.
Among the deceased were a 4-year-old boy, three men, and three women, according to state emergency authorities. The fatalities occurred across Delaware, Jennings, Lake, Porter, LaPorte, and Henry counties. Delaware County reported two deaths, with each of the other counties noting one. The latest victim confirmed Sunday was a 31-year-old cyclist, found in a collapsed section of road caused by flooding in Henry County.
National Weather Service reported that certain regions received over a foot of rain during this multi-day event. The White River reached levels not observed in over a century. New river crests were recorded in Anderson and Noblesville, surpassing those set in 1913. At Nora, the river reached its highest point since that year. Indianapolis officials described the flooding as the city’s most severe in more than 30 years.
Historic flooding triggers evacuation efforts across Indiana
Emergency responders carried out hundreds of evacuations as rising waters inundated neighborhoods and caused road closures throughout the state. Rescuers used boats to reach residents stranded by quickly advancing floodwaters. In Noblesville, authorities said approximately 170 residents evacuated over a three-day span. The flooding impacted over 550 residential units in the area. Indianapolis also opened emergency shelters, while crews conducted water rescues and monitored neighborhoods along the White River.
Power outages were widespread during the storms, with nearly 130,000 utility customers still without electricity late Sunday—down from a peak of about 300,000 during the worst of the weather. Floodwaters damaged or washed out roads and affected bridges in multiple communities. Indianapolis reopened city floodgates Sunday after the White River peaked and started to recede. Local officials continued assessing damages to neighborhoods, infrastructure, and properties affected by the flooding.
Federal aid authorized following statewide disaster declaration
Governor Mike Braun declared a statewide emergency due to the disaster and deployed additional state resources to respond to the severe weather. President Donald Trump approved an emergency declaration after Indiana requested federal help. This allows the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) to assist with response efforts at the state, tribal, and local levels. Emergency support covers essential work to protect lives, public health, safety, and property in the affected regions.
By late Sunday, conditions along the rivers showed signs of improvement from their peak levels, yet flooding persisted in parts of central Indiana. Federal weather officials indicated that major flooding along the White River had subsided to a moderate flood stage. However, water levels remained above flood thresholds at several monitoring sites, including near Indianapolis. State and local agencies continued damage assessments as residents returned home and communities managed flood-damaged infrastructure, roads, and debris from the storms.