Record flooding in Indiana kills multiple people and forces evacuations

What This is

• Days of severe storms caused record flooding across central Indiana, especially along the White River in and around Indianapolis.
• Some areas saw more than 11 inches of rain in a short period, overwhelming streams, neighborhoods, and drainage systems.
• The White River in Indianapolis reached a crest above past benchmarks, including records dating back more than a century in some reports.
• Hundreds of homes were evacuated and emergency crews used boats to rescue people stranded by rising water.
• Officials reported multiple deaths statewide, with tallies varying by outlet as the situation developed.
• Flooding damaged roads and bridges, including a bridge section ripped apart in Carmel, and some areas reported sinkholes and washed-out pavement.
• Power outages spread across Indiana and nearby states, with Indiana among the hardest hit in several reports.
• Gov. Mike Braun declared an emergency and requested federal help, and President Donald Trump approved emergency assistance that opens the door to FEMA support.
• Some deaths were tied to people entering flood danger, including drownings and a fatal crash after a bicyclist went past barricades onto a flood-damaged road.

Why This Matters

• It shows how quickly extreme rain can turn routine rivers and roads into deadly hazards.
• When towns flood, emergency crews can be stretched thin across many counties at once.
• Damage to bridges, roads, power lines, and water systems can disrupt daily life long after water levels fall.
• Many residents may face major costs if they lack flood insurance or if flood-risk maps do not match today’s rainfall.