INDIANAPOLIS, INDIANA / RankWire.AI / – Severe storms and historic flooding have resulted in the deaths of at least seven individuals across Indiana. Several days of intense rainfall caused rivers to overflow and led to widespread damage to roads, homes, and infrastructure. As floodwaters started to recede in several communities hardest hit, state public safety officials confirmed the updated death toll on Sunday. The storm activity began on August 11, bringing repeated heavy rain to central and southern Indiana.
The casualties included a 4-year-old boy, three men, and three women, according to officials from the state emergency services. The fatalities occurred in Delaware, Jennings, Lake, Porter, LaPorte, and Henry counties. Delaware County reported two deaths, while each of the other counties reported one. Among the latest victims confirmed on Sunday was a 31-year-old cyclist found in a section of road that had collapsed amid flooding in Henry County.
National Weather Service indicated that some regions received over a foot of rain during the multi-day event. The White River reached levels not seen in more than a century, with Anderson and Noblesville breaking record crests that previously stood since 1913. Nora experienced the river at its highest mark since that year. Officials in Indianapolis described this flooding as the city’s most severe in over 30 years.
Record floodwaters force evacuations across Indiana
Rescue teams carried out hundreds of evacuations as rising waters encroached on neighborhoods and led to road closures throughout the state. First responders used boats to reach residents trapped by the rapidly advancing floodwaters. In Noblesville, authorities reported approximately 170 residents evacuated over a span of 72 hours. Over 550 residential units experienced flood damage. Additionally, Indianapolis opened emergency shelters while crews performed water rescues and monitored neighborhoods along the White River.
The storms also caused extensive power outages across Indiana. Nearly 130,000 utility customers lost power late Sunday, a decrease from the peak of around 300,000 outages during the storm. Floodwaters damaged or washed out roads and impacted bridges in several towns. Indianapolis reopened city floodgates on Sunday after the White River peaked and began to fall. Local authorities continued inspecting neighborhoods, public infrastructure, and properties affected by the deluge.
Federal aid activated following statewide emergency declaration
Governor Mike Braun declared a statewide disaster emergency and dispatched additional state resources in response to the severe weather. President Donald Trump approved an emergency declaration after Indiana requested federal assistance. The declaration authorizes the Federal Emergency Management Agency to support local, tribal, and state response efforts. Federal aid covers activities necessary to protect lives, public health, safety, and property in storm-affected regions.
By late Sunday, river conditions showed signs of improvement from their peak levels, yet flooding persisted in parts of central Indiana. Federal weather agencies reported that major flooding along the White River had subsided to a moderate flood stage. Water levels remained above flood thresholds at several monitoring sites, including locations near Indianapolis. State and local teams continued damage assessments as residents returned to affected areas and communities faced wrecked buildings, damaged roads, and storm debris cleanup.