Central Indiana Floods: What is happening in central Indiana

The central Indiana floods are a severe-weather and river-flooding event that has affected Indianapolis, communities along the White River, and areas east and north of the city. Reports describe widespread evacuations, water rescues, record river levels and at least five storm-related deaths, although one report puts the statewide death toll at six. The available reporting does not establish why the figures differ.

What is happening in central Indiana

Heavy rain over several days caused rivers, creeks and streams to rise rapidly. The National Weather Service reported that some areas received more than 11 inches of rain over two days, while the White River rose above 24 feet in Anderson and Noblesville, surpassing records set in 1913, according to The Associated Press report published by the Rutland Herald and NBC News.

The hardest-hit areas reported in the coverage include the White River corridor from Hamilton County into the northern Indianapolis suburbs. In Indianapolis’ Ravenwood neighborhood, floodwater surrounded homes, submerged vehicles and reached front doors, NBC News reported.

Indianapolis Mayor Joe Hogsett said the city was experiencing its most severe flooding in more than 30 years, while Marion County Emergency Management Director Jacob Spence described it as a “once-in-a-lifetime type flood,” according to the AP report.

Rescues and evacuations

First responders used boats to reach people in neighborhoods along the White River in Indianapolis. The Indianapolis Fire Department reported 95 people and 45 pets rescued by late Saturday afternoon, while NBC News reported that more than 90 people and their pets had been rescued.

Hundreds of homes located between the river and parallel canals were evacuated in Indianapolis. The governor’s office also reported more than 350 evacuations in Delaware County, and a senior mobile-home community in Tipton County was being evacuated, according to the AP report.

Authorities also conducted rescues and welfare checks in Fayette County. Officials urged residents living along the river to evacuate as the water continued to rise. Flash-flood warnings and watches remained in effect across parts of central Indiana on Saturday, with additional showers and thunderstorms expected, according to NBC News.

Death toll and federal response

Reports agree that the storms caused multiple deaths but differ on the total. CBS News and the AP report said Indiana authorities reported at least five deaths. NBC News and ABC7 Chicago reported six deaths across the state.

The reported fatalities include a child killed when a tree fell on a home, a 58-year-old woman believed to have died after driving into floodwater, and 18-year-old Matthew Morey, who was reported missing after entering the Mississinewa River with three others. CBS News reported that Delaware County authorities found Morey’s body.

Indiana Gov. Mike Braun declared a statewide disaster emergency Friday, according to ABC7 Chicago. On Saturday, federal disaster assistance was reported as available to Indiana after President Donald Trump approved an emergency declaration, the AP report said. ABC7 Chicago reported that the declaration covered severe storms, straight-line winds, tornadoes and flooding beginning Aug. 11, 2026.

Timeline of the flooding

• Aug. 11: The period covered by the federal emergency declaration began, according to ABC7 Chicago.
• Friday: Indianapolis declared a local emergency as heavy rain caused creeks and streams to swell. Braun also declared a statewide disaster emergency.
• Saturday: Boat rescues and evacuations continued in Indianapolis and other central Indiana communities. The White River had already exceeded historic levels in Anderson and Noblesville, while forecasters expected it to crest in the Indianapolis area Saturday evening.
• Saturday evening: Federal assistance was reported as available to support Indiana’s response and recovery efforts.

Flood conditions were receding in some areas north of Indianapolis, but warnings and watches remained active across parts of central Indiana as officials continued responding to rising water.