Emergency personnel rescued several dozen people and their pets in Indianapolis on Saturday as the White River rose to levels described by local officials as historic. Indianapolis Mayor Joe Hogsett urged residents along the river corridor to evacuate, one day after declaring a local emergency due to heavy rains. Jacob Spence, director of Marion County Emergency Management, stated the event had set new records and described the flooding as unprecedented.
The flooding followed several days of heavy rainfall across central Indiana, which caused creeks and streams to swell. These conditions were part of a larger weather pattern that produced severe storms, tornadoes, and flash flooding across the Midwest earlier in the week, affecting areas from Chicago to western Pennsylvania. On Friday, the White River in Anderson crested at nearly 25 feet, exceeding a record set in 1913 by more than one foot.
In Delaware County, authorities reported two fatalities related to the weather. Sheriff's deputies found the body of a 58-year-old woman on Friday who they believe died while attempting to drive through floodwaters. On Saturday, officials confirmed the recovery of the body of 18-year-old Matthew Morey, who had gone missing Wednesday after entering the Mississinewa River. Additionally, the Yorktown Public Library reported severe damage after approximately one foot of water entered the building on Friday.
The scale of the disaster has prompted Governor Mike Braun to request a presidential emergency declaration. If approved, this would authorize federal resources to assist with response and recovery efforts. While the specific dollar amount of the damage is not yet reported, the impact on public institutions is evident; for instance, the Yorktown Public Library must now undergo professional water mitigation. Residents in Warren County saw significant localized rainfall, with two inches recorded in a single six-hour period on Saturday, contributing to the rapid rise of local waterways.
The situation remains active as the National Weather Service issued flash flood warnings and watches for much of central Indiana on Saturday. Public works officials warned that water levels were still rising as of Saturday afternoon, meaning residents may face further evacuations or property threats. The White River was expected to crest in the Indianapolis area on Saturday evening. Following the crest, the timeline for recovery and the full assessment of infrastructure damage, such as toppled power poles and flooded intersections, will begin.