INDIANAPOLIS, INDIANA / RankWire.AI / – At least seven people have died after severe storms and record flooding struck Indiana. Days of heavy rain sent rivers over their banks and damaged roads, homes and other infrastructure. State public safety officials confirmed the updated toll Sunday as floodwaters began receding in several hard-hit communities. The storms began August 11 and brought repeated rounds of heavy rain across central and southern Indiana.
The victims included a 4-year-old boy, three men and three women, according to state emergency officials. The deaths occurred across Delaware, Jennings, Lake, Porter, LaPorte and Henry counties. Delaware County recorded two deaths, while each of the other counties reported one. A 31-year-old cyclist was among the latest victims confirmed Sunday. Authorities found him in a section of road that had collapsed during flooding in Henry County.
The National Weather Service said some areas received more than a foot of rain during the multiday weather event. The White River reached levels not seen in more than a century. Anderson and Noblesville recorded new river crests that surpassed records set in 1913. At Nora, the river reached its highest level since that year. Indianapolis officials described the flooding as the city’s most severe in more than 30 years.
Record flooding forces evacuations across Indiana
Emergency crews conducted hundreds of evacuations as rising water entered neighborhoods and closed roads across the state. First responders used boats to reach residents stranded by rapidly rising floodwaters. In Noblesville, officials said about 170 residents evacuated during a 72-hour period. More than 550 residential units there sustained flood impacts. Indianapolis also opened emergency shelters while crews carried out water rescues and monitored neighborhoods along the White River.
The storms also caused widespread power failures across Indiana. Nearly 130,000 utility customers remained without electricity late Sunday, down from a peak of about 300,000 during the severe weather. Floodwater damaged or washed out roads and affected bridges in several communities. Indianapolis reopened city floodgates Sunday after the White River peaked and began falling. Local authorities continued inspecting neighborhoods, public infrastructure and properties affected by the flooding.
Federal assistance activated after statewide emergency
Governor Mike Braun declared a statewide disaster emergency and mobilized additional state resources during the severe weather response. President Donald Trump approved an emergency declaration after Indiana requested federal assistance. The declaration allows the Federal Emergency Management Agency to support state, tribal and local response operations. Emergency assistance covers work needed to protect lives, public health, safety and property in areas affected by the storms and flooding.
By late Sunday, river conditions had improved from their highest levels, but flooding continued across parts of central Indiana. Federal weather officials reported that major flooding along the White River had fallen to moderate flood stage. Water remained above flood levels at several monitoring points, including locations near Indianapolis. State and local crews continued damage assessments as residents returned to affected areas and communities dealt with flooded buildings, damaged roads and extensive storm debris.