Indiana authorities said at least five people have died as a result of severe storms and flooding across the state this week, as first responders used boats to rescue more people Saturday from rising waters in neighborhoods along the White River in Indianapolis.
The state has been hammered over the last week by heavy rains, resulting in rivers reaching record levels and sending residents in search of higher ground. More than a dozen counties have declared local disasters, with much of the latest damage concentrated along river corridors from Hamilton County heading into the northern Indianapolis suburbs.
Farther east in Delaware County, sheriff deputies on Friday found the body of a 58-year-old woman who they believe died after trying to drive through floodwaters. They also recovered the body of a teen who was first reported missing Wednesday after jumping into a river. Earlier in the week, a 4-year-old boy was killed when a tree fell on his home in Jennings County.
“My heart is with the families and loved ones of the five Hoosiers we have lost and every family whose life has been changed by these storms,” Gov. Mike Braun said in a statement issued Saturday. “Please continue to take flooding seriously and stay away from floodwaters.”
Braun confirmed Saturday that President Trump intends to approve his request for federal resources to help in response to the flooding and the recovery.
Indianapolis Mayor Joe Hogsett was joined by emergency managers during a briefing Saturday as he urged residents along the White River to evacuate. He said the city was experiencing its most severe flooding in more than 30 years, noting that conditions were shifting rapidly.
Jacob Spence, director of Marion County Emergency Management, called it a once-in-a-lifetime flood. “This is an unprecedented event, and unfortunately we’re setting some new records,” he said.
The National Weather Service reported that more than 11 inches of rain fell over a two-day period in some areas. The White River crested at more than 24 feet in the communities of Anderson and Noblesville, surpassing records set in 1913.
Flash-flood warnings and watches remained in place Saturday across a swath of central Indiana.
Forecasters expected the White River to crest Saturday evening in the Indianapolis area, where National Guard vehicles were among those helping with the rescue efforts. Rita Reith, a spokesperson with the Indianapolis Fire Department, put the number of rescues at 91 people and 45 pets as of early afternoon.
“The water is still rising, so heed the warnings,” said Todd Wilson, director of the city’s public works department.
Authorities estimated that about 400 people evacuated parts of northern Indianapolis on their own, while the governor’s office reported more than 350 evacuations have occurred in Delaware County and that a senior mobile home community in Tipton County was being evacuated. Rescues and welfare checks also were happening in Fayette County.
Residents posted videos on social media that showed vehicles stranded in high water, a power pole being toppled by rushing water and flooded intersections.
Earlier this week, severe storms wreaked havoc across other parts of the Midwest, causing tornadoes, heavy rains and flash flooding. Storm damage was reported from the Chicago area all the way to western Pennsylvania.
Montoya Bryan writes for the Associated Press.
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