Indianapolis Flooding Prompts Rescues as Indiana Storm Death Toll Reaches Five

White River rises toward a forecast crest as emergency crews evacuate residents

INDIANAPOLIS, Indiana — Flooding along the White River prompted dozens of water rescues and evacuation warnings in Indianapolis on Saturday, Aug. 15, after days of intense rainfall across central Indiana contributed to at least five deaths statewide, Gov. Mike Braun said.

Emergency crews rescued an estimated 70 people and several pets by midday Saturday as water rose in neighborhoods near the river, according to Indianapolis Fire Department spokesperson Rita Reith. Local officials warned that the total could increase as the White River continued rising and responders assessed flooded areas.

Marion County Emergency Management Director Jacob Spence described the disaster as a rare event, telling The Associated Press that the region was facing a “once-in-a-lifetime type flood.” Heavy rain had already pushed creeks, streams and rivers beyond levels seen in generations, with some waterways breaking records established more than a century ago.

Indianapolis Mayor Joe Hogsett joined emergency officials at a Saturday briefing and urged people living near the White River to leave vulnerable areas. Hogsett declared a local emergency Friday as persistent rain swelled waterways throughout central Indiana. Todd Wilson, the city’s public works director, said residents should follow official warnings because water levels were still increasing.

Record river levels and storm fatalities reported across central Indiana

The most severe damage was concentrated along the river corridor from Hamilton County into Indianapolis’ northern suburbs. In Anderson, the White River reached nearly 25 feet Friday — more than a foot above the previous record set in 1913, according to forecasters.

Flooding also proved deadly elsewhere in the region. Delaware County sheriff’s deputies found the body of a 58-year-old woman Friday after authorities said she apparently attempted to drive through floodwaters. Officials have repeatedly cautioned motorists not to enter submerged roads, where the depth and force of moving water can be difficult to judge.

The Delaware County Sheriff’s Office also confirmed Saturday that searchers recovered the body of 18-year-old Matthew Morey, an incoming Purdue University freshman who went missing after entering the Mississinewa River with three other people Wednesday. The sheriff’s office said its thoughts were with Morey’s family, friends and classmates.

Beyond homes and roads, flooding damaged community facilities. The Yorktown Public Library said floodwater about a foot deep entered its building Friday. In a social media update, the library said the water had receded by Saturday morning and that it was working with a water-mitigation company on a recovery plan.

Federal emergency aid approved as more rain threatens the region

Braun said he spoke with President Donald Trump, who approved Indiana’s request for a presidential emergency declaration Saturday. The declaration makes up to $5 million in federal resources available for storm response and recovery, according to the governor.

The National Weather Service maintained flash flood watches and warnings across a broad section of central Indiana Saturday, with additional showers and thunderstorms expected. Forecasters reported that Warren County received 2 inches of rain in a six-hour period, underscoring the risk that already saturated ground and swollen waterways could worsen quickly.

National Guard vehicles joined local rescue crews in Indianapolis, while residents shared videos showing stranded cars, flooded intersections and utility poles toppled by rushing water. The flooding follows a week of severe weather across the Midwest, where tornadoes, heavy rain and flash flooding caused damage from the Chicago area to western Pennsylvania.

Authorities continued rescue and evacuation operations Saturday evening as the White River approached its expected Indianapolis crest. Residents were urged to avoid floodwaters and comply with evacuation directions; the broader storm-damage assessment and flooding investigation remained ongoing.