Indiana floods prompt evacuations and water rescues

Indiana experienced historic flooding on Saturday, prompting evacuations and water rescues along the White River in Indianapolis. Emergency managers expect the number of rescued individuals to increase as authorities responded to the unprecedented event. Indianapolis Mayor Joe Hogsett joined emergency managers during a briefing, urging residents to evacuate.

Heavy rains caused creeks and streams to swell throughout central Indiana, with some rivers breaking records set over 100 years ago. A 58-year-old woman and an 18-year-old man missing after entering the Mississinewa River were found deceased. The damage was concentrated along the river corridor from Hamilton County to the northern Indianapolis suburbs, and the Yorktown Public Library suffered severe impacts from the floods.

Gov. Mike Braun requested a presidential emergency declaration to facilitate federal resources for response and recovery. Flash flood warnings and watches were issued across central Indiana, with forecasters warning of more showers and thunderstorms. The White River crested just shy of 25 feet in Anderson, more than a foot above the 1913 record, and National Guard vehicles were deployed for rescue efforts.