US: Indiana Floods Kill at Least 5, Thousands Evacuated

Fatalities and Evacuations in Indiana Floods

At least five fatalities have been reported following catastrophic flooding that struck Indiana, with thousands of residents forced to evacuate their homes. Heavy rainfall continues to exacerbate the situation, prompting ongoing emergency rescues and raising concerns over the severity of the disaster.

Rescue Operations and Rising Waters

First responders utilized boats to evacuate individuals from inundated neighborhoods along the White River in Indianapolis. Mayor Joe Hogsett and other state officials emphasized the dangers of entering flooded roads, warning that even a mere six inches of water could render a vehicle immobile. Deputy Chief Jerry Martin of the Indianapolis Fire Department cautioned that water levels were still rising rapidly.

Unprecedented Flooding and Record Rainfall

Authorities described the flooding as unprecedented in certain areas, likening it to conditions last seen in the region over three decades ago. The US National Weather Service reported that some regions received more than 11 inches of rain in a two-day span, causing the White River to surpass records set in 1913 in Anderson and Noblesville. The scale of the flooding has strained emergency response capacity, with inundation affecting previously unaffected regions.

Evacuations and Rescue Efforts

Approximately 400 people evacuated parts of northern Indianapolis independently, while over 350 evacuations were reported in Delaware County. A senior mobile home community in Tipton County also faced evacuation, and emergency crews conducted rescues and welfare checks in Fayette County. As of late Saturday afternoon, the Indianapolis Fire Department had rescued 95 people and 45 pets, receiving numerous calls for assistance throughout the day.

Seeking Federal Assistance

Indiana Governor Mike Braun requested federal support for flood response and recovery. President Donald Trump is expected to approve the request, according to CBS News. More than 150,000 customers in northern Indiana remained without power as of Saturday afternoon, with the Northern Indiana Public Service Company reporting widespread outages. Authorities reiterated the critical importance of staying away from floodwaters, as heavy rain persisted and rivers remained perilously high.