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Indiana Flooding Toll Rises To 7 As Trump Approves FEMA Aid For 53 Counties
President Trump on Saturday approved FEMA disaster assistance for 53 Indiana counties.[1]
As of Monday morning, officials said at least seven people have died in storm- and flood-related incidents across the state.[2]
Gov. Mike Braun declared a state disaster emergency on Thursday, mobilized the Indiana National Guard and requested a presidential emergency declaration to unlock federal aid.[3] Rivers and creeks swelled after parts of central Indiana saw more than 11 inches of rain beginning August 11, and the White River crested near 24.9 feet in Anderson, prompting evacuations.[3] Indianapolis and other agencies carried out large water rescues, bringing roughly 91 people and 45 pets to safety along the White River.[4]
Early coverage reported a smaller toll; NPR and other outlets cited at least three deaths on Saturday before officials revised counts upward.[5] By Sunday and Monday, outlets including PBS and the New York Times reported additional fatalities, bringing the confirmed toll to seven as authorities identified victims.[1]
More than 106,000 customers in Indiana remained without power Monday, and forecasters warned one more day of heavy rain and thunderstorms before a cold front moves the system off the East Coast.[2]
Show source details & analysis (13 sources)
📌 Key Facts
- On Saturday, August 15, 2026, President Trump approved Gov. Mike Braun's emergency declaration, authorizing Federal Emergency Management Agency disaster assistance for 53 Indiana counties (President Trump).
- As of Monday morning, August 17, 2026, officials say at least seven people have died in storm- and flood-related incidents across Indiana (seven people).
- Indiana Gov. Mike Braun declared a state disaster emergency on Thursday, August 13, 2026, mobilized the Indiana National Guard and requested a presidential emergency declaration through FEMA to unlock federal resources (Gov. Mike Braun).
- The White River reached historic crests — about 24.9 feet in Anderson, surpassing flood marks set in 1913 — and forecasters warned the river and others would continue spilling over banks through at least Sunday, August 16, 2026 (White River).
- Parts of central Indiana received storm totals of more than 11 inches of rain beginning August 11, 2026, producing widespread flash flooding and prompting new evacuations (more than 11 inches).
- Local officials carried out large-scale water rescues and evacuations — Indianapolis reported roughly 91 people and 45 pets rescued along the White River, while first responders evacuated neighborhoods in Anderson, Yorktown, Franklin County and Cambridge City (91 people).
- Several storm-related victims have been identified, including 19-year-old Matthew Morey (recovered after entering the Mississinewa River), 58-year-old Stephanie Sallee, and 31-year-old cyclist James Briar, underscoring multiple, geographically dispersed fatalities (James Briar).
- Outages and infrastructure damage were widespread: outages peaked near 300,000 across the event, and as of Monday morning, August 17, 2026, more than 106,000 utility customers in Indiana remained without power while counties assess damaged bridges and other infrastructure (more than 106,000).
📰 Source Timeline (13)
Follow how coverage of this story developed over time
August 17, 2026
3:24 PM
Flooding risk remains as deadly storms move from the Midwest to the mid-Atlantic
New information:
- As of Monday morning, August 17, 2026, at least seven people have died in Indiana storms and flooding that began August 11, including a newly detailed victim, 31-year-old cyclist James Briar, found early Sunday, August 16, in a washout-related hole on a collapsed road in Henry County after apparently going around a barricade.
- On Monday morning, August 17, 2026, a flood warning remained in effect for part of Randolph County in east central Indiana, where overnight thunderstorms had dropped between 1 and 2 inches of rain by 8 a.m. local time.
- More than 106,000 utility customers in Indiana remained without power as of Monday morning, August 17, down from a peak of around 300,000 outages earlier in the event.
- Indianapolis officials on Sunday, August 16, launched a city website to support residents affected by the flooding, and Metropolitan Emergency Services Agency director Jacob Spence said the response work is 'far from over.'
- The National Weather Service on Monday, August 17, forecast one more day of repeated heavy rain and thunderstorms from the upper Ohio Valley to the central Appalachians before a cold front pushes the system off the East Coast on Tuesday, with flood watches in effect for much of West Virginia, southeast Ohio and northeast Kentucky.
August 16, 2026
8:38 PM
Multiple people dead as flooding continues in Indiana
New information:
- NPR reports at least six people across multiple Indiana counties had died in the flooding as of Sunday, August 16, 2026, consistent with but slightly earlier than the New York Times' later update to seven deaths.
- The National Weather Service preliminary report cited in the article says some parts of Indiana received more than 11 inches of rainfall over three days beginning August 11, 2026.
- The White River in Anderson, Indiana, rose to a record 24.9 feet, with continued flooding expected there as well as along the Wabash River and East Fork White River.
- Indianapolis Mayor Joe Hogsett said Saturday, August 15, that the city was experiencing its most severe flooding in more than 30 years, and the city has begun reopening some floodgates as waters recede.
- More than 128,000 customers across Indiana were without power as of Sunday afternoon, August 16, 2026, according to utility NIPSCO.
- Local reporting from NPR member station WFYI describes hundreds of volunteers gathering Sunday, August 16, in Rocky Ripple to sandbag and reinforce the town’s levee, highlighting community-led mitigation efforts.
7:59 PM
Indiana Prepares for More Rain After Days of Deadly Storms
New information:
- By Sunday, August 16, 2026, New York Times reporting put Indiana's storm-related death toll at at least seven, up from six previously reported.
- President Trump on Saturday, August 15, 2026, approved Gov. Mike Braun's emergency declaration, authorizing Federal Emergency Management Agency disaster assistance for 53 Indiana counties.
- State officials said stubborn storm systems have drenched the Midwest since Tuesday, August 11, 2026, affecting more than 50 counties in Indiana and displacing scores of residents.
- Gov. Mike Braun said Saturday, August 15, that wind gusts reached around 100 miles per hour in some areas and that peak flows on the White River broke a 113-year-old water-height record according to the U.S. Geological Survey.
- The article notes that in Indianapolis the White River jumped its banks, threatened parts of the city, and required emergency responders to perform boat rescues in flooded neighborhoods and shopping areas.
5:50 PM
At least 6 people have died from days of storms and record-setting flooding in Indiana
New information:
- By Sunday, August 16, 2026, Indiana officials said at least six people had died from storms and flooding that began August 11, raising the toll from at least five reported earlier.
- Jennings County officials said a 4-year-old boy was killed on Tuesday, August 11, 2026, when a tree crashed through his bedroom during strong winds.
- Delaware County officials identified a 19-year-old victim as Matthew Morey, whose body was recovered Saturday, August 15, after he jumped off a bridge into the swollen Mississinewa River three days earlier.
- Delaware County authorities also recovered the body of 58-year-old Stephanie Sallee and her dog in a cornfield on Saturday, August 15, and believe her car was swept off a flooded road.
- Indianapolis officials said flooding on the White River peaked early Sunday, August 16, 2026, and they planned to reopen the city's floodgates the same day while hundreds of evacuated homes remained affected.
- Hamilton County board of commissioners president Christine Altman said Sunday, August 16, that the county avoided fatalities but is assessing whether a significantly damaged bridge can be repaired or must be replaced.
- The National Weather Service warned on Sunday, August 16, that heavy rain and flash flooding remained possible across central Indiana and urged residents to stay out of fast-moving waters.
- Nearly 130,000 utility customers across Indiana remained without power by midday Sunday, August 16, due to the storms and flooding.
August 15, 2026
8:39 PM
Indiana authorities say at least 5 people have died in flooding across the state
New information:
- By Saturday, August 15, 2026, Indiana authorities said at least five people have died in flooding across the state during the past week.
- Gov. Mike Braun said on August 15 that President Donald Trump intends to approve Indiana's request for federal resources to assist with flood response and recovery.
- On August 15, more than 90 people and their pets were rescued from rising floodwaters along the White River in Indianapolis; the Indianapolis Fire Department later put the tally at 91 people and 45 pets rescued by early afternoon.
- Indianapolis Mayor Joe Hogsett, who declared a local emergency a day earlier, urged residents along the White River to evacuate during an August 15 briefing with emergency managers.
- Marion County Emergency Management director Jacob Spence described the current situation as a "once-in-a-lifetime" flood and an "unprecedented event" that is setting new records.
- The National Weather Service reported that more than 11 inches of rain fell over a two-day period in some areas, and that the White River crested at more than 24 feet in Anderson and Noblesville, surpassing 1913 records.
- Flash-flood warnings and watches remained in effect across central Indiana on August 15, with forecasters warning additional showers and thunderstorms were expected through the day as the White River was forecast to crest in the Indianapolis area Saturday evening.
8:04 PM
The Midwest braces for more heavy flooding, as Indiana seeks federal aid
New information:
- As of Saturday afternoon, August 15, 2026, at least three people have died and more than 150,000 customers were without power across the Midwest due to the flooding.
- The National Weather Service on Saturday forecast additional rounds of widespread thunderstorms and heavy rain through at least Sunday, August 16, across the Ohio Valley, Midwest and central Appalachians, with flood and flash-flood warnings in central Illinois and central Indiana and flood watches from Iowa and Missouri to central West Virginia.
- The White River in Anderson, Indiana rose to a record 24.9 feet, surpassing a flood mark that had stood since 1913; earlier reports cited a crest just shy of 25 feet.
- Indiana Gov. Mike Braun said he has requested a presidential emergency declaration through FEMA for federal funding and resources, while also declaring a statewide disaster emergency and deploying the Indiana National Guard.
- The article highlights that many affected Indiana property owners, such as a New Castle campground owner reporting 5 feet of water on her property, lack flood insurance because FEMA flood maps historically have not accounted for rainfall-driven and flash flooding risk.
7:31 PM
Indiana floods prompt evacuations and water rescues
New information:
- On Saturday, August 15, 2026, several dozen people and their pets were rescued along the White River in Indianapolis, with Indianapolis Fire Department spokesperson Rita Reith estimating about 70 rescues by midday.
- Indianapolis Mayor Joe Hogsett, who declared a local emergency on Friday, August 14, urged residents along the White River to evacuate during a Saturday briefing with emergency managers.
- Gov. Mike Braun has requested a presidential emergency declaration to unlock federal resources for response and recovery after days of record rainfall in Indiana.
- The White River crested just shy of 25 feet in Anderson on Friday, August 14, more than a foot above the previous record set in 1913.
- Delaware County authorities on Friday, August 14, found the body of a 58-year-old woman believed to have died after attempting to drive through floodwaters.
- The Delaware County Sheriff's Office confirmed Saturday, August 15, that 18-year-old Matthew Morey, an incoming Purdue University freshman who went missing after entering the Mississinewa River on Wednesday, August 12, was found dead.
- Yorktown Public Library in Delaware County reported roughly one foot of floodwater throughout its building and said Saturday that water had receded and a water-mitigation company was helping plan recovery.
- The National Weather Service maintained flash flood warnings and watches across central Indiana on Saturday, August 15, noting additional showers and thunderstorms and reporting 2 inches of rain in six hours in Warren County.
August 14, 2026
2:59 PM
Indiana river breaks 1913 flooding record as governor declares state of emergency
New information:
- CBS reports Friday, August 14, 2026 that the White River has now crested at more than 24.5 feet, over a foot higher than the 1913 record.
- Since Tuesday, August 11, 2026, more than 11 inches of rain have fallen east of Indianapolis, driving the White River flooding.
- Gov. Mike Braun declared a state of emergency on Thursday, August 13, 2026 and mobilized the Indiana National Guard, saying the state response is fully mobilized and resources are being moved where needed.
- Officials in Anderson, Indiana ordered evacuations after several feet of water covered streets and surrounded homes, leaving entire neighborhoods underwater.
- The town of Yorktown and Franklin County, including Cambridge City, reported streets, train tracks and homes surrounded by several feet of water, with first responders rescuing dozens of people across the region.
- Forecasters expect the White River to continue spilling over its banks until Sunday, August 16, 2026, meaning flooding could worsen.
12:57 PM
Extreme weather slams the Midwest and in Indiana floodwaters are rising again
New information:
- On Friday, August 14, 2026, CBS reported that floodwaters in parts of Indiana are rising again after earlier record crests, as new rounds of extreme weather hit the Midwest.
- The segment said the Midwest is bracing for additional severe storms even as some Indiana streets remain inundated from earlier flooding.
- CBS framed the situation as a continuing, not yet stabilizing, flood emergency with renewed risk from incoming weather systems.
12:23 PM
Rivers swell in Indiana, breaking records set over a century ago and causing major flooding
New information:
- CBS reports on Friday, August 14, 2026, that rivers in Indiana have risen to record levels, breaking marks set more than a century ago.
- The segment says parts of Indiana have received more than 11 inches of rain since Tuesday, August 11, 2026.
- CBS reports the heavy rainfall has led to major flooding and new evacuations in affected Indiana communities as of August 14, 2026.
- The article does not specify exact river names or towns in the brief text but frames the flooding as ongoing and worsening since the earlier state-of-emergency declaration.
August 13, 2026
11:51 PM
Heavy rains continue in Indiana as floods prompt governor to declare disaster emergency
New information:
- CBS aired an additional segment at 6:51 p.m. Central on Thursday, August 13, 2026, updating that heavy rains were continuing in Indiana after the disaster emergency declaration.
- The segment framed Indiana's flooding as part of a broader pattern of similar flood threats affecting "millions of Americans" across the Midwest.
- Correspondent Ian Lee reported on the conditions from within the Indiana disaster zone, underscoring that homes were underwater as of the evening of August 13, 2026.
7:58 PM
Indiana under state of emergency after storms bring devastating floods
New information:
- Indiana Gov. Mike Braun has formally declared a state of emergency after parts of the state saw record rainfall totals that led to flooding on Wednesday, August 12, 2026.
- CBS positions the declaration explicitly as a response to the record rainfall and Wednesday flooding already affecting Indiana communities.
- The segment is anchored by CBS News' Meg Oliver and Jessica Burch, indicating on-the-ground and meteorological coverage tied to the emergency declaration.