2026 Indiana floods

2026 Indiana floods
Aerial of swollen White River in Indianapolis, August 15, 2026
DateAugust 11 – ongoing
Location
TypeFlood (incl. flash flooding)
Derecho (August 11)
Deaths7+[1]

Beginning on August 11, 2026, the state of Indiana was impacted by several rounds of thunderstorms and heavy rainfall, resulting in widespread and historic flooding across the central and southern portions of the state, as well as in adjacent areas of Ohio and Kentucky.[2] The flooding has left at least 7 dead in Indiana[1] and prompted a statewide disaster proclamation from Indiana Governor Mike Braun.[3]

Meteorological history

A frontal boundary stalled over the Midwest and was unable to move due to a heat dome in the southern United States. In the Gulf, a high pressure system brought moisture to the stalled front and fueling storms.[4] On August 11, a derecho developed at about 12:00 UTC over eastern Iowa and lasted until at least 17:25 UTC over Indiana.[5][6] After rounds of thunderstorms, the Weather Prediction Center begin issuing storm summaries at 03:00 UTC on August 12.[7] That day, a squall line brought heavy rainfall to the area,[8] causing major river flooding in Indiana.[9] The stationary front continued to produce rounds of showers and thunderstorms due to its interaction with waves of energy at the top of the high pressure ridge to the south of the front.[10] Beginning on August 16, precipitation came to an end as a cold front began to move over Midwest.[11] At 15:00 UTC on August 17, the Weather Prediction Center issued its last summary as the cold front swept through the Midwest and Ohio Valley.[12]

Impact

Over a million customers lost power due to the derecho on August 11.[13][14] Some areas including Gary, Indiana, remained without power for more than nine days, with 68,000 customers in Lake County Indiana out of power on Thursday August 20, and some customers expected to remain without power until Tuesday August 25.[15]

Indiana

This image shows the White River flowing under the bridge at Southport Road during the flood on August 15, 2026.

Across Indiana, a peak of 300,000 lost power. Strong winds brought down a tree onto a house in Jennings County on August 11, killing a boy.[1] A house explosion killed a woman in Portage during the storm while another was struck by roofing material in Gary.[16] The following day, a man died in a crash in LaPorte County.[17] Parts of the state reported over 11 in (280 mm) of rain in a two-day period.[18] New Castle recorded a 1-in-1000 year rainfall rate with over 11 in (280 mm) in 32 hours.[19] Most of the severe flooding took place along the White River Corridor.[20] In Anderson, the White River beat the record set in 1913, rising to 24.9 ft (7.6 m). A near similar situation occurred in Noblesville, where the White River rose to a record level of 24.6 ft (7.5 m). [21] On August 13, a statewide disaster emergency was issued by Indiana Governor Mike Braun.[3] In Delaware County, two bodies, one who may have attempted to drive through floodwaters and another who went missing on August 12 after entering the Mississinewa River, were found on August 14 and 15 respectively.[1] Over 350 evacuations were reported in Delaware County by August 15. The Indianapolis Fire Department reported 95 people and 45 pets were rescued as well.[2] Around 400 evacuated from parts of northern Indianapolis.[1] In New Castle, one died after biking along a washed-out section of road.[22] The Whitewater Valley Railroad estimated the cost to repair damage to its railroads to be in the millions.[23] On the night of August 16, a levee burst in Madison Township, triggering evacuations and 11 people rescued across Morgan County.[24] The Hazel Dell Parkway bridge over Blue Woods Creek in Carmel partially washed away, the largest infrastructure loss in Hamilton County.[25] Officials said a new design for a replacement bridge would take 60 days, with construction estimated to be complete by the end of 2027.[26] Heavy erosion also threatened a wastewater main break.[25]

Ohio

Early on August 11, Perry County recorded over 6.5 in (170 mm) in just a few hours, causing flooding on many roads and prompting a flash flood emergency to be issued. A person in a medical emergency died in Perry County after flooded roads prevented first responders to reach them.[14] More than 130,000 American Electric Power customers lost power.[27] The same day, a state of emergency was declared by Ohio Governor Mike DeWine for Perry and Muskingum counties and mobilized the National Guard.[28] Another round of storms on August 15 brought additional rainfall and flooding to Perry, Muskingum, and Morgan counties.[29] Relief efforts in Crooksville were severely impacted by the flooding.[30]

Kentucky

Over 103,000 customers across the state were without power on August 11.[31] The storms left a peak of over 19,000 Kentucky Power customers without electricity.[32] On the night of August 13, Knott County saw 1.5–3.25 in (38–83 mm) of rain in several hours and a flash flood emergency was issued for the county.[14] Schools were cancelled in Floyd, Knott, and Letcher counties for August 14.[33]

Aftermath

On August 15, an Emergency Disaster Declaration was authorized by United States President Donald Trump.

Gunfire briefly halted power restoration by NIPSCO crews in Gary, Indiana.[34]

The Indianapolis Colts and Pacers Sports & Entertainment donated $125,000 each to flood relief efforts across Indiana on August 16.[1] American Electric Power Ohio donated $150,000 to the American Red Cross Central & Southern Ohio Region on August 17.[35] The same day, Indiana Governor Mike Braun announced a disaster a $5,000 relief fund for individuals.[36]

An initial 6,000 meals were sent to Indianapolis by Cultivate Food Rescue.[37] On August 23, with more than 10,000 people still without power in Northwest Indiana, World Central Kitchen distributed 4,000 meals to residents in Gary and Lake Ridge.[38]

References

  1. 1 2 3 4 5 6 "Indiana storms linked to 7 deaths as floods trigger rescues and evacuations". CBS News. August 16, 2026. Retrieved August 16, 2026.
  2. 1 2 Montoya Bryan, Susan (August 15, 2026). "Indiana authorities say at least 5 people have died in flooding across the state". The Associated Press. Retrieved August 15, 2026.
  3. 1 2 Simmons, Michelle; Hutchinson, Bill. "Indiana governor declares statewide disaster emergency as Midwest floodwaters rise". ABC News. Retrieved August 15, 2026.
  4. ↑ Mohammed, Faiza (August 14, 2026). "Why the Midwest flooding kept hitting the same areas". The Weather Channel. Retrieved August 15, 2026.
  5. ↑ "Severe Weather (Including a Derecho) on August 11th, 2026". National Weather Service. Retrieved August 16, 2026.
  6. ↑ Kothari, Rishav (August 12, 2026). "At least six tornadoes confirmed after derecho sweeps through Iowa, Illinois and Indiana". The Watchers. Retrieved August 16, 2026.
  7. ↑ Eovino (August 11, 2026). "Storm Summary Number 1 for Ohio Valley Heavy Rain and Flooding". The Weather Prediction Center. Retrieved August 15, 2026.
  8. ↑ Blanco-Alcala (August 12, 2026). "Storm Summary Number 2 for Ohio Valley Heavy Rain and Flooding". The Weather Prediction Center. Retrieved August 15, 2026.
  9. ↑ Eovino (August 12, 2026). "Storm Summary Number 3 for Ohio Valley Heavy Rain and Flooding". The Weather Prediction Center. Retrieved August 15, 2026.
  10. ↑ Dolan (August 14, 2026). "Storm Summary Number 6 for Ohio Valley and Midwest Heavy Rain and Flooding". The Weather Prediction Center. Retrieved August 17, 2026.
  11. ↑ Dolan (August 16, 2026). "Storm Summary Number 10 for Ohio Valley and Midwest Heavy Rain and Flooding". The Weather Prediction Center. Retrieved August 18, 2026.
  12. ↑ Snekk (August 17, 2026). "Storm Summary Number 12 for Ohio Valley and Midwest Heavy Rain and Flooding". The Weather Prediction Center. Retrieved August 17, 2026.
  13. ↑ Singh, Kanishka (August 15, 2026). "Six dead in Indiana after storms and floods, emergency officials say". Reuters. Retrieved August 15, 2026.
  14. 1 2 3 Sullivan, Kieran; Atienza, Julian (August 12, 2026). "Six dead in Indiana after days of relentless flash flooding across Midwest". FOX Weather. Retrieved August 16, 2026.
  15. ↑ "'Survival mode': Indiana residents endure a ninth day without power". NPR. Retrieved August 21, 2026.
  16. ↑ Holms, Evelyn; Garcia, John; Cauguiran, Cate (August 12, 2026). "NW Indiana storms: Woman killed by roofing material in Gary; woman killed in Portage explosion ID'd". ABC7. Retrieved August 16, 2026.
  17. ↑ "IDHS confirms Florida man killed in La Porte County weather-related crash on US 30". WSBT 22. August 16, 2026. Retrieved August 16, 2026.
  18. ↑ "At least 6 people have died in flooding across Indiana, authorities say". NBC News. August 15, 2026. Retrieved August 16, 2026.
  19. ↑ Smith, Dakota; Waxman, Briana; Dolce, Chris; Peterson, Kate (August 13, 2026). "Rivers rising in Indiana's catastrophic flood zone as new storms threaten Midwest". CNN Weather. Retrieved August 18, 2026.
  20. ↑ "Indiana Floods Kill 6 People: Where Are Warnings Still in Place?". Newsweek. August 16, 2026. Retrieved August 16, 2026.
  21. ↑ Sullivan, Laura (August 15, 2026). "The Midwest braces for more heavy flooding, as Indiana seeks federal aid". NPR. Retrieved August 16, 2026.
  22. ↑ "Bicyclist dies in New Castle after riding in washed out road". WTHR. August 16, 2026. Retrieved August 16, 2026.
  23. ↑ McPherson, LeAnne (August 15, 2026). "Flood cause millions in damage to Indiana railroad". wdtn.com. Retrieved August 16, 2026.
  24. ↑ "'Do not drive through flood waters' | Levee break in Morgan County prompts evacuations". wthr.com. August 16, 2026. Retrieved August 17, 2026.
  25. 1 2 Schroeder, Joe (August 17, 2026). "'Violent event': Carmel officials talk potential bridge collapse, say raw sewage could flow into White River". FOX59. Retrieved August 18, 2026.
  26. ↑ Sandoval, Cat; Montgomery, Gregg (August 24, 2026). "Carmel bridge destroyed by flooding could be replaced by end of 2027". Retrieved August 25, 2026.
  27. ↑ Conn, Adam; Pennisi, Nico (August 13, 2026). "When power will be restored for thousands in the Columbus area after violent storms". NBC4i.com. Retrieved August 18, 2026.
  28. ↑ Dolce, Chris; Tucker, Emma (August 11, 2026). "Relentless storms leave at least 1 dead, over a million without power across Midwest and Mid-Atlantic". CNN Weather. Retrieved August 17, 2026.
  29. ↑ Mills, Brett (August 16, 2026). ""I'm numb": Perry County hit hard again with severe flooding, residents in disbelief". nbc4i.com. Retrieved August 17, 2026.
  30. ↑ "Perry County hit by second major flood in days as cleanup begins in Crooksville". FOX28. August 17, 2026. Retrieved August 17, 2026.
  31. ↑ "Storms cause power outages all over Kentucky". WKYT. August 11, 2026. Retrieved August 18, 2026.
  32. ↑ "Kentucky Power provides update on outages across eastern Kentucky". WKYT. August 12, 2026. Retrieved August 17, 2026.
  33. ↑ Elam, Corey (August 14, 2026). "Overnight flash flooding impacts eastern Kentucky school districts". FOX56. Retrieved August 16, 2026.
  34. ↑ Bizzle, Jeramie (August 16, 2026). "President Trump approves emergency declaration for Indiana after severe storms". CBS News. Retrieved August 18, 2026.
  35. ↑ Fleegle, Carolyn (August 17, 2026). "AEP donates $150,000 to American Red Cross Amid Disaster Relief Efforts". whiznews.com. Retrieved August 17, 2026.
  36. ↑ "Flooding risk remains as storms move from the Midwest to the mid-Atlantic". whdh.com. Associated Press. August 17, 2026. Retrieved August 18, 2026.
  37. ↑ "Cultivate Food Rescue sends 6,000 meals to central Indiana flood victims". WSBT 22. August 18, 2026. Retrieved August 18, 2026.
  38. ↑ Gallardo, Michelle; Kawash, Maher. "World Central Kitchen provides free meals to NW Indiana residents, NIPSCO continues restoring power". ABC 7 Eyewitness News. ABC. Retrieved August 24, 2026.
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