Historic flooding prompted evacuations and water rescues Saturday along the White River in Indianapolis and other parts of central Indiana. Emergency officials described the event as unprecedented, with floodwaters rising rapidly.
Several dozen people and their pets were rescued from rising waters. Officials anticipate the number of rescues will increase as the situation develops. The damage has been concentrated along the river corridor, particularly in Hamilton County and the northern Indianapolis suburbs.
Indianapolis Mayor Joe Hogsett declared a local emergency Friday as heavy rains caused creeks and streams to swell throughout the region. He urged residents living near the river to evacuate.
"This is one of those once-in-a-lifetime type floods," said Jacob Spence, director of Marion County Emergency Management. "So yeah, this is an unprecedented event and unfortunately we're setting some new records."
Governor Mike Braun has requested a presidential emergency declaration to secure federal resources for response and recovery efforts following several days of record rainfall. The National Weather Service issued flash flood warnings and watches across a wide area of central Indiana on Saturday, with forecasts indicating more showers and thunderstorms were expected.
Forecasters reported 2 inches of rain falling in a six-hour period in Warren County. The White River was expected to crest Saturday evening in the Indianapolis area. By midday, an estimated 70 people had been rescued, according to Rita Reith, a spokesperson for the Indianapolis Fire Department. National Guard vehicles were assisting in the rescue operations.
"The water is still rising so heed the warnings," said Todd Wilson, director of the city's public works department.
Social media posts showed vehicles stranded in high water, a power pole toppled by rushing water, and flooded intersections. Earlier in the week, severe storms across the Midwest caused tornadoes, heavy rains, and flash flooding, with storm damage reported from the Chicago area to western Pennsylvania.
In Delaware County, sheriff's deputies found the body of a 58-year-old woman on Friday. Authorities believe she died after attempting to drive through floodwaters.