Indiana Governor requests FEMA disaster declaration as Midwest floods intensify
Heavy thunderstorms have caused widespread flooding across the Midwest, prompting Indiana Governor Mike Braun to seek a federal emergency declaration while officials warn of continued rain through Sunday.
A series of intense thunderstorms has produced extensive flooding throughout the Midwest, with the National Weather Service forecasting additional rain through Sunday. The storm system is expected to affect the Ohio Valley, Midwest and central Appalachians, adding precipitation to areas already saturated after recent rains. At least three people have died and more than 150,000 customers remain without power, according to Saturday reports.
Indiana and Ohio have experienced some of the highest rainfall totals, exceeding 11 inches in certain locations over the past week. The White River in Anderson, Indiana, rose to 24.9 feet, surpassing a level not seen since 1913. Flash-flood and flood warnings were issued for central Illinois and central Indiana, while flood watches extend from Iowa and Missouri eastward to central West Virginia.
"I will do everything in my power to protect Hoosier lives and livelihoods as we respond to this historic severe weather," Indiana Governor Mike Braun said, adding that he has asked the president for an emergency declaration to secure federal assistance. He noted that the state has mobilized resources, declared a statewide disaster emergency and deployed the Indiana National Guard.
In addition to heavy rain, parts of Indiana have faced periodic tornadoes and a derecho in recent days. Local business owner Cyndee Gillmore described five feet of water flooding her campground facilities, noting that many residents lack flood insurance and that property insurance does not cover flood damage.
The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) administers most flood insurance, but critics say its flood-risk maps often omit areas vulnerable to heavy rainfall and flash flooding. A climate-risk modeling firm has estimated that twice as many Americans live in flood-prone zones than FEMA’s maps indicate, leaving many homeowners without coverage when disasters strike.
Meteorological data show nearly 10 inches of rain recorded at Washington Municipal Airport in Iowa, about 8 inches in Glouster, Ohio, and more than 6 inches in Elkhorn Creek, Kentucky. As water moves downstream, flood risk will rise for communities throughout the region, especially with further storms expected in the coming days.