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Indiana floods turn deadly
Severe storms and flooding across Indiana killed at least five people as first responders used boats to rescue people from neighborhoods along the White River in Indianapolis, with the state hammered by heavy rains that pushed rivers to record levels.
“at least five people have died as severe weather crosses the state”
Indiana Mayor Joe Hogsett said the city was experiencing its most severe flooding in more than 30 years, and the governor’s office reported more than 350 evacuations in Delaware County while a senior mobile home community in Tipton County was being evacuated.
The Associated Press reported that the White River crested at more than 24 feet in the communities of Anderson and Noblesville, surpassing records set in 1913, and the National Weather Service reported more than 11 inches of rain fell over a two-day period in some areas.
Rita Reith, a spokesperson with the Indianapolis Fire Department, put the number of rescues at 95 people and 45 pets as of late afternoon, while dispatchers had received hundreds of calls for service throughout the day.
Indiana authorities said the deaths included a boy killed when a tree fell on his home, a woman swept away after driving into floodwaters, and a teen reported missing after jumping in to a river on Wednesday.
Officials urge evacuation as aid
At a news conference, Indianapolis Mayor Joe Hogsett and other state officials implored residents in areas at risk of flooding to heed evacuation warnings, while Indianapolis deputy fire chief Jerry Martin said, "Six inches of water can stall out any vehicle."
The Guardian reported that Mike Braun confirmed on Saturday that Donald Trump intended to approve his request for federal resources to help in response to the flooding and the recovery, as the unprecedented nature of the deluge stretched the capacity of first responders.
In Indianapolis, NBC News reported that Gov. Mike Braun said he had spoken with President Donald Trump and that an expedited FEMA emergency declaration was in process, while Braun also said, "Please continue to take flooding seriously and stay away from floodwaters."
NBC News said more than 90 people and their pets were rescued as floodwaters rose along the White River, and it described damage concentrated along the river corridor from Hamilton County into the northern Indianapolis suburbs.
Rita Reith told NBC News that the Indianapolis Fire Department put rescues at 91 people and 45 pets as of early afternoon, while forecasters with the National Weather Service warned more showers and thunderstorms would move into the area.
Power outages and next risks
As flooding continued to inundate communities and strain emergency services, more than 150,000 people were without electricity in Indiana, according to the northern Indiana public service company, while authorities warned the danger of flooding had not disappeared.
“more than 150,000 people were experiencing power outages”
NPR reported that at least three people had died and more than 150,000 were without power as of Saturday afternoon, and it said the National Weather Service predicted additional bouts of heavy rainfall through at least Sunday.
The Guardian said flooding had been observed in areas not historically affected and that flash flood warnings and watches remained in place across a swath of central Indiana, with the White River expected to crest in the Indianapolis area.
Tempo.co reported that the White River rose above 24 feet in Anderson and Noblesville, surpassing records set in 1913, and it said officials warned water levels were still rising and would be rising all day long.
With the state seeking federal aid, NPR quoted Indiana Gov. Mike Braun saying, "I will do everything in my power to protect Hoosier lives and livelihoods as we respond to this historic severe weather," as he requested a presidential emergency declaration through FEMA for federal funding and resources.
