Residents in Indianapolis found themselves navigating flooded neighborhoods by kayak on Sunday, August 16, 2026, as the state grappled with historic flooding. At least six people lost their lives due to the severe weather affecting multiple counties.
The flooding emerged after parts of Indiana experienced over 11 inches of rain over three days starting on August 11, according to the National Weather Service. Although some of the most affected areas began recovery efforts, more severe weather was forecasted for late Sunday, posing additional flood risks in already-stricken areas.
Indianapolis Mayor Joe Hogsett declared on social media that this flooding marks the city’s most severe in over 30 years. However, as water levels began to decrease, the Indianapolis Department of Public Works reopened some flood gates. They assured the public that engineering teams would closely watch flood-control systems to ensure they function as expected, while crews worked to remove debris flow blockages.
“As the water levels recede, crews will continue to complete regular checks on infrastructure and make further determinations on additional gate openings,” the department stated in its Sunday update.
Flood warnings persisted along the White River in Anderson, the Wabash River, and the East Fork White River. The White River reached a record height of 24.9 feet. Additionally, over 128,000 residents across Indiana faced power outages as of Sunday afternoon, NIPSCO reported. Restoration efforts are ongoing, and communities rallied together to support one another amid the crisis.
In Rocky Ripple, northwest of Indianapolis, hundreds gathered with shovels and sandbags at a volleyball court to fortify the town’s levee. Margaret Brabant, a long-time resident, coordinated the volunteers, many of whom came from outside Rocky Ripple. Brabant expressed her gratitude for the overwhelming show of generosity from the community.
President Donald Trump authorized an emergency declaration on Saturday, enabling the Federal Emergency Management Agency to aid in recovery efforts across Indiana. Additionally, heavy rainfall and potential flooding were forecasted for West Virginia, as noted by the National Weather Service.
This report was supported by contributions from NPR’s Laura Sullivan.
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