INDIANA — Storms flooded Nettle Creek and other parts of eastern and central Indiana, including Indianapolis. The death toll from the floods is seven.

City inspection teams have completed more than 1,300 inspections of homes and businesses. Alena Jones is the deputy director of the Indianapolis Department of Business and Neighborhood Services. "Right now we’re making sure we get out to as many impacted areas as possible as quickly as possible," Jones said.

Matthew Morey, a prospective Purdue University student, died in floodwaters in Delaware County. Angelo Johnson lives near the White River in Indianapolis. Angelo Johnson was rescued after floodwater levels rose about eight feet.

Rapid water removal from basements can change pressure between the inside and outside of a foundation, potentially causing additional damage. U.S. News ranks Indiana last in environmental quality.

Indiana residents are exposed to twice as many drinking water violations as the national average. Indiana residents are exposed to four times the industrial pollutants as the national average. Legal protections for remaining wetlands in Indiana were recently stripped.

Why It Matters

FEMA has issued 286 federal disaster declarations for flood incidents in Indiana since the programme began. The most recent was SEVERE STORMS, STRAIGHT-LINE WINDS, TORNADOES, AND FLOODING, declared for an incident beginning 2026-08-11 (disaster 3651).

The Indiana Department of Homeland Security is assessing needs in northwest Indiana and central Indiana, with Jonathan Whitham stating that the state is working to collect information needed to request a major disaster declaration from President Donald Trump, which is expected to be submitted within the next 24 to 48 hours. Days of storms and flooding in Indiana left at least seven people dead as of August 11, with floodwaters receding in Indianapolis’ White River and rains easing in other parts of the state on Sunday, according to the Indiana Department of Homeland Security.

Timeline

In 2022, the Indy Star reported that Indiana has nearly 25,000 miles of rivers and streams, more than any other state. In 2022, the Indy Star reported that 99% of lakes and reservoirs designated for drinking water in Indiana tested too polluted for recreation, fish consumption, aquatic life, and drinking water.

As of August 21, city officials documented 552 residential properties with flood damage in Indianapolis. As of August 21, 183 residential properties showed signs of cosmetic damage. The estimated monetary cost of flood damage for commercial properties in Indianapolis is around $1.6 million.

The estimated cost of residential flood damage in Indianapolis is $36 million. As of August 21, inspectors had documented 236 homes with structural damage unsafe to inhabit and four homes destroyed beyond repair. As of August 21, 129 residential properties had issues like broken windows but were safe to inhabit with minor repairs.

What's New

Abbey Brands is the director of the Indianapolis Department of Business and Neighborhood Services.

The Indiana Department of Homeland Security, through spokesperson Liz Woods, reported that a 4-year-old boy, three men, and three women had died since the storms began on August 11, and the city Department of Public Works stated that flooding from the White River peaked early Sunday morning before receding.

"Right now we’re making sure we get out to as many impacted areas as possible as quickly as possible."