At least five people have died in Indiana after severe storms and flooding battered the state this week, while rescuers used boats Saturday to evacuate residents from neighborhoods along the White River in Indianapolis.
Heavy rains pushed rivers to record levels, forcing residents to higher ground. More than a dozen counties declared local disasters, with much of the latest damage reported along river corridors from Hamilton County to northern Indianapolis suburbs. President Donald Trump approved an emergency declaration, making federal disaster assistance available, Federal Emergency Management Agency said.
Indianapolis Mayor Joe Hogsett said the city was facing its worst flooding in more than 30 years. Hundreds of homes were evacuated, while the Indianapolis Fire Department rescued 95 people and 45 pets by late afternoon. Hundreds of emergency calls were received.
More than 350 evacuations occurred in Delaware County, while a senior mobile home community in Tipton County was evacuated. Rescues and welfare checks continued in Fayette County.
The five deaths included a boy killed when a tree fell on his home, a woman swept away after driving into floodwaters and a teen who went missing after jumping into a river Wednesday.
Gov. Mike Braun expressed condolences and urged residents to avoid floodwaters.
The National Weather Service said some areas received more than 11 inches of rain in two days. The White River rose above 24 feet in Anderson and Noblesville, breaking records set in 1913.
Flood warnings remained across central Indiana, with the river expected to crest in Indianapolis Saturday evening. National Guard vehicles assisted rescue operations.
Severe weather earlier in the week also caused tornadoes, heavy rain and flash flooding across the Midwest, with damage reported from the Chicago area to western Pennsylvania. Some Indiana residents remained without power.
In Noblesville, floodwaters submerged homes, vehicles, roads, parking lots, cornfields, a memorial and a flower garden. Historic Potter's Bridge remained standing.
Matt Doudt, City photographer, said the flooding resulted from heavy rainfall upstream. Despite extensive damage, he said no lives were lost in Noblesville and everyone was rescued.