Indiana Flooding: White River Hits Record, Every Community in County Affected
Historic flooding in Indiana's Hamilton County has impacted every community, with the White River setting a new record and recovery underway.
Days of relentless rain have pushed Indiana's White River to a record high, leaving widespread damage and displacement across Hamilton County. Officials confirm that every community in the county has been affected, with many residents forced from their homes.
In Carmel, Mayor Sue Finkam reported that approximately 215 properties were impacted by the flooding. Emergency crews relocated 40 residents from their homes, and an additional 14 residents and staff were evacuated from Bigford Senior Living, a facility that provides assisted living and memory care.
Chad Knecht, Executive Director of Hamilton County Emergency Operations, noted that while the rain has stopped and the river is receding, the recovery will be a long process. "The hazards are still there, the challenges are still there," he said, emphasizing the collaborative effort among state, local, county, and federal agencies.
The White River crested at 24.6 feet, surpassing the previous record of 23.8 feet set in 1913. The river has since dropped to 21 feet and continues to fall, but Knecht warned that roads, though drier, still pose dangers. He also highlighted that the county's growth since 1923 means the challenges today are different, even as the river level breaks records.
Northern communities in Hamilton County, including smaller towns outside corporate limits, have seen evacuations. "Every community within Hamilton County has been impacted," Knecht said, pledging to address the needs of all displaced residents with available resources.
Statewide, at least six deaths have been attributed to the flooding. The White River also crested at more than 24 feet in Anderson and Noblesville, setting new records. About 130,000 utility customers remained without power by midday Sunday, down from a peak of around 300,000.
The National Weather Service warned of continued heavy rain and flash flooding in central Indiana, urging residents to stay out of fast-moving waters. Roads and bridges across the state have been seriously damaged or washed out, complicating recovery efforts.