Update on Severe Flooding in Central Indiana

Recent floods in central and southeastern Indiana have reached unprecedented levels, inundating neighborhoods and shopping areas across several counties.

Reflecting back on Indiana’s devastating flood in 1913, when the White River peaked at 23 feet, this time, the water has surged past that, hitting over 24 feet and shattering a century-old record.

In light of this crisis, Governor Mike Brown declared a state of emergency on Thursday and announced that the Indiana National Guard would be deployed to support the affected areas including Gary, Munster, and Hobart.

Brown indicated that, while officials were aware of the impending storm, they were still somewhat blindsided by its intensity. They had done their due diligence post-tornadoes in the northwest but didn’t quite anticipate such extreme rainfall.

In fact, some areas are now facing a situation where there’s a more than 1% chance of encountering similar water levels annually, which raises concerns about it being classified as a “100-year flood.”

The severe flooding has severely disrupted traffic as well, with portions of westbound Interstate 70 in Wayne County buckling and eroding, necessitating a detour until it can be repaired by emergency teams.

Due to these conditions, Madison County has issued an orange travel advisory, indicating that drivers might encounter hazardous road situations. As a result, only essential trips—like those for work or emergencies—are suggested.

As the White River approached nearly 25 feet, Madison County EMA Director Lynn Edens reported that Mayor Anderson ordered mandatory evacuations for certain locations in the city.

Local police are preparing to assist with evacuating the remaining residents, and help has also come from the Lafayette Fire Department, which dispatched emergency and water rescue teams to support ongoing relief efforts.

“The Lafayette Fire Department is proud to support our neighboring communities and the state of Indiana during this critical event,” stated the release. “Our personnel are collaborating with partner agencies to deliver the necessary assistance. We appreciate the commitment of our firefighters, law enforcement, and first responders who act quickly and share their expertise during such efforts.”