Five dead in Indiana as ‘once-in-a-lifetime’ flooding swallows homes - and water ‘is still rising’

Five dead in Indiana as ‘once-in-a-lifetime’ flooding swallows homes - and water ‘is still rising’ Gov. Mike Braun has requested a presidential emergency declaration to secure federal resources following record rainfall - Bookmark - CommentsGo to comments At least five people have died in flooding across Indiana this week, state authorities said, as emergency responders worked Saturday to rescue residents from rising waters along the White River in Indianapolis. The state has suffered heavy rains over the past week, resulting in rivers and creeks overflowing. Gov. Mike Braun said Saturday that President Donald Trump plans to approve his request for federal assistance to aid response and recovery efforts. Expressing sympathy for families who lost loved ones, Gov. Braun urged residents to take the flooding seriously and stay clear of floodwaters. More than 90 people and their pets were rescued Saturday as waters rose along the White River in Indianapolis, with central Indiana authorities responding to historic flooding. Damage has been concentrated along the river corridor from Hamilton County into the northern Indianapolis suburbs. To the east in Delaware County, sheriff deputies on Friday found the body of a 58-year-old woman believed to have died after trying to drive through floodwaters. Indianapolis Mayor Joe Hogsett was joined by emergency managers at a briefing Saturday as he urged residents near the river to evacuate. He declared a local emergency a day earlier after heavy rains caused streams to swell. "This is one of those once-in-a-lifetime type floods," Jacob Spence, director of Marion County Emergency Management, told The Associated Press. "So yeah, this is an unprecedented event and unfortunately we're setting some new records." Gov. Mike Braun requested a presidential emergency declaration to secure federal resources following record rainfall. The National Weather Service reported that over 11 inches (28 centimeters) of rain fell within two days in some areas. The White River crested above 24 feet (7.32 meters) in Anderson and Noblesville, breaking records set in 1913. Flash-flood warnings and watches covered central Indiana on Saturday, with forecasters warning that more showers and thunderstorms would move through the area. In Warren County, 2 inches of rain fell in six hours. Forecasters expected the White River to crest Saturday evening in Indianapolis, where National Guard vehicles aided rescue efforts. Rita Reith, a spokesperson with the Indianapolis Fire Department, put the total at 91 people and 45 pets rescued by early afternoon. "The water is still rising, so heed the warnings," said Todd Wilson, director of the city's public works department. Social media videos showed stranded vehicles, fallen power poles, and flooded intersections. Earlier this week, severe storms caused damage across the Midwest, bringing tornadoes and flash flooding from the Chicago area to western Pennsylvania. Join our commenting forum Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies Comments