Archive · 15 Aug 2026
Record Flooding and Storms Slam Indiana, Leaving 160,000 Without Power
Really big storms came to a part of the United States called the Midwest.
The storms brought lots and lots of rain, so much that rivers overflowed.
This is called flooding, and it happens when water goes where it shouldn't, like into homes and streets.
More than 160,000 homes and businesses in a state called Indiana lost their electricity.
Some people had to leave their homes to stay safe from the water.
Roads closed, and trains were slowed down too.
The leader of Indiana, Governor Mike Braun, said this was an emergency and asked for help from the country's government.
The White River, a big river in Indiana, rose to its highest level ever in some places.
In a town called Noblesville, the river went up more than 20 feet in just a few days.
More rain is on the way, so people are watching carefully to stay safe.
More than 160,000 Indiana homes and businesses remain without power after powerful storms brought record flooding.
Up to 11 inches (28 cm) of rain has fallen in Indiana, with more heavy rain expected across the Midwest and into West Virginia.
The White River reached record heights in some places, setting a record crest of 24.6 feet in Noblesville.
Indiana Governor Mike Braun declared a statewide emergency earlier this week and requested a federal declaration.
Flood watches and warnings stretch from Iowa to West Virginia, with a 40% risk of excessive rainfall in parts of Indiana, Ohio, and West Virginia on Saturday.
- Who
- Residents of Indiana and surrounding Midwest states; Indiana Governor Mike Braun; forecasters at the US Weather Prediction Center; freight rail operator CSX Corp.
- What
- Powerful storms brought record flooding that knocked out power to over 160,000 homes and businesses, forced evacuations, and closed roads in Indiana.
- When
- Earlier this week, with the emergency declared before a Saturday of elevated flood risk; the White River rose more than 20 feet since Tuesday.
- Where
- Indiana, especially along the White River in Muncie and Noblesville, with flood watches and warnings stretching from Iowa to West Virginia.
- Why
- Record rainfall of up to 11 inches, severe weather including tornadoes and wind, and overflowing rivers caused the flooding and damage.
- Power outages
- More than 160,000 homes and businesses without electricity in Indiana
- Rainfall total
- Up to 11 inches (28 cm) in Indiana
- State of emergency
- Declared by Governor Mike Braun earlier this week; federal declaration requested
- Record river crest
- White River reached 24.6 feet in Noblesville, a record
- River rise
- White River rose more than 20 feet in Noblesville since Tuesday
- Additional rain expected
- Up to 4 inches (10 cm) possible across parts of central and southern Indiana through the weekend
- Excessive rainfall risk
- 40% risk Saturday in parts of Indiana, Ohio, and West Virginia
- Flood watch area
- From Iowa to West Virginia