Historic Flooding Breaks 1913 Record on Indiana's White River

Indiana is reeling from what Gov. Mike Braun called a bigger event than anyone forecasted, as record flooding tied to this week's storms swamped homes and businesses, destroyed a stretch of interstate, and left at least one person missing.

White River Surpasses a Flood Record Set in 1913

The White River reached more than 24 feet Friday morning, surpassing the 23-foot level recorded during the historic 1913 flood, according to Braun. Rivers across the state were still rising as of Friday following days of storms and flash flooding.

Braun said officials knew a storm was coming but didn't anticipate the scale of what followed. After tornadoes touched down in the northwest part of the state earlier in the week, he said crews were prepared to respond, but the record rainfall that followed caught forecasters off guard. The storms first hit the densely populated northwest before sweeping south, where the most severe flooding has since unfolded.

The flooding took out 125 feet of Interstate 70, one of the busiest interstate corridors in the country. The Indiana Department of Transportation repaired the damaged section in a two-day turnaround, according to Braun.

Governor Declares Statewide Emergency as Rescues Continue

Braun has issued a statewide disaster emergency, and some cities have implemented curfews as flooding continues to affect communities. Homes have been destroyed, and shopping plazas and vehicles have been left submerged in floodwater.

At least one person remains missing, Braun said. The Indiana National Guard has been mobilized to assist with water rescues, with Braun saying the state has "everything mobilized as you can get" to respond to the disaster.

What's Next

Braun said his immediate concerns are the displaced families and the businesses and homes still sitting in flooded areas. Rivers across the state remained elevated as of Friday, and recovery efforts are expected to continue as authorities work to account for the missing and assess the full scope of the damage.

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