OAN Staff Katherine Mosack
11:30 AM – Friday, August 12, 2026
Floodwaters in central and east-central Indiana have hit record levels, submerging neighborhoods and shopping centers across multiple counties.
Back during Indiana’s historic flood of 1913, the White River crested at 23 feet. By Friday morning, water levels had surged past 24 feet, shattering the century-old record.
Governor Mike Braun (R-Ind.) declared a state of emergency on Thursday, noting that he mobilized the Indiana National Guard to provide additional support to Gary, Munster, and Hobart, Indiana.
Braun emphasized that although officials knew a storm was coming, they were still caught off guard by the magnitude. He said officials were “ready to go” following tornadoes in the northwest, but they “didn’t anticipate record rainfall.”
In some places, the waters appear to exceed the 1% chance of being equaled or exceeded in any given year, meaning it has potential to be considered a “100-year flood.”
The severe flooding caused a section of westbound I-70 in Wayne County to buckle and wash away, forcing a temporary detour before emergency crews repaired the highway.
Madison County has since activated an orange travel watch, meaning drivers could face hazardous road conditions. Therefore, only essential travel — such as for work or emergencies — is recommended.
Madison County EMA Director Lynn Edens reported to FOX59 that the White River had surged to near 25 feet, prompting the Mayor of Anderson to issue mandatory evacuation orders for affected addresses across the city.
As local police officers positioned themselves to assist remaining residents with emergency evacuations, outside aid arrived from the Lafayette Fire Department, which deployed emergency personnel and water rescue resources to support ongoing relief operations.
“The Lafayette Fire Department is proud to support our neighboring communities and the state of Indiana during this critical event,” the release said. “Our personnel are working alongside partner agencies to provide assistance where it is needed most. We appreciate the commitment of the firefighters, law enforcement personnel and emergency responders who have responded quickly and are dedicating their time and expertise to these operations.”
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