Governor Mike Braun Declares Statewide Disaster Emergency as Historic Flooding Lashes the Midwest
Governor Mike Braun has declared a statewide disaster emergency in Indiana to address historic severe weather that has left at least three people dead and over 150,000 residents without power. Relentless thunderstorms and a deadly derecho have saturated the Midwest, causing rivers to swell and flash floods to inundate homes and businesses. In Indiana, the White River rose to a record 24.9 feet, surpassing a flood mark that stood since 1913. Governor Mike Braun has mobilized the Indiana National Guard and requested a presidential emergency declaration through FEMA for federal funding. While many residents face significant financial losses, an investigation revealed that many properties were hit outside of FEMA's official floodplains, leaving many homeowners without insurance coverage. The National Weather Service predicts additional heavy rainfall through the weekend, with millions across the Ohio Valley and Midwest remaining under flood watches as the region continues to recover from the deluge.
Sources
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The Midwest braces for more heavy flooding, as Indiana seeks federal aid
NPR
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Midwest braces for even more rounds of flooding rain this weekend
CNN
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Flash flooding targets millions as threat expands across Midwest, Ohio Valley following days of severe weather
FOX Weather
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Flood watch issued for central Ohio after storms, 'damaging winds' forecast
The Columbus Dispatch
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Scattered rain chances this weekend for Greater Cincinnati
WLWT