UPDATE (August 24, 2026):
INDIANAPOLIS, Ind. (ADAMS) – The damage from severe storms that blasted Indiana starting August 11th could have a price tag of over $5 billion.
Governor Mike Braun has sent a request to President Trump for the expediting of a major disaster declaration after 54 counties sustained damage.
At least three tornadoes have been confirmed, and eight people were killed. Braun says he is hoping the declaration can be made quickly.
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UPDATE (August 18, 2026):
INDIANAPOLIS, Ind. (ADAMS) – Governor Mike Braun says emergency aid is now available for Hoosiers impacted by severe storm and flooding damage, along with temporary housing grants. Braun says people can call 2-1-1 to report their needs, and staffing has been increased to meet the demand.
The State Disaster Relief Fund is offering emergency aid grants up to $5,000 for food, clothes, and other basic needs for people who have been displaced. People are also being told to take pictures and videos of the damage or the work they’ve already done to their homes.
ORIGINAL STORY:
INDIANAPOLIS, Ind. (ADAMS) – At least seven Hoosiers have been killed in heavy rain and record flooding in Indiana. The storms started August 11th and have killed a four-year-old boy, three men, and three women.
A 31-year-old cyclist was found dead early Sunday in a hole that opened up on a washed-out road east of Indianapolis in Henry County.
The four-year-old was killed by a tree that crashed through his bedroom during strong winds in Jennings County. Jennings County Chief Deputy Cody Low says the child’s death “is obviously unexpected.”
Indiana Governor Mike Braun says President Donald Trump intends to approve his request for a Presidential Emergency Declaration for the storms. Braun says he and Trump have spoken about the storm, and the Federal Emergency Management Agency says federal disaster assistance is available to the state.
FEMA says it is “authorized to identify, mobilize and provide, at its discretion, equipment and resources necessary to alleviate the impacts of the emergency.”
Braun added that he does not have an official dollar amount for federal aid that might be coming, but says it is expected to be up to $5 million.
FEMA released the following:
WASHINGTON — FEMA announced today that federal disaster assistance is available to the state of Indiana to supplement state, tribal and local response efforts due to the emergency conditions resulting from severe storms, straight-line winds, tornadoes and flooding beginning on August 11, 2026, and continuing.
The President’s action authorizes FEMA to coordinate all federal disaster relief efforts to alleviate the hardship and suffering caused by the emergency on the local population, and to provide appropriate assistance to save lives, to protect property, public health and safety and to lessen or avert the threat of a catastrophe.
This assistance is for Allen, Bartholomew, Boone, Carroll, Cass, Clinton, Dearborn, Decatur, Delaware, Fayette, Fountain, Franklin, Fulton, Grant, Hamilton, Hancock, Harrison, Hendricks, Henry, Jasper, Jay, Jefferson, Jennings, Knox, Kosciusko, Lake, LaPorte, Madison, Marion, Marshall, Miami, Morgan, Newton, Orange, Owen, Parke, Perry, Pike, Porter, Pulaski, Randolph, Ripley, Rush, Shelby, St. Joseph, Starke, Tipton, Union, Wabash, Warren, Washington, Wayne and White counties.
Specifically, FEMA is authorized to identify, mobilize and provide, at its discretion, equipment and resources necessary to alleviate the impacts of the emergency. Emergency protective measures, limited to direct federal assistance, will be provided at 75% federal funding.
Darrin Ricketts has been named the Federal Coordinating Officer for federal response operations in the affected area. Designations may be made at a later date if requested by the state and warranted by the results of further damage assessments.
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