From August 11–17, 2026, a historic severe weather and flooding event impacted communities across Northwest, Central, and East-Central Indiana. The event began August 11 when a powerful derecho crossed northern Indiana, producing widespread 70–100+ mph winds, extensive tree and utility damage, and prolonged power outages. A 99 mph wind gust was recorded at Gary/Chicago International Airport, while damage assessments indicate portions of northern Lake and Porter Counties may have experienced winds of 100–110 mph.
Repeated thunderstorms then produced significant rainfall across Central and East-Central Indiana, with some areas receiving more than a foot of rain. Historic flooding followed along the White River and its tributaries.
The White River reached a record 24.93 feet at Anderson and a record 24.60 feet at Noblesville. At Nora in Indianapolis, the river reached 21.18 feet — its highest level since the historic 1913 flood.
Preliminary statewide assessments have documented approximately 1,740 damaged structures, including:
Hundreds of residents were evacuated, and homes, roads, businesses, utilities, and public infrastructure sustained significant damage.
As response transitions into recovery, physical damage alone does not tell the full story. Some heavily impacted communities have strong volunteer and nonprofit networks, while others face greater vulnerability and fewer recovery resources.
Current recovery planning estimates indicate approximately 300–550 households statewide may require long-term recovery navigation, with 150–300 potentially needing substantial repair coordination, construction assistance, or funding-gap support.
Historic flooding impacted communities along the White River and surrounding waterways.
At Anderson, the White River reached a record 24.93 feet. In Hamilton County, the river reached a record 24.60 feet at Noblesville, flooding neighborhoods and damaging infrastructure. At Nora in Indianapolis, the river reached 21.18 feet.
Indianapolis neighborhoods including Ravenswood and Rocky Ripple experienced significant flooding. Ravenswood has emerged as an area of particular recovery concern because severe physical damage overlaps with vulnerable residents and a developing recovery network.
Recovery efforts are increasingly focused on muck-out, home assessments, case management, repair coordination, and identifying households that may fall between insurance, FEMA assistance, and available nonprofit resources.
Lake, Porter, and LaPorte Counties sustained significant damage from the August 11 derecho.
Destructive winds brought down trees and utility lines, damaged homes and vehicles, blocked roads, and caused widespread power outages. NIPSCO reports approximately 375,000 customers — about 80% of its electric customers — lost power, making this the worst storm damage in the utility's known history.
Portions of Northwest Indiana remained without power for more than two weeks. Gary, Portage, Porter, Chesterton, and surrounding communities continue transitioning from debris removal and utility restoration into home repair and longer-term recovery.
Churches, nonprofits, disaster-response organizations, emergency management agencies, and volunteers continue supporting impacted communities.
Serve Source continues providing visibility across the response and helping connect organizations, resources, and unmet needs as communities move into long-term recovery.
Indianapolis • Ravenswood • Rocky Ripple • Nora
The White River reached 21.18 feet at Nora, its highest level since 1913, contributing to significant flooding across northern Indianapolis.
Ravenswood experienced severe flooding and is emerging as an important long-term recovery area because of the combination of significant damage, vulnerable residents, and a developing recovery network. Glendale Christian Church has become an important neighborhood relief connection.
Rocky Ripple also faced significant flood exposure but demonstrated strong resident-led response through sandbagging, levee monitoring, and neighborhood coordination.
Current Focus: Cleanup, survivor navigation, case management, mold prevention, and home repair.
Anderson and surrounding communities
The White River reached a record 24.93 feet at Anderson, exceeding the previous record from 1913. Approximately 400 residents were evacuated, with significant impacts to homes, roads, businesses, and infrastructure.
Convoy of Hope, Northview Church, and other partners have provided significant relief. Attention is increasingly shifting toward helping affected households move from immediate assistance into case management and long-term repair.
Current Focus: Long-term recovery navigation, home assessments, construction coordination, and assistance for uninsured or underinsured households.
New Castle and surrounding communities
Henry County experienced extreme rainfall and flooding, with approximately 300 residents evacuated and significant residential and infrastructure impacts. Floodwaters washed out a section of Riley Road when a culvert failed near New Castle.
Despite significant impact, the documented voluntary-agency response footprint appears smaller than in several other heavily affected areas, making Henry County important to monitor for emerging unmet needs.
Current Focus: Survivor identification, cleanup, case management, volunteer mobilization, and home repair.
Noblesville • Fishers • Riverwood
The White River reached a record 24.60 feet at Noblesville, exceeding the previous 1913 record and flooding neighborhoods and infrastructure.
Hamilton County has developed one of the strongest organized recovery networks. SERVE Village mobilized more than 1,400 volunteers by August 21, supported by Good Samaritan Network, local churches, nonprofits, emergency management, and community volunteers.
Hamilton County's local disaster declaration has been extended through September 3 as recovery continues.
Current Focus: Remaining cleanup, case management, home repair, volunteer coordination, and unmet-needs support.
Muncie • Yorktown and surrounding communities
Repeated heavy rainfall produced significant flash flooding across Delaware County. Approximately 200 residents were evacuated, with impacts to homes, roads, vehicles, and infrastructure.
Two of Indiana's confirmed disaster-related fatalities occurred in Delaware County.
Current Focus: Muck-out, mold prevention, damage assessments, home repair, and long-term recovery.
Gary • Hammond • East Chicago • Merrillville • Crown Point
Lake County was among the areas hardest hit by the derecho. A 99 mph wind gust was recorded at Gary/Chicago International Airport, while NWS assessments indicate winds may have reached 100–110 mph across portions of northern Lake and Porter Counties.
Extensive tree, utility, residential, and property damage occurred throughout the area. One confirmed disaster-related fatality occurred in Lake County.
Current Focus: Tree and debris removal, home repair, and longer-term recovery.
Portage • Valparaiso • Porter • Chesterton
Porter County experienced extreme derecho winds and widespread tree damage. NWS assessments found particularly severe impacts around Portage, where some forested areas lost more than 80% of their tree canopy and numerous power poles were snapped.
One confirmed disaster-related fatality occurred in Porter County.
Current Focus: Debris and tree removal, residential repairs, volunteer support, and recovery assistance.
La Porte • Michigan City and surrounding communities
LaPorte County experienced significant wind, tree, utility, and property damage during the August 11 storms.
One confirmed disaster-related fatality occurred in LaPorte County.
Current Focus: Debris removal, residential repair, and household assistance.
Winchester • Farmland • Parker City
Repeated heavy rainfall produced significant flash flooding across portions of Randolph County, impacting homes, roads, agricultural areas, and infrastructure.
Current Focus: Residential cleanup, damage assessment, agricultural recovery, and home repair.
Richmond and surrounding communities
Wayne County experienced repeated heavy rainfall and flash flooding, resulting in flooded roads, homes, businesses, and low-lying areas.
Current Focus: Flood cleanup, home assessments, mold prevention, and residential repair.
Winamac and surrounding communities
Pulaski County experienced significant rainfall and flooding affecting roads, agricultural areas, low-lying properties, and residences.
Current Focus: Property cleanup, agricultural recovery, and household assistance.
Tipton and surrounding communities
Heavy rainfall and flooding impacted roads, properties, agricultural areas, and drainage systems throughout portions of Tipton County.
Current Focus: Flood cleanup, agricultural assessment, property repair, and recovery.
Flora • Camden and surrounding communities
Damaging winds and severe weather caused widespread utility disruption, tree damage, and property impacts. Flora and Camden experienced complete power outages during portions of the event.
Current Focus: Debris removal, property recovery, and residential repair.
Additional damage and recovery needs have been documented across Dearborn, Decatur, Fayette, Franklin, Hancock, Morgan, Rush, Union, and other Indiana counties.
Needs will continue to evolve as FEMA and insurance claims are processed and households move from cleanup into repair and rebuilding.
A federal Major Disaster Declaration was approved August 25, making Individual and Public Assistance available to designated counties.
Residents should continue to document damage, contact their insurance provider, report storm damage through Indiana 211, and apply for available disaster assistance.
As the response moves into long-term recovery, identifying households that fall between insurance, FEMA, government assistance, and nonprofit resources will become increasingly important.
Serve Source will continue monitoring recovery operations, identifying unmet needs, and connecting churches, nonprofits, and response partners with communities where additional support is needed.
Indiana Department of Homeland Security — August 2026 Disaster
State situation updates, fatalities, disaster assistance, Indiana 211 reporting, and recovery resources.
https://www.in.gov/dhs/emergency-management-and-preparedness/august-2026-disaster
Indiana Major Disaster Declaration Request
Statewide preliminary damage assessments, evacuations, infrastructure impacts, and disaster documentation.
https://www.in.gov/dhs/files/IN%20Exp%20Gov%20Req%20Aug%2020%2C%202026.pdf
National Weather Service Indianapolis — Record Flooding of August 2026
White River crests, rainfall, flood reports, road washouts, and historical comparisons.
https://www.weather.gov/ind/august2026flooding
National Weather Service Chicago — August 11 Derecho
Northwest Indiana derecho assessment, Gary's 99 mph gust, estimated 100–110 mph winds, and Lake/Porter County damage.
https://www.weather.gov/lot/2026_08_11_Derecho
NIPSCO — Storm Restoration Update
Utility impacts and restoration following the August 11 derecho.
https://www.nipsco.com/our-company/news-room/news-article/nipsco-completing-storm-restoration-work
American Red Cross — Indiana Severe Weather & Flood Response
Sheltering, feeding, volunteer mobilization, relief supplies, and recovery support.
Convoy of Hope — Indiana Flood Response
Disaster-relief operations and supplies for affected Indiana communities.
Hamilton County — Flood Recovery Update
Current recovery operations and extension of the local disaster declaration.
https://www.hamiltoncounty.in.gov/m/newsflash/Home/Detail/2818
Axios Indianapolis — SERVE Village Flood Recovery
Hamilton County volunteer response and SERVE Village mobilization.
Axios Indianapolis — Ravenswood Flood Recovery
Neighborhood-level reporting on severe flooding and recovery needs in Ravenswood.
https://www.axios.com/local/indianapolis/2026/08/18/help-needed-ravenswood-flood-cleanup
Partner & Recovery Intelligence