INDIANAPOLIS — Gov. Mike Braun asked President Donald Trump on Friday for a presidential emergency declaration, seeking federal resources for Indiana communities battered by a week of severe storms, record flooding and tornadoes.
Braun said in a news release that he had already mobilized state and local resources, declared a statewide disaster emergency and deployed the Indiana National Guard, and that federal assistance would strengthen those efforts and deliver direct aid to affected communities. The request asks the Federal Emergency Management Agency to send additional support.
The governor signed Executive Order 26-21 on Thursday, declaring the statewide emergency. The order finds that state assistance is needed to supplement local resources and directs the Indiana Department of Homeland Security to enlist other state agencies and coordinate aid among federal, state and local authorities.
The storms began Aug. 11 and included flooding, tornadoes and a derecho, according to the state. The Indiana Department of Homeland Security elevated the State Emergency Operations Center from daily operations to emergency conditions, deployed mobile radio towers, sent three recovery teams to northwest Indiana and assigned an incident management team to Franklin County. State agencies have fielded requests for boats and personnel for water rescues, heavy equipment and crews for debris removal, and traffic control.
The damage has been widespread. Floodwaters washed away portions of westbound Interstate 70 in Wayne County, and the state transportation department worked to reopen the road Friday. Rivers in eastern Indiana rose to record or near-record levels. Officials in Tipton recommended evacuations in part of the city after county commissioners declared a local disaster emergency. In Delaware County, emergency managers warned that floodwaters had picked up sewage, gasoline and other contaminants.
The American Red Cross and partner organizations have opened shelters across the state. Indiana 211 has been activated for Franklin, Henry, Lake, LaPorte, Madison, Newton, Pike, Porter and Pulaski counties so residents can report property damage.
Flood warnings for several rivers in Bartholomew County remain in effect through Monday, according to the National Weather Service.