Six dead as historic floods batter Indiana, US midwest
Photo: Reuters.
At least six people have died in the US state of Indiana as severe storms and catastrophic flooding wreak havoc across the Midwest. Rescue operations remain underway to reach residents still trapped in their homes, following a week of torrential downpours that have inundated large swathes of the state.
Governor Mike Brown made an urgent appeal to the White House on Friday, requesting a presidential emergency declaration—a move that would unlock additional federal resources for the stricken region. By Saturday, he confirmed that the federal government had pledged its support.
In a social media post, Governor Brown wrote: "I spoke with President Donald Trump today about the severe storms and historic flooding in Indiana. He indicated his willingness to approve our request for a presidential emergency declaration."
With floodwaters engulfing neighbourhoods, emergency personnel have taken to boats to pull stranded residents to safety. Rivers across the state—including Indianapolis's White River—have been flowing well above flood stage throughout the past week.
Indianapolis Mayor Joe Hogsett has described the situation as the most severe flooding the area has witnessed in over 30 years. The National Weather Service reported that some locations received more than 280 millimetres (approximately 11 inches) of rain in just two days.
In Delaware County, sheriff's deputies recovered the body of a 58-year-old woman on Friday. She is believed to have perished while attempting to drive through floodwaters. Authorities have repeatedly warned motorists against entering submerged roads, stressing that vehicles can easily become trapped or swept away.
Separately, a 4-year-old child was killed in Jennings County after a tree collapsed onto a house. Law enforcement also recovered the body of a missing teenager, who had been unaccounted for since jumping into a river last Wednesday.
Offering his condolences, Governor Brown said: "My heart goes out to the families and loved ones of the six Hoosiers we have lost to this storm, as well as to all the families whose lives have been turned upside down. Please take this flooding seriously and stay away from the water."
Source: Al Jazeera
