Devastating Floods Hit Midwest; Indiana Declares Disaster Emergency
A relentless stretch of thunderstorms has brought severe flooding across Indiana, Illinois, Ohio, and surrounding states, with record water levels and ongoing storm warnings through the weekend. At least three people have died and over 150,000 lost power.
The Crisis Unfolds
A relentless stretch of thunderstorms has brought devastating flooding across the Midwest, with additional bouts of heavy rainfall expected through at least Sunday. Indiana Gov. Mike Braun declared a disaster emergency as 250,000 people in his state and Illinois woke to power outages caused by the storms.
At least three people have died and more than 150,000 were without power as of Saturday afternoon. Indiana and Ohio have been among the hardest-hit states, with rainfall totaling more than 11 inches in some areas over the past week. The White River in Anderson, Ind., rose to a record 24.9 feet, surpassing a flood mark that has stood since 1913.
What's Coming
The NWS is predicting widespread storms this weekend through the Ohio Valley, Midwest and central Appalachians, bringing additional precipitation to already saturated areas that had just started to see floodwater recede. Rainfall across Kentucky, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa and Tennessee could be persistent and widespread, potentially drenching parts of each state with another 4 inches or more.
Insurance and Recovery Concerns
Many properties affected by disasters are turning up outside FEMA's floodplains. When Hurricane Helene struck western North Carolina in 2024, 98% of the damaged homes were not included in FEMA's maps. Because flood insurance wasn't required in those areas, most homeowners had no coverage to claim.
If you live in Indiana, Illinois, Ohio, Iowa, Kentucky, or Tennessee and are renting or own property, check your flood insurance coverage immediately—many homes lie outside official floodplain maps but are still at risk. Renters should document their belongings and understand what their renter's or homeowner's insurance covers. If you are considering moving to the Midwest, consult FEMA flood maps and local emergency management before signing a lease.
Sources
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