A string of intense thunderstorms has unleashed widespread flooding across the Midwest, and forecasters say more heavy rain is likely through at least Sunday.
The National Weather Service warned that storms will continue across the Ohio Valley, the central Midwest and parts of the Appalachians, bringing more precipitation to landscapes already saturated from earlier deluges. At least three people have died and more than 150,000 homes and businesses were reported without power on Saturday afternoon.
Indiana and Ohio have been among the hardest hit. Some communities recorded more than 11 inches of rain over the past week. In Anderson, Indiana, the White River swelled to a record 24.9 feet, breaking a flood mark that had stood since 1913.
Flash flood warnings were active across parts of central Illinois and central Indiana, while flood watches stretched from Iowa and Missouri eastward to central West Virginia. Forecasters stressed that additional storms could send already high creeks and rivers even higher, increasing the threat to downstream towns.
Indiana’s governor, Mike Braun, declared a statewide disaster emergency, mobilized state and local resources and deployed the National Guard. He also requested a presidential emergency declaration through FEMA to access federal funding and support for recovery efforts.
Besides torrential rain, some areas of Indiana have also been hit by tornadoes and a derecho during the same multi-day weather event, worsening damage to homes, businesses and infrastructure.
Locals described severe losses. Cyndee Gillmore, owner of Cornerstone Campground and Retreat Center in New Castle, said about 5 feet of water swept across her property, flooding the kitchen, banquet hall, youth center and mobile campers. She described neighbors and volunteers pitching in but worries about long-term recovery: many residents lack flood insurance and standard property policies don’t cover flood damage.
Most flood insurance in the U.S. is handled by FEMA, which maps high-risk zones and requires federally backed mortgage holders in those zones to buy coverage. But critics and investigations have shown those official maps often miss hazards from intense rainfall and flash flooding because they focus more on coastal storm surge and large river overflow. Independent analyses suggest many more Americans live in areas vulnerable to flooding than FEMA’s maps indicate, leaving homeowners and local officials unprepared and uninsured when floods strike.
Recent gauge readings underline the scale of this event: nearly 10 inches of rain was recorded at Washington Municipal Airport in Iowa, almost 8 inches in Glouster, Ohio, and more than 6 inches in Elkhorn Creek, Kentucky. The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration has warned of minor to major flooding in some locations as runoff moves into tributaries and rivers.
With additional storms forecast, communities downstream remain at heightened risk. Local officials continue to issue warnings and emergency declarations, and residents are being urged to follow safety guidance, avoid flooded roads and prepare for potential prolonged recovery needs.