Braun says federal emergency declaration expected as Indiana reels from historic flooding

Indiana Governor Mike Braun said federal assistance is on the way after days of heavy rain and flash flooding across Central Indiana that forced evacuations, closed roads and prompted local disaster declarations.

What Braun announced

At a news conference on Saturday, Braun said he spoke with President Donald Trump and that the president “intends to approve the Governor’s request for a Presidential Emergency Declaration,” adding that he expects FEMA to be mobilized to support response operations. Braun’s office issued a news release conveying the same message.

On-the-ground impact in Central Indiana

Creeks and streams rose to historic levels after multiple days of heavy rain, and communities along the White River experienced continuing flood warnings. Local officials declared emergencies and began evacuations in several areas, including parts of Indianapolis and surrounding counties, as record or near-record water levels inundated neighborhoods and forced residents from their homes.

Evacuations and local action

Indianapolis Mayor Joe Hogsett declared a local disaster emergency and city officials began evacuations in low-lying neighborhoods affected by rapid rises in water. Other jurisdictions across Central Indiana also moved to evacuate residents and open shelters as water crested in rivers and streams.

Federal response and cautions

Braun said federal support would help cover immediate emergency response costs. Local officials and state leaders emphasized the need for caution: flash flooding remains a threat and authorities urged residents to avoid low-water crossings and follow evacuation orders.

Scams and safety notices

Law enforcement and the Indiana attorney general warned residents to be vigilant about imposters. Police in Cambridge City said individuals had been seen claiming to be FEMA representatives in that Wayne County area; the department said there was no FEMA presence there and urged people to ask for credentials and report suspicious canvassers to 911. Indiana Attorney General Todd Rokita also cautioned Hoosiers to verify credentials before providing information to anyone claiming to be a federal responder.

Timeline of the recent events

1. Aug. 11: A derecho moved across parts of Indiana, prompting initial warnings and damage that preceded later flooding.
2. Aug. 14–15: Multiple days of heavy rain pushed creeks and streams to historic highs; the National Weather Service issued numerous flood warnings and watches across the region.
3. Aug. 14–15: Local leaders, including Indianapolis’ mayor, declared emergencies and began evacuations in low-lying neighborhoods; shelters were opened for displaced residents.
4. Aug. 15: Governor Braun spoke with President Trump and publicly said the president intended to approve a Presidential Emergency Declaration to mobilize FEMA resources.

Unresolved points and verification

Braun and his office said the president “intends to approve” the emergency declaration and that FEMA would be mobilized; Fox59 and USA Today reported those remarks. As of the most recent reporting in those outlets, the formal presidential action and the specific scope and timing of federal resources had not been detailed in government documents released to the public. FEMA’s on-the-ground deployments and the exact list of eligible emergency costs will be defined after the federal determination is finalized.

What this means for Hoosiers

If the presidential emergency declaration is issued, state and local governments typically gain access to federal funding and logistical support for emergency operations such as water rescues, debris removal and power restoration. Residents in flooded areas should follow local evacuation orders, monitor official channels for shelter and assistance information, and guard against fraud by verifying credentials of anyone offering aid or asking for personal information.

Sources and reporting notes

This article is based on contemporaneous reporting by Fox59 and USA Today. The Fox59 report summarized remarks from Governor Braun’s news conference about the expected federal declaration. USA Today’s live coverage provided on-the-ground details about flood warnings, evacuations across Central Indiana and warnings about fraud and imposters following the derecho and heavy rains. Quotations in this article are attributed to those reports.

We will update this story as officials release the formal presidential declaration and as FEMA or state agencies publish details on the scope of federal assistance.