(Indianapolis, IN) — Indiana is set to receive up to $5 million in federal assistance as the state continues responding to widespread flooding and severe weather that has killed five people.
Gov. Mike Braun announced Saturday that President Donald Trump intends to approve Indiana’s request for a Presidential Emergency Declaration following a phone call between the two earlier in the day.
The declaration would provide up to $5 million to help cover eligible emergency response costs, including water rescues, sandbagging, evacuations and shelters, emergency supplies, medical transportation and efforts to move equipment and resources into affected communities.
“My heart is with the families and loved ones of the five Hoosiers we have lost and every family whose life has been changed by these storms,” Braun said.
He urged residents to continue taking flooding seriously and stay away from floodwaters.
Indiana’s State Emergency Operations Center remains activated at Level III as state agencies, the Indiana National Guard and local officials coordinate response and recovery efforts.
Seventy-two Indiana National Guard personnel have been activated, along with 48 Indiana Department of Natural Resources officers. Indiana Department of Transportation crews continue monitoring roads, clearing debris and determining when roads can safely reopen.
Statewide power outages had fallen to approximately 160,000 Saturday, down from a peak of more than 300,000. Most remaining outages were concentrated in Lake County.
In southeastern Indiana, power was restored Friday in Laurel in Franklin County. State officials said damage assessments and recovery planning are beginning in parts of the region as floodwaters recede.
Response efforts remain active elsewhere in the state. More than 350 evacuations have taken place in Delaware County, while responders in Fayette County continue conducting rescues and welfare checks. Evacuations were also underway Saturday in parts of Marion and Tipton counties.
Braun declared a statewide disaster emergency Thursday and requested the presidential emergency declaration through FEMA on Friday.
Local disaster declarations have been issued in a number of counties, including Dearborn and Franklin counties, along with Carroll, Delaware, Fayette, Hamilton, Henry, Lake, Madison, Marion, Porter, Pulaski, Putnam, Tipton and Wayne counties.
State officials say agencies will remain engaged with communities as Indiana shifts from immediate emergency response toward recovery.
