Young Applauds President Trump’s Approval of Major Disaster Declaration to Address August Storms

INDIANAPOLIS - Today, U.S. Senator Todd Young (R-Ind.) applauded President Donald Trump's decision to approve Governor Mike Braun's August 20, 2026, request for a major disaster declaration following severe storms, tornadoes, and flooding in Indiana that began on August 11.

"This federal assistance is much needed and will strengthen ongoing local and state efforts," said Senator Young. "I want to thank President Trump for approving Governor Braun's request and providing additional support to Hoosiers. I am also grateful to the first responders, law enforcement, state and local officials, utility crews, linemen, and so many others who continue working to help communities recover and rebuild."

On Friday, Young and the Indiana congressional delegation sent a letter to President Trump in support of Governor Braun's request for a major disaster declaration. The text of the letter is below and available here.

Dear President Trump,

We thank you for your continued support following the severe weather that has impacted our state this summer, including your swift approval of Governor Mike Braun's Emergency Declaration request following the storms, tornadoes, and flooding that began on August 11. That assistance has provided important federal resources as state and local officials continue responding to widespread damage.

As those efforts continue, we write in strong support of Governor Braun's August 20 request for a Major Disaster Declaration. The damage from these storms has been widespread and, in some places, historic. At least eight Hoosiers have died, more than 1,000 families have been displaced, and power outages peaked at more than 360,000 customers, with Northwest Indiana among the hardest hit and tens of thousands still without power. More than 1,700 structures have been destroyed, damaged, or otherwise affected. Flooding forced hundreds of evacuations and water rescues, while roads and bridges were damaged or washed out. In Anderson and Noblesville, the White River exceeded flood records set in 1913, and hundreds of homes along the river in Indianapolis were evacuated.

In the days since the storms, Hoosiers have stepped up to help their neighbors with donations, supplies, and other support. State agencies, local officials, first responders, and volunteers have been working around the clock as well, but the damage has created needs on a scale that communities cannot reasonably meet on their own. Our offices are also hearing from people who are still trying to understand what assistance is available and when it may come. A Major Disaster Declaration would provide the additional federal resources needed to support that work and help families and communities through the weeks and months ahead.

We also continue to support Governor Braun's August 6 request for a Major Disaster Declaration for the separate storms that struck from June 6-26. Many communities, particularly in Northwest Indiana, were still dealing with damage from those storms when the August disaster hit, leaving local governments to respond to another round of serious damage just weeks later.

We appreciate the assistance your administration and FEMA have provided thus far, as well as your continued consideration of the June request. The emergency assistance already approved has been important to the immediate response, and we respectfully urge swift approval of the Governor's August 20 request to provide the additional support needed for recovery. We stand ready to work with your administration and FEMA to support affected Hoosiers and communities.