08-15-2026 Gov. Braun Secures Federal Assistance, Provides Update on Statewide Storm Response

Gov. Braun Secures Federal Assistance, Provides Update on Statewide Storm Response

At Gov. Braun's direction, state agencies are firing on all cylinders to provide aid to Hoosiers and communities impacted by this week's severe weather.

INDIANAPOLIS - Governor Mike Braun provided an update on Indiana's ongoing storm response from the State Emergency Operations Center Saturday, announcing that President Donald Trump intends to approve the Governor's request for a Presidential Emergency Declaration following a call between the Governor and President earlier in the day. The approval makes up to $5 million in federal assistance available to support emergency response efforts across Indiana.

"I spoke with President Trump today about the devastation we're seeing across Indiana, and I'm grateful to the President for quickly addressing my request and providing additional resources to help Hoosiers," said Gov. Braun. "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. Please continue to take flooding seriously and stay away from floodwaters. At my direction, our state agencies, the Indiana National Guard and emergency response teams are working around the clock alongside local officials and first responders. Our response is fully mobilized, and we will continue putting every available resource behind keeping Hoosiers safe and helping our communities recover."

The federal declaration will help cover eligible emergency response costs, including many of the operations already underway across Indiana. Federal assistance can support water rescues, sandbagging and other flood-fighting efforts, evacuations and shelters, emergency supplies, medical transportation, emergency access and moving equipment and resources into impacted communities.

Indiana's State Emergency Operations Center remains activated at Level III, coordinating state agencies, the Indiana National Guard and local partners as communities across the state respond to ongoing needs and, in some areas, begin recovery.

At Gov. Braun's direction, seventy-two Indiana National Guard personnel are activated, 48 Indiana Department of Natural Resources officers are supporting response operations and INDOT crews continue monitoring roads, clearing debris and assessing roads for safe reopening.

Statewide power outages have fallen to approximately 160,000 from a peak of more than 300,000 as utility crews continue working to restore service, with most remaining outages concentrated in Lake County. Power was restored to Laurel in Franklin County Friday, while damage assessments and recovery planning are beginning in parts of southeastern Indiana as floodwaters recede.

Response operations remain active elsewhere. More than 350 evacuations have occurred in Delaware County, while Fayette County responders and volunteers continue conducting rescues and welfare checks. Evacuations were also underway Saturday in portions of Marion County and at a senior mobile home community in Tipton County. Henry County is transitioning toward recovery, with cleanup teams headed to the county.

Gov. Braun declared a statewide disaster emergency Thursday to strengthen Indiana's response and mobilize additional resources. On Friday, he requested a Presidential Emergency Declaration through FEMA to bring additional federal resources to Indiana and support emergency response costs.

Local disaster declarations have also been made in several parts of Indiana, including Carroll, Dearborn, Delaware, Fayette, Franklin, Hamilton, Henry, Lake, Madison, Marion, Porter, Pulaski, Putnam, Tipton, Wayne counties, and in the municipalities of Attica, Flora, Carmel, Noblesville and New Chicago.

As Indiana moves from immediate response toward recovery, Gov. Braun has directed state agencies to remain fully engaged with local communities and prepared to quickly shift resources as conditions and needs change.

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