Indoor Air Quality Alert: Indiana Flooding

What is the location of the flooding?

As of August 16, 2026, historic flooding is affecting central, eastern, and southeastern Indiana following several days of storms that began on August 11.

The South Central Indiana Flooding event covers areas within Marion, Madison, Delaware, Shelby, Fayette, Franklin, and Dearborn counties (1).

Flooding is concentrated along the White River, Mississinewa River, Big Blue River, Whitewater River, West Fork of the Whitewater River, East Fork White River, Driftwood River, Flatrock River, and portions of the Wabash River (2).

At least six people have died across Indiana, while flooding along the White River has caused extensive damage and evacuations in Indianapolis and surrounding communities (3).

Which cities or areas are affected by the flooding?

The affected cities, towns, and locations include:

Dearborn County, Indiana

• West Harrison

Delaware County, Indiana

• Albany
  
• Ball State University, Muncie
  
• Daleville
  
• Eaton
  
• Gaston
• Muncie
  
• Prairie Creek Reservoir
• Selma
• Yorktown
  

Fayette County, Indiana

• Alpine
• Connersville
  
• East Connersville neighborhoods
• Neuman Lake Road area
• Nulltown
• Ott Road area
• Park Road area, Connersville
  
• Robinson's Whitewater Campground
• Shelton's Plat
• Waterloo Road area

Franklin County, Indiana

• Brookville
  
• Cedar Grove
• Laurel
• Metamora
• New Trenton
• Stavetown

Hamilton County, Indiana

• Noblesville
  

Madison County, Indiana

• Anderson
  
• Chesterfield
  

Marion County, Indiana

• Broad Ripple, Indianapolis
• Hi-Acre neighborhood, Indianapolis
• Indianapolis
  
• Indy Lakes Campground, Indianapolis
• Ravenswood, Indianapolis
• River Road Apartments, Indianapolis
• Rocky Ripple
• Southport Road area, Indianapolis
• Sunshine Gardens, Indianapolis
• Wicker Road and Tibbs Avenue area, Indianapolis

Shelby County, Indiana

• Johnson's Camp, Shelbyville
• Lee's Camp, Shelbyville
• Shelbyville
  
• Walnut Grove, Shelbyville

Tipton County, Indiana

• Senior mobile home community north of Indianapolis

Hamilton County, Ohio

• Harrison

Emergency officials reported serious flooding in Muncie and warned that nearby communities along the White River and Mississinewa River could also be affected.

Flooding and flood warnings extended from Laurel and Brookville to West Harrison and Harrison, Ohio, along the Whitewater River system (4).

What is the current containment status of the flooding?

As of August 16, 2026, flooding remains ongoing, although water levels have begun receding in several communities. The White River peaked in Indianapolis early Sunday, and the Indianapolis Department of Public Works began reopening some flood gates while continuing to inspect levees, gates, and other flood-control infrastructure (5).

Flooding continued along the White River in Anderson, where the river reached a record level of approximately 24.9 feet. Flooding was also expected to continue along the Wabash River and East Fork White River (6).

Crews are clearing debris, inspecting damaged roads and bridges, conducting rescues, and monitoring flood-control systems. Shelters remain available, and additional rainfall could slow recovery or cause renewed flooding in already affected areas (7).

Are there any evacuation orders or alerts in place?

Evacuation orders, warnings, and travel restrictions have been issued across several affected communities:

• Marion County: Residents of affected River Road Apartments buildings were urged to evacuate immediately because erosion and the washout of River Road created a risk of structural failure. Residents of Rocky Ripple and Ravenswood were also strongly advised to evacuate (8).
• Madison County: Previous evacuation orders in Anderson were lifted for properties where floodwaters had receded. Residents were advised not to return until floodwaters had receded from their properties (9).
• Muncie: A Level 3 Go evacuation order covered the area from Madison Street east to Hackley Street and from Memorial Drive south to 18th Street.
• Shelbyville: Residents of Lee's Camp, Johnson's Camp, and Walnut Grove were placed under a Level 2 Set evacuation warning and strongly encouraged to leave before access roads flooded.
• Fayette County: Residents in flood-prone portions of Connersville, East Connersville, Nulltown, Alpine, and nearby areas along the Whitewater River were told to evacuate. An Orange travel watch limited travel to essential trips.
• Franklin County: Flood warnings covered Laurel, Metamora, Brookville, Cedar Grove, New Trenton, and other low-lying communities near the Whitewater River system.

Officials previously reported more than 350 evacuations in Delaware County, while a senior mobile home community in Tipton County was also evacuated (10).

Reported emergency shelter locations include:

• 44 Banquet Hall, 100 N. Main St., Glenwood
• Bam Fitness, 832 N. Eastern Ave., Connersville
• Connersville High School, 1100 Spartan Dr., Connersville
• Crosspointe Biker Church, 1130 Baseline Rd., Connersville
• Expo Hall, 2691 N. Park Rd., Connersville
• Grace Baptist Church, 6401 W. River Rd., Muncie
• Laurel Community Center, 218 N. Clay St., Laurel
• Metamora Community Center, 19162 US-52, Metamora
• Noble Center, 2406 N. Tibbs Ave., Indianapolis
• Schilling Center, 900 Mill St., Brookville
• Washington Township Adult Center, 8401 Westfield Blvd., Indianapolis

How can I protect myself from mold after flooding?

It’s important to take steps to prevent mold after a flood.

• Before entering a flooded area, make sure it is safe and free from electrical hazards or structural damage.
• Use protective gear: wear gloves, goggles, and a KN95/FFP2 mask to minimize exposure to mold spores.
• If there is still standing water, remove it as quickly as possible. Use pumps, wet-dry vacuums, or buckets to extract the water.
• Open windows and doors to facilitate air circulation and use fans, dehumidifiers, and HVAC systems to help dry the space. This step is crucial within the first 24-48 hours after flooding to prevent mold growth.
• Remove and discard any items that have been severely damaged by floodwater and cannot be thoroughly cleaned and dried. This includes carpets, upholstered furniture, mattresses, and any other porous materials.
• Thoroughly clean all hard surfaces with a detergent or cleaner suitable for mold remediation. Use a solution of 1.5 cups of bleach mixed with one gallon of water to disinfect nonporous surfaces. Never mix bleach with ammonia or other cleaning products, as the fumes are toxic.
• Maintain an indoor relative humidity (RH) of 35-50%. High humidity promotes mold growth, so consider using dehumidifiers in damp areas.
• Run a high-performance air purifier for mold, both during and after the mold removal work.
• If the flooding and mold damage are extensive, consider contacting professionals specializing in mold remediation to ensure proper cleanup and restoration.

Remember, mold can pose health risks, so it's important to take these steps promptly and thoroughly. If you experience persistent mold-related health issues or have concerns about extensive mold growth, consult with a medical professional or a mold remediation specialist.