INDIANA — Following Governor Mike Braun’s statewide disaster emergency declaration on August 13, a growing number of municipalities in Central and Northwest Indiana have issued local disaster declarations.
The emergency orders come in the wake of a destructive weather system that swept through the state earlier this week, bringing a severe derecho, historic torrential rainfall, and widespread flooding.
A derecho is a wide, long-lasting wind storm tied to a fast-moving group of severe thunderstorms. Often called an “inland hurricane,” it brings destructive straight-line winds over 58 mph across a path at least 240 miles long, leaving behind widespread damage like downed trees and power outages.
Emergency response efforts remain active across multiple counties as local authorities manage widespread power outages, road closures, and hazardous traveling conditions.
The Indiana Department of Homeland Security confirms that seven people have died throughout the state due to storm-related incidents. These deaths stretch back to August 11.
The following have been confirmed:
- 31-year-old cyclist found dead early Sunday in a hole that opened up on a washed-out road in Henry County
- 19-year-old man in Delaware County
- 58-year-old woman in Delaware County
- 4-year-old boy in Jennings County
- Female in Lake County
- Female in Porter County
- Male in LaPorte County
Local Emergency Declarations & Travel Advisories
Below is the status of emergency declarations, curfews, and travel advisories reported across Indiana as of 6:00 p.m. Saturday, August 15, 2026:
- Cambridge City & Wayne County: Cambridge City has enacted a nightly curfew from 8 p.m. to 7 a.m. through Aug. 20 due to extensive infrastructure and residential damage. Wayne County has downgraded its travel restriction from a “red” (emergency-only) level to an “orange” watch-level advisory, permitting essential travel only.
- Carmel: Declared a local emergency on Aug. 15 to streamline resource pooling and dedicate earmarked disaster relief funds.
- Crown Point: Mayor Pete Land issued a local disaster declaration on Aug. 12 after fallen trees and downed lines knocked out power for an estimated 17,000 residents. Storm cleanup is ongoing.
- Delaware County: Issued a flood emergency and operates under an orange watch-level travel advisory due to severe road and residential flooding.
- Dyer: Issued a local emergency declaration in response to storm impacts.
- Fishers: Mayor Scott Fadness declared a local disaster emergency from Aug. 15 to Aug. 22 following record rainfall. A 24/7 non-emergency hotline was established at 317-595-3211.
- Gary: Mayor declared a local state of emergency on Aug. 12 for up to seven days following structural and roadway damage caused by high wind gusts.
- Hamilton County: County Commissioners declared a state of emergency on Friday morning after heavy rainfall forced the closure of over 30 roadways, including sections of State Road 37, State Road 19, and U.S. 31. An orange travel watch remains in effect.
- Hammond: Mayor Thomas McDermott issued a state of emergency on Aug. 11, effective for seven days unless renewed.
- Indianapolis: Mayor Joe Hogsett declared a local disaster emergency shortly before 8 p.m. on Aug. 14 due to rising floodwaters. A local travel advisory is active, allowing public road restrictions as needed for emergency recovery teams.
- Lake County: Placed under a yellow travel advisory warning drivers of hazardous road conditions and travel delays.
- LaPorte & LaPorte County: Mayor Tom Dermody declared a citywide emergency on Friday morning following more than 1,000 fallen trees and utility failures affecting 14,000 residents. LaPorte County remains under an orange travel advisory.
- Madison County, Anderson, & Pendleton:
- Anderson: Mayor Thomas Broderick ordered emergency evacuations for flooded neighborhoods.
- Pendleton: Declared an emergency on Aug. 13 due to road closures, scheduled through Aug. 16.
- Countywide: Madison County is currently under an orange travel advisory.
- Noblesville: Mayor Chris Jensen declared a local state of emergency on Aug. 15 following severe flood impacts across the city.
- Porter County, Portage, & Valparaiso: Portage Mayor Austin Bonta signed an emergency proclamation on Aug. 11. Valparaiso Mayor Jon Costas confirmed his city was designated a disaster area alongside the rest of Porter County on Aug. 13 due to power loss and storm destruction, though the county’s travel advisory was lifted Friday morning.
Statewide Emergency Resources
Residents seeking non-emergency assistance or reporting storm damage are encouraged to contact Indiana 211 (1-866-211-9966). For continuous updates on state travel conditions, visit 511in.org or check the Indiana Department of Homeland Security travel status map
