Indiana Governor Mike Braun visited the cities of Carmel and Noblesville on Sunday to assess the damage caused by recent historic flooding of the White River. Accompanied by Carmel Mayor Sue Finkam and Noblesville Mayor Chris Jensen, Braun observed the impact on homes, businesses, and critical infrastructure.
Flood Impact on Families and Infrastructure
Heavy rain over a nine‑day period pushed the White River to record levels, forcing dozens of families from their homes and damaging roads, bridges, and public utilities across central Indiana. Braun noted that the flooding has “forced families out of their homes and caused significant damage to infrastructure” in both municipalities.
State Resources Mobilized
The governor pledged continued state assistance, deploying the Indiana National Guard, the Indiana Department of Transportation, the Department of Correction, the Indiana State Police, and the Department of Natural Resources to support recovery efforts. He emphasized that these agencies are working alongside utility crews to clear debris and secure work zones.
Power outages peaked at more than 300,000 customers statewide, with roughly 65,000 still without electricity. Braun criticized the utility company NIPSCO for the prolonged outages, stating, “It’s unacceptable that so many Hoosiers are still without power. It’s on NIPSCO management to step up, take this seriously and restore power now.” He called on utility management to accelerate restoration efforts.
Assistance for Affected Residents
To help families coping with the disaster, the state extended the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefit replacement through August 31 for residents of Lake and Porter counties. Additionally, Braun directed the Department of Insurance to impose a 60‑day moratorium on policy cancellations, ensuring that homeowners and renters who lost homes, vehicles, or personal belongings are not forced to lose coverage while they rebuild.
“Hoosiers who have just lost their homes, vehicles or belongings shouldn’t have the added worry of unexpectedly losing their insurance coverage while they’re trying to get back on their feet,” Braun said.
Ongoing Recovery Efforts
Utility crews continue to work across the state, clearing debris and restoring service. More than 20 disaster declarations remain active as officials evaluate the full extent of the storm damage. Braun reaffirmed that restoring power in Lake, Porter, and LaPorte counties remains a top priority for his administration.
The governor’s tour highlighted the collaborative effort between local leaders, first responders, and state agencies to address the immediate needs of flood‑impacted communities while laying the groundwork for longer‑term recovery and rebuilding.
Original reporting: 93.1 WIBC (Indianapolis) — read the source article.
