Indiana storms linked to 5 deaths as floods trigger rescues and evacuations

At least five deaths in Indiana have been linked to storms that triggered what many described as historic flooding, according to Gov. Mike Braun.Several dozen people and their pets were rescued Saturday as floodwaters rose along the White River in Indianapolis, and emergency managers said that number was expected to climb as authorities in the city and elsewhere in central Indiana responded to the ongoing flood threats."This is one of those once-in-a-lifetime type floods," Jacob Spence, director of Marion County Emergency Management, told The Associated Press. "So yeah, this is an unprecedented event and unfortunately we\u0027re setting some new records."Indianapolis Mayor Joe Hogsett was joined by emergency managers during a briefing Saturday as he urged residents along the river to evacuate. A day earlier, he had declared a local emergency as heavy rains resulted in creeks and streams swelling throughout central Indiana.Some rivers reached a level so high that they broke records set more than 100 years ago.The damage so far was concentrated along the river corridor from Hamilton County and into the northern Indianapolis suburbs. Farther east in Delaware County, sheriff\u0027s deputies on Friday found the body of a 58-year-old woman who they believe died after trying to drive through floodwaters."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," Braun said Saturday in a statement. "Please continue to take flooding seriously and stay away from floodwaters."The Delaware County Sheriff\u0027s Office confirmed Saturday that authorities found the body of 18-year-old Matthew Morey, an incoming Purdue University freshman who had gone missing after he entered the Mississinewa River with three others on Wednesday."There are no words that can ease the pain of losing a child. Our hearts are with Matthew\u0027s family, friends, classmates, and everyone who knew and loved him," the sheriff\u0027s office told CBS News in a statement.The county\u0027s Yorktown Public Library said it was severely impacted by the floods. Footage posted on the library\u0027s Facebook page on Friday shows approximately 1-foot-high floodwater throughout the building."Seeing our library in this state yesterday was nothing short of devastating. We\u0027re definitely all feeling a little heartbroken," the library said in the post. "We want to thank everyone who has already reached out to offer help. We\u0027re happy to report that the water has receded this morning, and we\u0027re working with a water mitigation company to come up with a plan."Braun said he has spoken to President Trump, who on Saturday approved the governor\u0027s request for a presidential emergency declaration to free up to $5 million in federal resources to help with the response and recovery following days of record rainfall.The National Weather Service reported that more than 11 inches of rain fell over a two-day period in some areas. The White River crested just shy of 25 feet in the city of Anderson and Noblesville on Friday, more than a foot above the record set in 1913.Flash-flood warnings and watches remained in place Saturday across a swath of central Indiana.Forecasters expected the White River to crest Saturday evening in the Indianapolis area, where National Guard vehicles were among those helping with the rescue efforts. Rita Reith, a spokesperson with the Indianapolis Fire Department, put the number of rescues at 91 people and 45 pets as of early afternoon."The water is still rising, so heed the warnings," said Todd Wilson, director of the city\u0027s public works department.Authorities estimated that about 400 people evacuated parts of northern Indianapolis on their own, while the governor\u0027s office reported more than 350 evacuations have occurred in Delaware County and that a senior mobile home community in Tipton County was being evacuated. Rescues and welfare checks also were happening in Fayette County.Residents posted videos on social media that showed vehicles stranded in high water, a power pole being toppled by rushing water and flooded intersections.Earlier this week,\u00a0severe storms\u00a0wreaked havoc across other parts of the Midwest, causing tornadoes, heavy rains and flash flooding. Storm damage was reported from the Chicago area all the way to western Pennsylvania.

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