Indiana Floods Reveal Policy Gaps

Record flooding across central and eastern Indiana has killed seven people and left more than 1,000 homeless. The disaster, which followed a derecho storm on August 11 and intense rainfall, has caused an estimated $5 billion in damage according to state leaders.

In Cambridge City, a town of 1,700 people, floodwaters from Creitz Creek damaged about 250 homes. About 175 of those homes experienced significant damage. Rick Keasling recalls about 10 inches of rain falling by mid-morning on August 12, which is three times the town's average rainfall for the entire month of August. The water rose almost five feet inside his home.

Infrastructure and Response Challenges

Critical infrastructure was destroyed, including a section of Interstate-70 washed away north of Cambridge City. In Gary, hundreds of thousands were left without electricity for over two weeks after the August 11 storm.

Indiana's disaster relief fund stood at just $2 million before the flooding. It has since been raised to $5 million. Governor Mike Braun submitted a disaster declaration to the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) on August 21, but no response had been received. The Trump administration has approved FEMA disaster aid for over 50 counties, capped at $5 million. FEMA under the current administration has turned down more than 30 disaster declarations and takes longer to approve requests.

Climate Policy Context

Beth Hall, director of the Indiana State Climate Office, stated that climate change played a role in the event's intensity. She said a warmer atmosphere allowed for more vapor to condense and fall as rain, and warmer temperatures may have caused a large heat dome to persist.

Indiana's legislature, where Republicans hold a supermajority, has repeatedly refused to fund climate-related initiatives. The state cut funding for environmental agencies by 19% between 2010 and 2024. Neighboring Ohio and Michigan increased their resources by 19% and 78% respectively in that period. Indiana's senate environmental affairs committee has twice refused to consider legislation for a state climate solutions taskforce. According to the Center for Climate and Energy Solutions, Indiana is one of 18 states with no climate action plan.

Local Impacts and Recovery

In Cambridge City, nearly all affected properties are in a FEMA flood zone AE, indicating a high-risk area with a 1% or greater annual chance of flooding. Many buildings are in a "regulatory floodway." Despite this, the town is rated as having only a moderate flood risk by the non-profit First Street.

With a median household income about 60% of the national level, many residents cannot afford flood insurance due to high premiums. Small businesses can apply for a county grant of up to $5,000. Tami Hall, who runs Vinton House Antiques, lost most of her basement equipment, including the HVAC system.

Tom Saunders, a town board member from the flooded neighboring community of Lewisville, described a 69-year-old man who lost his mobile home and four cars. "We're past a week of this and we still don't know anything," Saunders said. "There's nobody to help."

Ten days after the flood, volunteers served food to about 70 people daily from a truck. Residents dealt with looting. Rick Keasling said his flood insurance would not cover the damage. Industrial dehumidifiers ran in his gutted home as houses were being torn down in nearby Connersville.