President Donald Trump approved a Presidential Emergency Declaration for Indiana as central Indiana floods worsened after storms that started Tuesday. The action opens federal disaster assistance for the state after historic rainfall, overflowing rivers and six reported deaths.
Mike Braun and FEMA
Indiana Governor Mike Braun declared a statewide disaster emergency Friday and said Saturday that he talked to President Donald Trump. Trump approved Braun’s request the same day, and FEMA announced federal disaster assistance is available to Indiana to supplement state, tribal and local response efforts.
Emergency officials reported six deaths across Indiana from the storms. Three of those deaths were in Lake, Porter and LaPorte counties, and the weather that began on August 11, 2026, brought severe storms, straight-line winds, tornadoes and flooding across the state.
Gary and NIPSCO
Restoration work continued in northern Indiana while crews tried to bring power back to homes and businesses. In Gary, a NIPSCO utility crew vehicle was hit by gunfire Friday night, forcing a temporary pause in storm restoration activities involving crews there.
Gary Mayor Eddie Melton said no one was injured. He said, “Let me be clear: this type of violence is absolutely unacceptable and will not be tolerated in the City of Gary” and added, “These crews are here for one reason-to help our residents and restore electricity to families who have already endured days without power.”
Indiana State Police
NIPSCO said, “NIPSCO is aware of a serious incident overnight in Gary involving our crews supporting our ongoing storm restoration efforts.” The utility added, “The safety of our employees, contractors and the communities we serve remains our highest priority.” It also said, “We are grateful that no injuries have been reported.”
Work in Gary resumed Saturday evening, and Indiana State Police said it is deploying additional troopers to help local departments. More storms were possible early Sunday, leaving crews to keep working while the state’s federal assistance request has now been approved.
