INDIANAPOLIS — President Trump will approve a presidential emergency declaration for Indiana that unlocks up to $5 million in federal aid to support response and recovery after storms that claimed five lives, Gov. Mike Braun announced Friday.
Federal aid aimed at immediate response needs
The federal declaration, requested Thursday by Braun and issued through FEMA, is intended to help cover eligible emergency response costs already underway across the state. Federal assistance can be used for a range of response activities, including water rescues, sandbagging and other flood-fighting operations, evacuations and shelters, emergency supplies, medical transport, emergency access and the movement of equipment and resources into impacted communities.
State officials said the declaration is targeted at supporting local and state efforts as Indiana transitions from immediate lifesaving operations toward stabilization and preliminary recovery.
Scope of damage and ongoing operations
More than 160,000 residents remain without power statewide, and active evacuations are ongoing in several counties. Local disaster declarations have been issued in Carroll, Dearborn, Delaware, Fayette, Franklin, Hamilton, Henry, Lake, Madison, Marion, Porter, Pulaski, Putnam, Tipton and Wayne counties, along with municipal declarations in Attica, Flora, Carmel, Noblesville and New Chicago.
State agencies are fully mobilized to support local responders. The National Guard has deployed 72 personnel to assist with water rescues, road clearing and other recovery tasks. Officials say resources will remain in place and available to shift quickly as conditions and community needs evolve.
What the federal money can be used for
- Water rescues and emergency response personnel costs
- Sandbagging, flood control and other flood-fighting operations
- Evacuations, shelter operations and emergency supplies
- Medical transportation and emergency access support
- Movement of equipment and resources into impacted communities
Officials cautioned that the federal declaration focuses on eligible emergency response costs rather than long-term rebuilding; additional programs or declarations would be needed to address broader recovery and infrastructure repair beyond immediate response.
Local officials remain engaged
Governor Braun declared a statewide disaster emergency on Thursday to strengthen response efforts and mobilize additional resources ahead of the federal decision. Local governments across dozens of jurisdictions have followed suit with their own emergency declarations to expedite mutual aid and access to state support.
As the situation evolves, state leaders said they will keep agencies fully engaged with local communities and will be ready to move personnel and equipment where most needed. That includes continued coordination on evacuations, sheltering and restoring critical services such as power and roadway access.
Counties and municipalities with local declarations
| Counties | Municipalities |
|---|---|
| Carroll, Dearborn, Delaware, Fayette, Franklin, Hamilton, Henry, Lake, Madison, Marion, Porter, Pulaski, Putnam, Tipton, Wayne | Attica, Flora, Carmel, Noblesville, New Chicago |
Officials emphasized that local conditions vary significantly across counties and municipalities. Some communities remain in active search and rescue and evacuation modes, while others are focused on clearing debris and restoring utilities.
What residents should know now
State officials urged residents in affected areas to follow local evacuation orders and shelter guidance, to heed road closures and avoid driving through flooded areas, and to check on neighbors, especially those who are elderly or have mobility challenges. Residents should continue to monitor local emergency management channels for updates on shelters, power restoration and assistance resources.
As federal and state agencies coordinate support, communities should expect continued activity from emergency crews, the National Guard and utility crews working to restore power and clear roads.
The federal emergency declaration is an initial step to supplement state and local response; additional federal programs could be requested if damage assessments indicate broader recovery needs beyond emergency response costs.
Reporting for this article is based on the governor's announcement and state and local emergency notices.
