Posted Friday, Aug. 14, 2026, 5:27pm. This story supersedes earlier river forecasts — conditions have escalated sharply.
Hamilton County emergency officials are warning that flooding along the White River could break a record that has stood since 1913, and they are asking residents to store drinking water now in case clean water systems are compromised.
The White River stood at 22.85 feet Friday and is expected to crest near 24 feet around 8 p.m. Friday, the county said in a release. That is a sharp escalation from Friday morning, when officials expected a crest near 20 feet in the early hours of Saturday.
The county has not seen flooding of this magnitude since 1913, and officials said current projections could surpass that historic record.
Store water now
Hamilton County Emergency Operations is urging residents to put away potable water as a precaution. If floodwaters keep rising, the county warned, existing clean water systems could be compromised.
Officials recommend filling clean pots, jugs and other food-safe containers with tap water, filling a clean bathtub, and keeping bottled water on hand.
“This is a precaution, but it’s an important one,” said Chad Knecht, executive director of Hamilton County Emergency Operations. “This recommendation is being made in the event conditions worsen over the next 24 hours. It’s better to have it and not need it than to need it and not have it.”
More evacuations possible
Several neighborhoods have already been evacuated, and the county said additional evacuations may be necessary over the next 24 hours.
Residents in flood-prone areas should prepare now and be ready to leave quickly if emergency personnel direct them to go. That includes having medications, documents, phone chargers and pet supplies gathered ahead of time rather than scrambling in the dark.
Roads and sandbags
More than 60 roads are now closed across Hamilton County because of flooding — up from roughly 50 Friday morning and about 30 on Thursday. The county said that number could keep climbing as water rises and more rain moves in.
County employees and volunteers have been filling sandbags around the clock at the Hamilton County Highway Department. Free sandbags are available first-come, first-served at the Household Hazardous Waste facility, 1717 Pleasant St. in Noblesville.
The county maintains a live list of flood-related closures at hamiltoncounty.in.gov.
Officials repeated their standing warning: avoid flooded areas, and never drive around barricades or through water covering a roadway.
Where Fishers stands
The Fishers area has fared better than the northern half of the county on the roads, but it is not untouched.
Five Luxhaven residents were evacuated Thursday night as Fall Creek rose into the neighborhood, and Fall Creek Township is housing them through the weekend, Trustee Doug Allman said. Allman called it the worst flooding he has seen in 40 years in the township. Fishers closed roads include:
Fishers Parks closed five properties Friday — Fishers White River Park, Fishers AgriPark, Geist Waterfront Park, Cumberland Park and Hamilton Proper Park — and canceled Friday night’s Park After Dark event.
Hamilton County commissioners declared a state of emergency Friday morning, and an orange Travel Watch issued at 5:15 a.m. remains in effect, asking residents to limit driving to essential trips only.
With a crest now expected Friday evening rather than overnight, the next several hours are the critical window. Fill your containers before dark.