Fishers Mayor Scott Fadness declared a local disaster emergency Saturday as historic flooding along the White River, Fall Creek and other waterways continues to impact neighborhoods across the city, and the city has opened a 24-hour hotline to help residents dealing with flood damage.
Residents with non-emergency flood issues can call the hotline at 317-595-3211 any time, day or night, or submit a request online at FishersIN.gov/Flooding. Anyone experiencing an emergency should call 911.
The declaration, issued under Indiana Code 10-14-3-29, activates all applicable local and interjurisdictional disaster emergency plans and authorizes the city to furnish aid and assistance to those affected. It remains in effect through Saturday, Aug. 22.
The mayor’s action follows days of unprecedented rainfall across central Indiana. More than 11 inches of rain fell east of Indianapolis beginning Tuesday, with the National Weather Service characterizing the downpour in at least one location as a 1-in-1,000-year rainfall event. That water has been draining into the White River and Fall Creek, pushing both to historic levels.
The White River crested at 23.96 feet at the Noblesville gauge Friday, breaking the previous record of 23.8 feet set during the Great Flood of March 1913 — a mark that had stood for 113 years. Hamilton County declared its own emergency Friday, and county officials say more than 160 families have received voluntary evacuation assistance countywide.
In Fishers, police and fire crews evacuated residents along Wapahani Drive near the White River, and the Fall Creek Township trustee assisted residents evacuated from the Luxhaven area as Fall Creek reached its highest level in four decades. Road closures in the city as of Friday evening included Florida Road between Geist Ridge Drive and Bowline Road, Trails End Drive and Wapahani Drive. Fishers Parks has closed White River Park, the AgriPark, Geist Waterfront Park, Cumberland Park and Hamilton Proper Park.
City officials are asking residents not to drive around barricades or enter flooded areas to sightsee. Drivers ignoring closures are creating additional hazards, the city said, and pulling public safety resources away from residents who need immediate help. Never drive through floodwaters, and follow guidance from public safety officials as response and recovery efforts continue. The latest road closures are posted on the Drive Fishers account on X.
Even with the river past its crest, officials warn the danger has not passed. “The river may have crested, but this is not over,” said Chad Knecht, executive director of Hamilton County Emergency Operations. “It will take much longer for this water to go down than it did for it to come up.”
Flood updates will continue to be shared on the city’s website and its social media channels on Facebook, Instagram, X, and Nextdoor. Because conditions differ from neighborhood to neighborhood, residents should confirm information through the hotline or official city channels. For the latest on flooding impacts and support, visit FishersIN.gov/Flooding.