Young children are more aware of the world around them than adults sometimes realize. They see news broadcasts, often while sitting with their parents. They hear conversations about floods, tornadoes, mass shootings and other frightening events. Even when they do not understand every detail, they know something bad has happened.

Fred Rogers offered parents a memorable way to reassure them. He often recalled what his mother told him when he encountered frightening news as a child: “Look for the helpers. You will always find people who are helping.”

That advice was meant for children, but adults can benefit from it, too.

During the historic flooding that struck Indiana, Hamilton County and Fishers, we did not have to look far to find the helpers.

When I attended Sunday’s news conference at the Hamilton County 4-H Fairgrounds—and later spoke individually with Fishers Mayor Scott Fadness—it was clear that every official gathered there was focused on recovery.

The magnitude of the flooding was difficult to comprehend. The White River near Noblesville crested at approximately 24.6 feet, surpassing a record set during the Great Flood of 1913. Officials were grateful that no lives were lost in Hamilton County, but they also acknowledged the extensive damage to homes, roads and other property.

There was discussion of finding temporary housing for people forced from their homes. Officials repeatedly warned residents to stay away from flooded areas. Floodwater can contain sewage, chemicals, sharp debris and other hazards. Roads and bridges beneath the water may have been washed away or structurally weakened.

The government helpers were front and center.

Fishers has developed a highly regarded water-rescue operation, and its crews were called upon to assist some of the hardest-hit communities. Fishers firefighters and other public safety personnel traveled to Pendleton and Anderson to conduct rescues, while city employees delivered supplies to Pendleton and Tipton.

Our Fishers crews left their own city to help people in neighboring communities. That is what good public safety agencies do when disaster strikes: Jurisdictional lines become less important than saving lives.

Then the emergency came home.

Flash flooding struck the Luxhaven area along Fall Creek, a neighborhood with a long history of flooding. This time, however, the situation was particularly severe. Fishers personnel rescued residents and went door to door checking homes.

As the White River continued to rise, crews contacted residents living near the river, assisted with voluntary evacuations and eventually shifted into search-and-rescue operations. The last resident was pulled from the White River Saturday afternoon. Mayor Fadness told me that no one was injured during the dozens of water rescues.

The numbers help illustrate the scope of the response. From Thursday through Saturday, Fishers emergency crews contacted residents at 85 homes, searched 34 homes and evacuated 16. They helped 27 adults, five children and 20 pets reach safety.

Those are more than statistics. Each number represents a frightened resident, a family pet, a home in danger or a public safety worker entering uncertain conditions to help someone else.

The helpers were not limited to government.

As the magnitude of the emergency became clear Thursday and Friday, I saw a remarkable number of people online asking the same questions: Can we volunteer? Where can we contribute supplies? Is there a trustworthy place to donate money? What can we do?

By Sunday, roughly 1,300 people had registered to volunteer through Noblesville Serve. The Hamilton County Community Foundation was accepting financial contributions, while the Good Samaritan Network and local churches were coordinating donations of supplies.

That is the kind of community we have.

When the need becomes clear, people close ranks. They want to help neighbors they may know well—and people they may never have met. The challenge during an emergency is not persuading people to care. It is organizing all that compassion so help reaches the right places safely and effectively.

There was another group of helpers working largely behind the scenes: the public-information and communications professionals responsible for keeping residents and the news media informed.

I must admit that keeping up with every development over the past several days was a challenge. Conditions changed quickly, sometimes by the hour. I commend the local communications professionals who answered my questions as soon as they could and regularly posted verified information on social media. Their work allowed me to consolidate information from official sources and share it with readers in real time.

Accurate information is also a form of emergency assistance. It tells people where to find shelter, which roads to avoid and how to help without creating another hazard.

I will soon celebrate my 75th birthday, so it goes without saying that I am not as young as I once was. Covering a fast-moving emergency over several days can be exhausting. But moments such as this remind me why local news matters.

Over the past few days, this website set new records for readership. People were searching for information about their streets, their neighborhoods, their city and their neighbors. National news cannot provide that level of detail. Local news can.

To those visiting LarryInFishers for the first time, welcome. I am only sorry that a flooding emergency brought you here.

I have been covering Fishers for 15 years, and if my health holds out, I intend to continue for some years to come.

Thank you to the first responders, rescue crews, public employees, nonprofit organizations, communications professionals, volunteers and ordinary citizens who came together when they were needed most.

Fred Rogers told us to look for the helpers.

During this flood, we found them everywhere.

It makes me proud to be part of the Fishers community.

Thanks for reading.

Congratulations to the Arizona Rattlers, the 2026 Indoor Football League champions, who beat the Green Bay Blizzard 62-51 Sunday night at Tucson Arena.

Allow me to note that the Fishers Freight beat Arizona twice this season.

The first came April 5 at the Fishers Event Center, where the Freight rolled 63-42 over a Rattlers club led by reigning league MVP Max Meylor. Felix Harper threw three touchdowns; Dominic Roberto ran for three more.

The second came June 14 in Glendale. Arizona had been unbeaten at home and was an 8.5-point favorite. Fishers won 37-36, ending a five-game losing streak, when Rattlers kicker Mathew Cook’s 26-yard attempt sailed wide right as time expired.

Then the Freight missed the playoffs anyway.

Fishers finished 8-8, one win better than the 7-9 inaugural season in 2025, with most of those losses decided by a possession or less. It came down to the July 26 regular-season finale against Orlando at the Fishers Event Center — winner in, loser out. Orlando won.

The league, meanwhile, keeps growing. The IFL has announced four new franchises for 2027, which would push it to 18 teams. :  Savannah (Georgia), Arkansas,  Athens, Georgia –  owned by a group including Jerome Bettis, Brian Jordan and David Pollack, and Austin, Texas, announced during the IFL Cup championship broadcast, with league officials also hinting at a New Jersey team based at the American Dream mall. Commissioner Todd Tryon has said he eventually wants 24 teams.

Tryon has made clear he insists on two things from any new owner — the money required to run the franchise and the expertise to manage a professional sports operation.

There are hints of even more teams for 2027, but time is running out. Two clubs are suspended: Sioux Falls and Bay Area. It should be noted the league office is located in Sioux Falls.

The IFL also changed its television approach this season, taking over production of all games. Previously each franchise produced its own home telecasts. The league claims its Yahoo Sports streaming audience reached 6 million this year. That is major growth, if accurate.

Freight coach and general manager Dixie Wooten now goes to work building a competitive squad for 2027 — the franchise’s third season in Fishers, and the first with real expectations attached.

Significant flooding along the White River, Fall Creek and other waterways prompted Fishers Mayor Scott Fadness to issue a local disaster emergency declaration Saturday, Aug. 15.

The flooding followed rainfall the city described as unprecedented, pushing local waterways to historic levels and affecting homes and roads throughout the community.

From Thursday through Saturday, emergency crews contacted residents at 85 homes, searched 34 homes and evacuated 16 homes, according to the city. Responders helped 27 adults, five children and 20 pets reach safety.

The daily response involved 58 Fishers firefighters, 12 Fishers police officers and between five and seven Department of Public Works employees.

As floodwaters recede, city crews and community organizations are assisting affected residents and assessing the damage. Officials said conditions and road access will continue to change during the recovery.

Residents should avoid areas that remain covered by floodwater and obey all barricades and road closures. Officials also cautioned people against touring damaged neighborhoods, saying additional traffic could interfere with damage assessments and delay assistance.

Children and pets should be kept away from floodwater, which can conceal hazards and contain contaminants.

Residents who want to support recovery efforts can register for volunteer opportunities at VolunteerFishers.com. Donations of goods and supplies can be made through Good Samaritan Network of Hamilton County, while financial contributions can be directed through the Hamilton County Community Foundation.

The latest road closures, recovery information and other resources are available at FishersIN.gov/Flooding.

Fishers Mayor Scott Fadness said the city’s four-day emergency response to historic flooding wrapped up Saturday afternoon with the last person pulled from the White River, and that attention now turns to a recovery effort that will begin in earnest Monday.

In an interview Sunday, Fadness said no one was injured across dozens of water rescues carried out by Fishers crews — work that stretched well beyond the city limits into Madison and Tipton counties.

“Everyone is safe. No one was injured,” he said.

Four days of rescues

The response began Thursday morning in Pendleton, where Fishers public safety teams assisted with water rescues after what Fadness called “torrential rain.”

“We were there all day Thursday,” he said.

Thursday night, crews shifted to a flash flood situation along the Fall Creek corridor in the Luxhaven area, where officers rescued about seven people and then went door to door checking on affected homes.

Around 2 a.m., Fishers teams were called back to Anderson for a levee break, and to Pendleton for more water rescues. At the same time, the Fishers Department of Public Works was delivering supplies to Pendleton and the city of Tipton.

Rescues resumed in the Pendleton area Friday morning. By Friday night, crews were making contact with residents along the White River corridor in Fishers.

“At that time some people voluntarily evacuated; others stayed in their homes,” Fadness said.

As the water rose Saturday morning, the city moved to search and rescue operations along the river. Those concluded late Saturday afternoon, with the final resident rescued from the White River around 3 p.m.

“Our team is now rehabbing,” Fadness said. “Everyone is safe.”

Infrastructure largely intact

Fadness said early indications on public infrastructure are encouraging.

“I don’t think there are any roads that are significantly impacted,” he said. “All of our critical functions — wastewater treatment plants, public safety — they’re all fully functional.”

He also knocked down concerns about the water system. Some residents reported water pressure problems Saturday, which the mayor described as an isolated incident that has since been resolved.

“The water pressure has been restored,” he said. “We’ve had no complaints from Citizens (water utility) of any concern about the quality of the water.”

There is no boil water advisory in effect, he said, and water pressure and supply are adequate for operational needs.

Parks damaged, homes likely worse

City parks along the river did not fare as well. Fadness said White River Park remains under water and has not yet been assessed, and he expects damage at Heritage Park as well.

The Riverside schools campus, near the flooded area, was not damaged, he said.

The bigger unknown is housing. Crews cannot fully evaluate homes until the water recedes.

“I would imagine most of the homes that were in that flood area have catastrophic damage at this point,” Fadness said.

Recovery operations spinning up

Even as rescue crews stood down, a second team led by the Department of Public Works and the deputy mayor began organizing recovery operations, the mayor said. Details were expected to be released later Sunday, with the work ramping up Monday.

Residents with flood-related needs can call the city’s 24-hour non-emergency flood hotline at 317-595-3211 or submit information at FishersIN.gov/Flooding. Fadness declared a local disaster emergency Friday that runs through Aug. 22.

The American Red Cross has opened an evacuation center at the Hamilton County Fairgrounds, 2003 Pleasant St. in Noblesville.

The White River crested Friday at 23.96 feet at the Noblesville gauge, breaking the 23.8-foot record set in the Great Flood of 1913.

Watch the full interview with Mayor Fadness in the video above.

With the White River finally falling after cresting at a record 24.6 feet, county and city leaders gathered at the Hamilton County 4-H Fairgrounds on Sunday morning to declare the rescue phase over and the long recovery under way.

“It’s not raining, and the water is receding,” Commissioner Christine Altman said, opening the news conference. The crest topped the previous record of 23.8 feet, set in 1913 — a mark that had stood for 113 years. By Sunday morning the river had dropped to 21 feet and was continuing to fall.

No lives were lost, officials said repeatedly. Property was another matter.

The county’s most significant loss was the Hazel Dell Road bridge between 96th and 106th streets, where floodwaters scoured away the earth beneath the structure. Engineers are assessing whether it can be repaired or must be replaced entirely, Altman said. Roads across the county remain barricaded, and both a travel watch and a flood watch remain in effect.

In Carmel, Mayor Sue Finkam said roughly 230 properties were affected, 40 residents were relocated from their homes, and 14 residents were evacuated overnight from a senior living community that includes assisted living and memory care. She asked residents to stay clear of the Hazel Dell bridge area, where spectators had been gathering on foot, by car and by drone.

Noblesville Mayor Chris Jensen reported about 552 residential units impacted and roughly 170 residents voluntarily evacuated over 72 hours, along with many pets. The city focused on three areas: the Riverwood community north of downtown, the southwest quadrant of downtown along the river, and the area near Federal Hill Commons, where crews are working to restore power to an apartment building in the floodplain. Noblesville’s wastewater treatment plant, he said, remained fully operational despite floodwaters surrounding it.

Fishers Mayor Scott Fadness said his city’s work began Thursday, with swift-water rescues elsewhere followed by flash flooding at home that night. Crews rescued about six people from one neighborhood Thursday and another 10 to 12 people, plus pets, along the White River on Saturday.

Westfield Mayor Scott Willis said his city fared better, with no displaced residents and no infrastructure damage identified so far along Cool Creek.

Hamilton County Emergency Operations Director Chad Knecht delivered the sharpest warning of the morning: the danger has not passed with the water.

“This is a marathon, not a sprint,” he said. Barricades are being pushed aside by drivers, roads may hide washouts and undermined bridges, and downed electrical lines can become re-energized. Residents should not re-enter barricaded areas without permission.

The county has consolidated assistance at a single point of contact. A resource center staffed with American Red Cross support is operating around the clock at Exhibition Hall, 2003 Pleasant St., Noblesville, at the Hamilton County Fairgrounds. The number is 317-645-3261.

Residents needing to briefly return to damaged homes should call that number or contact their local police department about an escort, the director said. In the coming days, damage assessment teams in marked vests will be photographing individual structures — documentation required for a federal disaster declaration.

It is too early to estimate costs, Altman said, with assessments just beginning.

Health officials warned that floodwater is not sanitary and urged residents to keep children out of standing water. The county health department will help residents with private wells and advise on discarding exposed or unrefrigerated food. Officials recommended photographing everything before cleaning, and wearing gloves and an N95 mask during cleanup because of mold risk.

Roughly 1,300 volunteers have signed up through Noblesville Serve, which is coordinating from the fairgrounds. Financial donations can be directed to the Hamilton County Community Foundation; item donations are being routed through the Good Samaritan Network and local churches.

County offices reopen for normal business Monday.

Noblesville has for years talked about the Great Flood of 1913. Moving forward, it will now be the Great Flood of 2026.

The White River continued to fall Sunday morning after reaching approximately 24.56 feet in Noblesville early Saturday, surpassing the historic 1913 flood.

The river stood at 21.61 feet at 6:45 a.m. Sunday, according to the U.S. Geological Survey. That remained more than seven feet above flood stage.

The National Weather Service said major flooding was continuing along the White River. A river flood warning remains in effect through Wednesday evening, although the river is forecast to drop below flood stage Wednesday morning.

A news conference featuring a long list of local officials is scheduled Sunday morning in Noblesville. Fishers Mayor Scott Fadness is among those expected to participate.

In Fishers, two monitored waterways showed modest improvement overnight. Mud Creek declined to 7.89 feet by 6:45 a.m., while Sand Creek at 116th Street dropped to 4.33 feet shortly after 6 a.m.

No new overnight deaths, evacuation orders or boil-water advisories were reported in Fishers or Hamilton County as of early Sunday. However, additional thunderstorms could produce locally heavy rainfall and aggravate existing flooding.

An area flood warning was scheduled to remain in effect until 10 a.m., with a flood watch continuing until noon.

Numerous roads remained closed. Hamilton County’s latest list included Hazel Dell Parkway between 96th and 106th streets, Woodcreek Drive near 116th Street, State Road 38 at Hague Road, State Road 19 at Logan Street and Forest Park, and State Road 13 between State Roads 32 and 37.

Officials urged motorists to consult the county’s live closure map and never attempt to cross a flooded road.

A reception center for displaced residents is operating from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. Sunday and Monday at Expo Hall A at the Hamilton County Fairgrounds, 2003 Pleasant Street in Noblesville. Volunteers and donations are also being coordinated there.

Five deaths have been reported statewide during the broader storm and flooding emergency, but none in Hamilton County. Local officials said everyone requiring rescue in Noblesville had been accounted for.

A federal emergency declaration has been approved for Indiana to support the state’s response.

Local assistance includes shelter, food, sandbags and household support, while residents can contribute through a coordinated volunteer roster, a community relief fund and nonprofit organizations.

As Fishers and Hamilton County begin the long transition from emergency response to flood recovery, local government agencies, nonprofits and businesses are organizing assistance for affected residents — and safe ways for neighbors to help.

The White River reached approximately 24.6 feet at the Logan Street gauge early Saturday, Aug. 15.  Although the river began falling after reaching that historic level, officials warned that flooded roads, unstable structures, contaminated water and other hazards could remain.

Residents should call 911 for an emergency. Fishers has also established a 24-hour assistance line at 317-595-3211 for nonemergency flood-related needs.

The city’s online flood-assistance form allows residents to request help with temporary housing, food, supplies, nonemergency medical support and other needs. The city said it is coordinating dumpsters for storm debris and plans to deliver pallets of drinking water to affected neighborhoods when conditions allow.

A Red Cross reception center is operating in Hall A at the Hamilton County Fairgrounds, 2003 Pleasant St., Noblesville. The center is available to people who need a safe place to stay, food or water. Residents can also contact the Red Cross at 800-733-2767 for shelter information.

Free sandbags remain available on a first-come, first-served basis at 1717 Pleasant St., Noblesville. Hamilton County advises residents that they are responsible for loading, transporting, using and disposing of the bags.

Continue reading How to help — and where to get help — after flooding in Fishers and Hamilton County →

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.

Hamilton County residents forced from their homes by this week’s flooding now have a place to turn for help.

Hamilton County Emergency Operations, in partnership with the American Red Cross, opened an Emergency Evacuation Reception Center Saturday at the Hamilton County 4-H Fairgrounds in Noblesville. The center, located in Expo Hall A at the fairgrounds, 2003 Pleasant St., is open to anyone displaced by flooding.

Red Cross personnel and support staff are on site to assist residents and connect them with available resources, including emergency lodging, food and water.

“With floodwaters continuing to impact homes and neighborhoods across Hamilton County, we want residents to know there is a place to go if they need help,” said Chad Knecht, executive director of Hamilton County Emergency Operations. “If you have been displaced or need assistance because of the flooding, please come to the reception center so we can help connect you with the resources you need.”

The reception center opens as the county grapples with some of the worst flooding it has seen in years. County commissioners declared a state of emergency Friday after days of heavy rain closed more than 30 roads and pushed the White River toward a crest of nearly 20 feet, expected early Saturday morning. Communities in the northern part of the county, including Atlanta, Arcadia and Jackson Township, were hit especially hard — the Jackson Township Fire Department building took on floodwater, and a wastewater substation in Atlanta was knocked offline.

Officials also issued a Travel Watch for the county, meaning residents should limit driving to essential trips only. Major closures have included State Road 37 north of State Road 32 in Noblesville and State Road 19 between Logan Street and Field Drive.

Hamilton County remains under a state of emergency. Officials continue to urge residents to avoid flooded areas and to never drive around barricades or through flooded roadways. Even shallow moving water can sweep a vehicle off the road, and floodwater often hides washed-out pavement and debris.

The City of Fishers issued a statement that Citizens Water has said the water quality in Fishers is good and no boiling of water is needed.  There are water pressure issues in parts of Fishers but Citizens tells the city that should be improving soon.

Residents who have been displaced or need flood-related assistance are encouraged to come to the reception center at the fairgrounds, where Red Cross staff can connect them with emergency lodging and other resources.