At least five reported dead amid flooding in US state of Indiana

Indiana is grappling with the aftermath of severe storms and historic flooding that have claimed at least five lives across the Midwestern state. Rescue operations are ongoing as authorities work to reach individuals stranded by the relentless rainfall that has drenched the region for the past week.

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I spoke with President [Donald] Trump today about the severe storms and historic flooding impacting Indiana, and he informed me that he intends to approve our request for a Presidential Emergency Declaration.

Governor Mike Braun declared a state of emergency and formally requested a presidential emergency declaration on Friday. This plea aims to secure greater federal resources to aid in the state's response and recovery. On Saturday, Braun announced that President Donald Trump had pledged federal assistance following a conversation about the severe weather.

"I spoke with President [Donald] Trump today about the severe storms and historic flooding impacting Indiana, and he informed me that he intends to approve our request for a Presidential Emergency Declaration," Braun stated in a social media post. "I’m grateful to President Trump for his commitment to getting Hoosiers the federal assistance we need as we continue responding and recovering."

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I’m grateful to President Trump for his commitment to getting Hoosiers the federal assistance we need as we continue responding and recovering.

Emergency workers have been actively rescuing residents from homes submerged by rising waters. The White River in Indianapolis has overflowed its banks, contributing to dangerous conditions. Indianapolis Mayor Joe Hogsett described the flooding as the worst the area has experienced in over 30 years, with some locations receiving more than 280 millimeters (11 inches) of rain in just two days, according to the National Weather Service.

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My heart is with the families and loved ones of the five Hoosiers we have lost and every family whose life has been changed by these storms.

Authorities have confirmed the deaths of five individuals, including a 58-year-old woman believed to have died while attempting to drive through floodwaters, a four-year-old child killed when a tree fell on a home, and a teenager found deceased after reportedly jumping into a river. Officials are cautioning the public against driving through flooded areas, emphasizing the risk of vehicles becoming stranded. "My heart is with the families and loved ones of the five Hoosiers we have lost and every family whose life has been changed by these storms," Braun said, urging residents to "continue to take flooding seriously and stay away from floodwaters."

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Please continue to take flooding seriously and stay away from floodwaters.