A practical guide to moving from emergency response to recovery after historic flooding across Indiana.
This Indiana flooding recovery guide walks through what comes next after an extraordinary flooding event. On August 13, Gov. Mike Braun declared a statewide disaster emergency in response to severe storms and flooding and mobilized the Indiana National Guard as communities across the state deal with widespread damage and dangerous conditions.
The severity of this week’s weather has been unprecedented in some areas. The White River surpassed the historic 1913 flood record in central Indiana, while communities across eastern and central Indiana experienced rapidly rising water, evacuations and significant property damage. With rivers still rising in some areas and additional rain possible, the immediate priority remains safety. But for homeowners whose properties have been damaged, the days ahead will bring a different set of challenges.
Flood recovery is about much more than removing standing water. Homeowners must think about safety, documentation, insurance, hidden damage, repairs and, ultimately, what can be done to reduce the risk of facing the same situation again. The first step is simple – do not rush back into a flooded home.
Make Safety Your First Priority
Floodwater can conceal serious hazards. Electrical systems may be compromised, floors and walls may have been weakened, and contaminated water can carry sewage and other health risks. Damage to a foundation or other structural components may not be immediately visible.
If significant water remains, there are concerns about the electrical system or there is visible structural damage, have the property evaluated by a qualified professional before returning. If local officials have issued an evacuation order or a nearby river is still cresting, follow that guidance. No possession is worth putting yourself or your family in danger. Once the property is confirmed to be safe, resist the urge to immediately start throwing things away or doing remediation in damaged areas. Before cleanup begins, document exactly what happened with photos and notes.
Document the Damage Before Cleanup Begins
Your phone is your most valuable tool in the first hours after a flood. Photograph and record every affected room, visible water lines, and damaged flooring, drywall, furniture, appliances, and other belongings. For major appliances and electronics, capture model and serial numbers whenever possible.
Documentation provides an important record for insurance claims and potential disaster assistance. The Indiana Department of Insurance recommends documenting damage before making temporary repairs and maintaining a record of damaged personal property. Think of this documentation as telling the story of what happened to your home. Be sure to take wide photographs that establish the overall condition of each room as well as close-ups that show individual damage. Keep that record organized as the recovery process continues.
Understand What Your Insurance Actually Covers
Contact your insurance agent or insurer’s claims department as soon as possible. Ask what your policy covers, what your deductible is, what documentation is required, and whether an adjuster needs to inspect the property before repairs begin.
One of the most important distinctions homeowners need to understand is the difference between standard homeowners insurance and flood insurance. Standard homeowners policies generally do not cover overland flood damage. Flood coverage may instead come through the National Flood Insurance Program or a private insurer, and homeowners either have that coverage or they do not. Fewer than one percent of Indiana households currently carry flood insurance, leaving many affected homeowners potentially facing significant uncovered losses.
There is another distinction worth making. If water entered the home because of a backed-up drain or failed sump pump rather than rising floodwaters, coverage may depend on a water-backup endorsement on a standard homeowners policy. The lesson is not to assume. Ask your insurer specifically how your policy applies to the way water entered your home.
Report Your Damage to the State and Look into SBA Loans – Explore Disaster Assistance
The Indiana Department of Homeland Security and Indiana 211 are collecting damage reports right now to figure out how bad this is county by county, which is what determines whether federal disaster aid becomes available. You can report by calling 211 (or 866-211-9966), or through the Indiana 211 website, and it’s worth doing even if you think your damage is minor. If a federal disaster declaration comes through for your county, homeowners can apply for SBA disaster loans, up to $500,000 to repair or rebuild a primary residence, and up to $100,000 separately for personal property like furniture, appliances, and vehicles. These are loans with interest, not grants, but the rates tend to beat what you would get elsewhere, and there’s often an option to add up to twenty percent more for mitigation work so the next flood doesn’t do the same damage. Indiana’s State Disaster Relief Fund is also worth checking if you’re uninsured or underinsured, though it’s meant to supplement insurance, not replace it.
Stop Additional Damage and Be Careful About Permanent Repairs
After the damage has been documented and the property is safe, homeowners can take reasonable steps to prevent additional damage. This might include removing standing water, moving undamaged belongings away from wet areas, covering openings that are allowing water inside, and beginning the drying and remediation process.
Keep receipts for emergency supplies, cleanup, and temporary work. At the same time, be cautious about beginning permanent repairs before your insurance company has had an opportunity to inspect the property. Replacing drywall, flooring, or other materials too quickly can make it more difficult to establish the full extent of the original damage.
Look Beyond the Water You Can See
A home can appear dry while significant moisture remains hidden behind walls, beneath flooring, in carpet, or inside insulation. Those concealed wet materials can create conditions for mold and additional damage. Drying and mitigation need to go beyond simply removing visible standing water. FEMA guidance emphasizes removing flood-damaged materials that pose health risks, while documenting those items before disposal. Depending on the extent of the flooding, a qualified water mitigation or restoration professional may be able to identify problems that are not apparent during a visual inspection. This is one area where trying to save money by doing everything yourself can ultimately become more expensive. Hidden moisture can continue causing damage long after the initial cleanup is finished.
Find the Source of the Water
Once the immediate emergency has passed, one of the most important questions that needs answered is where did the water originate? Maybe it entered through a basement window. Perhaps a sump pump failed during a power outage. Water could have entered through a foundation crack, flowed toward the house because of grading, or it overwhelmed the property’s drainage system because a nearby creek or drainage area may have overflowed.
Understanding the source matters because the solution depends on the cause. It can also matter when determining insurance coverage. Rising surface water from rivers or streets is treated differently from water entering through a sump pit or sewer line.
Simply repairing the visible damage without addressing why the water entered in the first place leaves the home vulnerable to another event.
Be Thoughtful About Who You Hire
Major disasters often bring an influx of contractors and companies offering emergency services. While many legitimate professionals are ready to help, homeowners should be cautious about making rushed decisions under pressure. Ask for a state contractor license number, obtain a written estimate, and be wary of anyone demanding full payment upfront. Pressure to sign a contract immediately should be a reason to slow down to ensure this is the right individual for the job. When your home has been damaged, getting help quickly is important, but choosing the right help is equally important.
Think About the Home’s Future, Not Just Its Recovery
Once repairs begin, continue documenting the work. Keep invoices, contractor reports, photographs, and records of improvements designed to prevent future flooding. That documentation becomes an important part of any Indiana flooding recovery guide, proof the damage was addressed correctly. Future buyers, inspectors, and insurers may want to understand what happened, how the damage was addressed, and whether the underlying problem was corrected.
A flood does not automatically mean a home has lost its value. The quality of the repairs, whether the cause of the damage was addressed and whether an ongoing risk remains can all play a role. You should always be able to demonstrate that the home was properly evaluated, repaired, and made more resilient after the flood.
Let the Flood Teach You Something About Your Property
Extraordinary weather has a way of revealing weaknesses that remain invisible during ordinary conditions. After the property is safe and the immediate recovery is complete, take time to look at the site differently. Where did water collect? Does the ground slope toward the foundation? Where do downspouts discharge? Are there low areas in the yard? Did the basement or crawl space reveal vulnerabilities that were not apparent before? Those observations can become the starting point for meaningful improvements.
Flood Recovery: Preparing for the Next Storm
That’s the heart of any Indiana flooding recovery guide: not just fixing what broke, but making sure it doesn’t break the same way again. The most valuable outcome of a difficult recovery may be learning how to reduce the likelihood or severity of the next one. For some homeowners, that could mean improving grading, extending downspouts, repairing drainage problems, or addressing the location where water entered the home. For others, it could mean servicing or replacing a sump pump, adding a battery backup system, or taking additional steps to protect vulnerable areas.
It is also an opportunity to revisit insurance coverage. Sit down with your insurance agent and make sure you understand what would (or would not) be covered if a similar event happens again. Resilience is rarely one dramatic improvement. More often, it is the result of several thoughtful changes working together.
The Indiana Flooding Recovery Guide: What Comes Next
This Indiana flooding recovery guide can’t shorten that timeline, but knowing what to expect helps. For many Indiana families, flood recovery will extend far beyond property damage. Some people have lost belongings, homes, valuables, and a sense of security. Others are still waiting to learn what the damage will ultimately mean for their families. Feeling overwhelmed in the aftermath of a disaster is not a failure. It is a normal response to an extraordinary situation. Neighbors, churches, community organizations and other local groups are already mobilizing to help, and homeowners should not feel as though they must navigate every part of recovery alone.
As conditions continue to develop, stay alert to weather warnings for your area. Avoid flooded roads, even when the water appears shallow. Floodwater can be deeper and more dangerous than it looks. The water will recede, the recovery work will continue, neighbors will help one another, and Indiana communities will rebuild. What comes next is an opportunity not only to restore what was damaged, but to make our homes, neighborhoods, and communities stronger and better prepared for the future.
