Indiana Governor Extends Disaster Declaration Totaling 35 Counties
Additional counties have been added to the State of Emergency declared by Indiana Governor Mike Braun, but Vanderburgh still didn't make the list. Keep reading to learn why.
Immense Flooding Results in State of Emergency for Indiana Counties
Last week, we shared that Indiana Governor Mike Braun has declared a State of Emergency for 18 counties in Indiana after immense flooding across the state caused damage to homes, farms, and businesses.
Vanderburgh County Not Included in State of Emergency
We also noted that Vanderburgh County had been excluded from the declaration, despite the county finding itself under a significant amount of water as the Ohio River spread beyond its banks. We contacted the governor's office to inquire, but have still not heard back.
Additional Counties Added to Indiana State of Emergency Bringing Total to 35
Today, we learned that the Governor has added 17 Hoosier counties to the State of Emergency. That's a total of 35 counties under a State of Emergency now. The following counties are now under a State of Emergency for 30 days from the signing of the Governor's order:
- Bartholomew County
- Brown County
- Clark County
- Clay County
- Crawford County
- Dearborn County
- Delaware County
- Elkhart County
- Floyd County
- Gibson County
- Green County
- Hamilton County
- Hancock County
- Harrison County
- Hendricks County
- Jefferson County
- Jennings County
- LaGrange County
- Lake County
- LaPorte County
- Madison County
- Marshall County
- Martin County
- Morgan County
- Owen County
- Perry County
- Porter County
- Posey County
- Shelby County
- Spencer County
- Steuben County
- Switzerland County
- Vigo County
- Warrick County
- Washington County
In the order signed by Governor Braun on Tuesday, April 15, 2025, he cites "severe weather, tornadic activity, and flooding" as the reason for the declaration.
Vanderburgh County Still Excluded From Braun's State of Emergency
At this time, Vanderburgh County is still not included under the governor's State of Emergency. In a statement to Facebook, the Evansville-Vanderburgh County Emergency Management Agency addressed the county's exclusion from the order.
READ MORE: Here's How to Dispose of Your Used Sandbags After the Flood
Evansville-Vanderburgh Emergency Management Agency Explains Omission
Evansville-Vanderburgh Emergency Management Agency says that no additional resources were requested from the state or federal government as a result of the flooding in the county. They also note that there were no utility issues or evacuations, and say that the river never rose above what they called "minor flood category."
We also did not request any additional resources from the state or federal government, we did not have any utility or electrical power issues, and we did not require any evacuations. We did have one shelter opened proactively by the American Red Cross for a few days, however no one used it, and it closed early. Additionally, NOAA and the Army Corps of Engineers River level showed Evansville never rose above the “minor flood” category.
Vanderburgh County Residents Can Call 211 to Repoer Flood Damage
Additionally, Evansville-Vanderburgh EMA says that now that flood waters are receding, they are working hard to get a better assessment of damages across the county. To do that, they have implemented the use of the 211 phone tool. Residents can contact "Indiana 211" to report property damage. To read the full statement, visit the Evansville-Vanderburgh Emergency Management Agency on Facebook.
[SOURCE: IN.gov]
See Aerial Photos of Flooding Across Vanderburgh County Indiana
Gallery Credit: Kat Mykals
Incredible Aerial Photos Capture Flooding Across Henderson County Kentucky
Gallery Credit: Kat Mykals
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