Historic floods leave at least six dead in Indiana

At least six people have died in the US state of Indiana after severe storms brought record-breaking rainfall and triggered widespread flooding.

Authorities said several areas received more than 11 inches of rain over two days. The heavy rainfall caused the White River to rise rapidly, flooding communities and forcing large-scale rescue operations.

More than 90 people and 45 pets were rescued from flooded areas, according to local authorities. The worst flooding was reported along the White River, stretching from Hamilton County towards the northern suburbs of Indianapolis.

Several neighbourhoods were left under water. In Indianapolis, floodwaters submerged vehicles and reached residential properties. Some residents used kayaks and small boats to move through streets that had turned into waterways.

The White River rose above 24 feet in Anderson and Noblesville. The level exceeded records set during the major flooding of 1913, highlighting the severity of the disaster.

Indianapolis Mayor Joe Hogsett declared a local emergency and urged people living near the river to leave their homes if authorities advised evacuation.

Emergency officials described the flooding as an unprecedented event. Marion County Emergency Management director Jacob Spence said the scale of the disaster was unlike anything recently experienced in the area.

Several counties reported storm-related deaths. One woman, aged 58, was found dead in Delaware County after apparently attempting to drive through floodwaters.

Authorities also confirmed fatalities in Jennings, White, Porter and La Porte counties.

Indiana Governor Mike Braun said he had spoken with US President Donald Trump about the disaster. He said a request for a federal emergency declaration was being processed to speed up assistance for affected communities.

Braun expressed sympathy for the families who lost loved ones and urged residents to remain cautious. He warned people to stay away from flooded roads and fast-moving water.

The National Weather Service continued to issue flood warnings across parts of central Indiana. Officials warned that water levels were still rising in some locations.

More severe weather was also expected. Emergency authorities urged residents to monitor official warnings and avoid unnecessary travel.

The storms were not limited to Indiana. Tornadoes, intense rainfall and flash flooding affected several parts of the US Midwest. Damage was reported across a broad area stretching from the Chicago region towards western Pennsylvania.