How to help Indiana flood victims
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Photo: Courtesy of the Indianapolis Fire Department
Hundreds of Hoosiers have been displaced as homes and businesses have been damaged and destroyed by floodwaters.
Why it matters: While many are looking for help, many more are looking for ways to help.
The big picture: Gov. Mike Braun says that President Donald Trump intends to approve the state's request for a Presidential Emergency Declaration, providing up to $5 million in federal assistance to support emergency response efforts.
- The federal declaration will help cover emergency response costs, including evacuations and shelters, emergency supplies, medical transportation and moving equipment and resources into impacted communities.
Driving the news: The Indianapolis Foundation has launched the Indianapolis Flood Relief Fund, accepting donations of any size at indianapolisfoundation.org/flood to support flood relief and recovery efforts in Marion County.
- The foundation says it will work with the City of Indianapolis, City-County Council and community partners to direct resources.
What they're saying: "As floodwaters rise, many of our neighbors are being forced from their homes and confronting tremendous uncertainty," said Ahmed Young, president and CEO of the Indianapolis Foundation. "Indianapolis has always been a city that shows up for its neighbors. This fund gives all of us a way to help affected families recover and begin rebuilding."
Zoom in: The Local Radish is accepting donations (as are Buck Creek, Sugar Creek, Greenfield and Vernon Township fire departments) and looking for volunteers to help sort them.
- Firefly Children & Family Alliance is also taking donations, especially for diapers, wipes, formula, chargers, sleeping bags and pillows, bottled water and cleaning supplies.
Zoom out: The Indiana Fever, Indiana Pacers, Noblesville Boom and the Indianapolis Colts donated a combined $250,000 to the American Red Cross to support Central Indiana families impacted by the flooding.
- The Red Cross is providing emergency assistance, including shelter, food and relief supplies.
💰 In Hamilton County, the Community Foundation is taking donations for flood relief.
- Donate online at hamiltoncountycf.org and select “Hamilton County Relief Fund” after entering your donation amount and hitting next.
- The SERVE Village is taking donations and volunteers and providing support to those impacted.
- Call (317) 645-3261 for support and resources.
- Donations can be made at the Hamilton County Fairgrounds (though that may change and the latest updates are being posted on SERVE's Instagram). Most needed items are batteries, lanterns, water filters, work gloves, cleaning gloves, rakes, towels and paper goods.
☎️ Fishers launched a hotline to provide resident assistance at (317) 595-3211.
- Call 24 hours a day, seven days a week for any non-emergency issues.
- An online form is also available for residents to request assistance or who have flood-related issues at FishersIN.gov/Flooding.