When the Water Rises: How to Protect Your Family Before, During, and After a Flood

Pull up a chair.

This week, parts of Indiana woke up underwater. More than 11 inches of rain fell in less than 48 hours — what forecasters are calling a 1-in-1,000-year rainfall event. Roads vanished. Families were rescued from their homes. Nearly 275,000 households lost power. Governor Mike Braun declared a statewide emergency on August 13, and the National Guard was activated.

This isn't just Indiana's story. It's a reminder — for every community, in every state — that extreme weather is happening more often, and more intensely than before. The question isn't if a flood could come to your neighborhood. The question is: are you ready if it does?

Here's What Happened

On August 12–13, 2026, a historic rainstorm hit central and eastern Indiana. The hardest-hit areas included New Castle and Muncie, where the National Weather Service recorded storm totals exceeding 11 inches — with the highest report at 11.50 inches near New Lisbon in Henry County.

The flooding was described as "catastrophic" by the National Weather Service. Floodwaters entered homes, closed roads, and triggered water rescues across multiple counties including Delaware, Henry, Randolph, Marion, Hamilton, Boone, Hancock, Madison, Johnson, Shelby, and Tipton counties.

Hundreds of residents were displaced. Power outages affected an estimated 275,000 homes and businesses at the peak of the storm. Governor Braun's statewide emergency declaration activated Indiana National Guard resources and unlocked state emergency assistance for affected residents.

As of publication, a federal major disaster declaration from FEMA — which would unlock Individual Assistance funding for homeowners and renters — had not yet been confirmed. Indiana residents affected by the flooding should continue to monitor FEMA.gov and the Indiana Department of Homeland Security for official updates.

Why It Matters

A "1-in-1,000-year" rainfall event sounds like something that should only happen once in a thousand years. But weather scientists use that phrase to describe statistical probability — it means there is a 0.1% chance of that level of rain occurring in any given year. In recent decades, what was once a rare extreme has started showing up on the calendar more regularly.

Here's what makes flooding especially dangerous:

• Flooding is the #1 cause of weather-related deaths in the United States, according to NOAA.

• Standard homeowners insurance does NOT cover flood damage — you need a separate flood insurance policy.

• Just 2 feet of moving water can float a full-size vehicle, according to the National Weather Service.

• Flood damage can happen to any home — not just homes in designated flood zones.

Indiana's flooding is a wake-up call. And the village pays attention to wake-up calls.

What This Means for the Village

Let's break this down by who it affects most.

Families and Homeowners: Flooding can destroy everything in a home in a matter of hours. Most families are not financially prepared for the cost of flood recovery — which FEMA estimates averages tens of thousands of dollars per event. Without flood insurance, you're paying that bill yourself.

Renters: If you rent your home or apartment, your landlord's insurance covers the building — but NOT your belongings. Renters insurance is typically affordable (often under $20/month) and can protect your personal property in a flood or other disaster.

Small Business Owners: Flooding can shut down a business for days or weeks. Many small businesses do not carry adequate business interruption insurance or flood coverage. If your business is in a low-lying area, a commercial flood insurance review is worth scheduling before storm season ends.

Seniors and People with Disabilities: Evacuating quickly is harder when mobility is limited. Making sure family members and neighbors know your evacuation needs — and that you have a go-bag ready — can make the difference when minutes count.

What You Can Do Now

Here's what you should know — and what you can do before the next storm arrives.

1. Know your flood risk. Enter your address at FEMA's Flood Map Service Center (msc.fema.gov) to see if your home is in a designated flood zone. Even if you're not in a high-risk zone, floods can still happen.

2. Review your insurance. Call your insurance agent and ask directly: "Does my policy cover flood damage?" Most standard homeowners policies do not. Flood insurance through FEMA's National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) or private providers typically takes 30 days to go into effect — so don't wait for a storm forecast.

3. Set up emergency alerts. Download your local emergency alert app or text your ZIP code to 43362 (4FEMA) to receive FEMA updates. The National Weather Service app provides free, real-time watches and warnings for your exact location.

4. Build or refresh your emergency kit. FEMA recommends at least 72 hours of supplies for every household member, including: bottled water (1 gallon per person per day), non-perishable food stored in airtight containers, flashlights with extra batteries, medications, a first-aid kit, phone chargers and a portable battery pack, copies of important documents in a waterproof bag.

5. Make a family evacuation plan. Identify two ways out of your neighborhood, a meeting point outside your home, a contact person out of state, and a pet plan. Walk through it with your family so everyone knows what to do before there is any pressure.

6. Protect important documents. Make digital copies of birth certificates, deeds, insurance policies, and financial records. Store copies in a waterproof container and in a secure cloud account.

7. Remember: Never drive through floodwater. The National Weather Service reports that more than half of all flood fatalities occur in vehicles. Six inches of fast-moving water can knock a person off their feet. Two feet can carry away most vehicles. Turn around. Don't drown.

How the Village Can Help

The village is strongest when it's prepared — and when it looks out for one another. Here are a few ways to support your community during and after a flooding event:

• Check on elderly neighbors, people with disabilities, and families with young children. Offer help with evacuation if needed.

• Share emergency alert information on your neighborhood social media pages, community boards, and group chats. Not everyone has the same access to real-time updates.

• If you have excess emergency supplies, consider donating to a local food bank or community emergency preparedness drive.

• For those affected by Indiana flooding, the American Red Cross (redcross.org) and the Indiana Department of Homeland Security (in.gov/dhs) are active resources for shelter, supplies, and recovery assistance.

Sophie's Suggestions

Building your emergency supply kit is one of the most practical things you can do for your family today. Two products from Sophie's Mart can help you store food safely and keep your pantry organized for the long term.

24-Piece Airtight Food Storage Container Set | Pantry Organization

FEMA recommends keeping at least 72 hours of non-perishable food on hand for every household member. This 24-piece airtight container set makes it easy to organize your emergency pantry — keeping dry goods like rice, beans, pasta, oats, and snacks sealed tight, visible at a glance, and protected from moisture or contamination. When a storm is coming, you'll be glad it's already stocked and sorted.

Shop it at Sophie's Mart: sophiesmart.com/shop/24-piece-airtight-food-storage-container-set-pantry-organization

Airtight Glass Food Storage Jar with Wood Lid | Pantry Canister

For families who prefer glass over plastic, this airtight glass canister with a natural wood lid is a beautiful and practical way to store emergency staples. Glass doesn't absorb odors or chemicals, making it ideal for long-term food storage. Keep one on your counter as a daily reminder that your household is stocked and ready.

Shop it at Sophie's Mart: sophiesmart.com/shop/airtight-glass-food-storage-jar-with-wood-lid-pantry-canister

Front Porch Takeaway

Preparation isn't fear — it's love in action. When you're ready, you protect not just yourself, but everyone around you.

Sources: CNN, National Weather Service Indiana, FEMA Ready.gov (ready.gov/floods), Indiana Department of Homeland Security (in.gov/dhs), NOAA.