What Happened During the August 2026 Disaster?
On the morning and afternoon of Aug. 11, 2026, a thunderstorm system, preliminarily classified by the Storm Prediction Center as a derecho, crossed from Illinois into northwest and north-central Indiana. The system produced extreme straight-line winds, at least two tornadoes, large hail and flash flooding.
As the system tracked south and east through the late morning and afternoon, additional damage was reported across central Indiana. This included a large swath of power outages and numerous reports of tree damage. This severe weather event also included repeated rounds of intense precipitation, which shifted concern to excessive flooding early on Aug. 12. Reports of 6-9 inches of rain were seen in some areas of that state, with additional rain in the days following. Multiple rivers reached their major flood stage and numerous reports of road closures and localized evacuations due to flooding occurred.
This page will serve as an information hub related to this event and will continually be updated with new information and resources when they become available.
Frequently sought after information as well as helpful resources can be found below.
FEMA Individual Assistance is Now Available
As of Sept. 25, Indiana homeowners and renters in Cass, Pike and Putnam counties are now eligible for FEMA Individual Assistance.
This is in addition to residents in Carroll, Dearborn, Decatur, Delaware, Fayette, Franklin, Hamilton, Hancock, Henry, Lake, LaPorte, Madison, Marion, Morgan, Porter, Pulaski, Randolph, Rush, Tipton, Union, and Wayne counties who became eligible on Aug. 25.
Residents with uninsured damage to their primary home, personal property loss or disaster-related emergency needs due to the August storms, tornadoes and flooding in any of these counties may apply for FEMA assistance.
The deadline to apply for FEMA's Individual Assistance is Oct. 25.
Apply for FEMA Individual Assistance
Residents can also get help applying for FEMA's Individual Assistance by visiting one of in-person events taking place around the state.
For more information or guidance when applying, survivors can refer to the following resources provided by FEMA:
- The DisasterAssistance.gov How to Guide for Survivors
- Best Way to Send Documents to FEMA
- What to Expect After You Apply for FEMA Assistance
- What to Expect: Housing Inspections
- Status Tracker is the Fastest Way to Check Your Application Status
- Understanding Your FEMA Letter
- Eight Tips for Appealing FEMA's Decision
It’s important to watch out for scam artists who might try to take advantage of disaster survivors. FEMA inspectors are present throughout the state. Government staff will always have an official ID and will never ask for money.
Report potentially fraudulent activity at StopFEMAFraud@fema.dhs.gov. For more information, visit fema.gov/disaster-fraud.
$149.7M
in FEMA Individual Assistance has been paid out or allocated
35280+
applications have been approved for FEMA assistance
$23.1M
paid out to National Flood Insurance Program policyholders
Major Disaster Declaration
Sept. 25 - Additional counties now eligible for FEMA Individual Assistance and Public Assistance
FEMA disaster assistance is now available for additional impacted counties as outlined in FEMA's press release.
Aug. 25 - Major disaster declaration approved
FEMA disaster assistance is now available for impacted counties as outlined in FEMA's press release. Both Individual Assistance and Public Assistance have been approved. For counties not included in the declaration, IDHS will continue working with FEMA to conduct additional damage assessments to determine whether they should be added.
Aug. 20 - Gov. Braun requests major disaster declaration from President Donald J. Trump
Gov. Braun requested a major disaster declaration from President Donald J. Trump on the evening of Aug. 20, 2026. For more information on what this means and how major disaster declarations are declared, please visit FEMA's How a Disaster Gets Declared webpage.
A copy of Gov. Braun's request letter can be viewed here.
State Disaster Relief Fund Assistance is Now Available
If your primary residence has been impacted by the Aug. 11, 2026, disaster (E.O. 26-21), you may qualify for an individual assistance grant. However, please be aware, assistance under this program is limited to uninsured damages of eligible items occurring at your primary residence, if located in a jurisdiction that has issued a local disaster declaration and for which state assistance is necessary. Eligible items include certain home repairs, essential furnishings, essential appliances, essential tools, debris removal, medical devices, and essential transportation. Additional information on items that qualify under this program can be found here: SDRF Eligible Items
If you believe you meet these requirements and would like to request individual assistance from the state disaster relief fund, you may submit an application by clicking the button below.
Following receipt of an application, IDHS will review to determine whether you qualify for assistance and may request additional information to process your claim.
To better connect disaster survivors with available resources and support, Indiana 211 will now serve as the primary point of contact for the State Disaster Relief Fund (SDRF). By calling 211, survivors will be connected with live representatives who can assess their unmet needs and provide assistance with SDRF-related questions, including starting an application, technical support, payment updates and next steps in the application process.
The 211 call center is available from 8 a.m. - 6 p.m. ET, Monday through Friday. For support, please call 866-211-9966. Callers will be prompted to dial #9 for disaster resources.
SDRF Frequently Asked Questions
Audits of financial assistance may be conducted by the IDHS for a period of up to 3 years after this award has been issued. Assistance received for a loss already covered by this award, or used for ineligible expenses, may be subject to recovery.
Please note that the State Disaster Relief Fund (SDRF) is administered and reviewed solely by the Indiana Department of Homeland Security. IDHS will never charge you to apply for SDRF, and there are no approved contractors or third parties authorized to assist with the application. SDRF funds may only be used for eligible expenses, and paying someone to complete the application on your behalf is not an approved cost and may be subject to audit. If you need help completing your application, please visit one of our in‑person assistance sites. Locations are listed below.
Report potentially fraudulent activity at IDHSSDRFfraud@dhs.in.gov.
Various Events Information
Indiana disaster survivors are able to meet directly with assistance teams at multiple in-person events across the state. Representatives at these centers will provide in-person assistance, answer questions and help homeowners and renters with programs like FEMA’s Individual Assistance, U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) disaster loans and the State Disaster Relief Fund (SDRF). Some locations will also have a Community Education and Outreach Specialist (CEO) available for individuals to connect with.
Not all services are available at every location and some locations might have additional services available that are not listed.
These services are designed to help disaster survivors navigate the recovery process and are provided at no cost.
In-Person Event Dates, Times and Locations
The latest information about dates, locations and times of the in-person events can be found below. Click each date to see the locations and times.
Each location's operating times are local (either ET or CT). Additional dates, times and locations will be announced as services become available.
Lake County
| Lake County Public Library Hobart Branch 100 N. Main St. Hobart, IN 46342 1 p.m. - 7 p.m. CT |
Available Representatives FEMA, SBA and CEO |
Porter County
| Porter County Library Valparaiso Branch 103 Jefferson St. Valparaiso, IN 46383 10 a.m. - 6 p.m. CT |
Available Representatives FEMA, SBA and CEO |
Each location's operating times are local (either ET or CT). Additional dates, times and locations will be announced as services become available.
Lake County
| Lake County Public Library Lake Station-New Chicago Branch 2007 Central Ave. Lake Station, IN 46405 10:30 a.m. - 5:30 p.m. CT |
Available Representatives FEMA, SBA and CEO |
| Lake County Public Library Griffith Branch 1215 East 45th Ave. Griffith, IN 46319 10:30 a.m. - 5 p.m. CT |
Available Representatives FEMA, SBA and CEO |
Porter County
| Porter County Library Valparaiso Branch 103 Jefferson St. Valparaiso, IN 46383 10 a.m. - 6 p.m. CT |
Available Representatives FEMA, SBA and CEO |
Each location's operating times are local (either ET or CT). Additional dates, times and locations will be announced as services become available.
Lake County
| Lake County Public Library Griffith Branch 1215 East 45th Ave. Griffith, IN 46319 1 p.m. - 6 p.m. CT |
Available Representatives FEMA, SBA and CEO |
Each location's operating times are local (either ET or CT). Additional dates, times and locations will be announced as services become available.
Lake County
| Lake County Public Library Lake Station-New Chicago Branch 2007 Central Ave. Lake Station, IN 46405 10:30 a.m. - 5:30 p.m. CT |
Available Representatives FEMA, SBA and CEO |
| Lake County Public Library Griffith Branch 1215 East 45th Ave. Griffith, IN 46319 9:30 a.m. - 4:30 p.m. CT |
Available Representatives FEMA, SBA and CEO |
There are no events scheduled for this day.
Contacting Insurance
Residents should contact their insurance carrier if you have insurance.
FEMA's Individual Assistance
Please see the FEMA Assistance section above.
State Disaster Relief Fund Application
Please see the SDRF section above.
Substantial Damage Property Assistance Program
The IDHS Substantial Damage Property Assistance Program helps local communities and property owners navigate substantial damage requirements following 2026 severe storms and flooding.
The program provides technical assistance to FEMA Public Assistance-declared counties and their local municipalities to support the evaluation and documentation of affected residential and commercial structures located in regulated floodplains.
After a disaster, local communities are required to assess damaged structures in mapped flood hazard areas (floodplains) to determine whether they meet the definition of substantial damage.
Generally, a structure is considered substantially damaged when the cost to restore it to its pre-damage condition equals or exceeds FEMA’s minimum standard of 50% of the structure’s pre-damage market value. Local ordinances may establish different or additional requirements.
A substantial damage determination may affect the requirements a property owner must meet when repairing or rebuilding a damaged structure.
Local governments are responsible for making all official substantial damage determinations in accordance with their local floodplain ordinances.
Assistance for Property Owners
Property owners with questions about the substantial damage assessment process can contact the Substantial Damage Property Assistance Line at 833-495-9888.
The assistance line is available Monday through Friday, 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. ET.
Call center assistance staff can:
- Explain the substantial damage assessment process
- Answer general questions about permitting and rebuilding requirements
- Help property owners understand potential next steps
- Connect callers with appropriate local officials or recovery resources when additional assistance is needed
The assistance line provides general information and guidance. It does not determine whether a property is substantially damaged or replace the authority of local officials. This hotline is not available for questions related to the State Disaster Relief Fund.
For general questions about substantial damage assessments, permitting, rebuilding or next steps, call the Substantial Damage Property Assistance Line at 833-495-9888, Monday through Friday from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. ET.
Interested parties can also view the Substantial Damage Property Assistance Program FAQs for more information.
SNAP Replacement Benefits
On September 17, 2026, the Indiana Family and Social Services Administration (FSSA) received federal approval for an Automated Mass Replacement waiver through the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Food and Nutrition Administration.
This federally authorized waiver allows Indiana to automatically replace a portion of monthly SNAP benefits for recipients living in designated ZIP codes within affected counties of the Aug. 2026 severe weather event. The replacements are approved based on the date SNAP recipients’ allotments were originally received prior to the storm.
For more information, please view the Governor's SNAP replacement press release.
Disaster Unemployment Assistance
Disaster Unemployment Assistance (DUA) is now available for eligible employees who lost their jobs or had them interrupted by severe weather earlier this month and who live in the 21 counties approved for individual assistance through FEMA
The Indiana Department of Workforce Development (DWD) is accepting applications for DUA from individuals in the following counties: Carroll, Dearborn, Decatur, Delaware, Fayette, Franklin, Hamilton, Hancock, Henry, Lake, LaPorte, Madison, Marion, Morgan, Porter, Pulaski, Randolph, Rush, Tipton, Union, and Wayne counties.
Applications for DUA must be filed by Oct. 27, 2026.
For more information please see view this DWD press release. To find answers to frequently asked questions please visit the DWD website.
U.S Small Business Administration
Homeowners and renters are now eligible to apply for low interest disaster loans including home and personal property loans from the U.S. Small Business Administration. See the SBA disaster loans fact sheet and news release for additional information.
To apply online, visit sba.gov/disaster. Applicants may also call SBA’s Customer Service Center at (800) 659-2955 or email disastercustomerservice@sba.gov for more information on SBA disaster assistance. For people who are deaf, hard of hearing, or have a speech disability, please dial 7-1-1 to access telecommunications relay services.
The filing deadline for returning applications for physical property damage is Oct. 25, 2026.
Helpful SBA resources:
- Benefits of an SBA Disaster Loan
- Disaster Assistance for Homeowners and Renters
- Disaster Loan Applicant Roadmap
- SBA Mitigation Loan Option
Indiana 211
Residents in impacted counties from the August severe weather and flooding are encouraged to contact Indiana 211 to find resources in your community. Available resources range from meals and food pantries, pet food assistance, clothing and cleaning supplies, public showers, mental health resources, testing drinking water, checking for mold, vaccinations, debris removal, shelters and cooling centers.
Call 211 or 866-211-9966 or visit the Indiana 211 website to find resources near you.
Additionally, residents from the following counties are asked to contact Indiana 211 to report storm damage from the severe storm that occurred Aug. 11, 2026: Cass, Dearborn, Delaware, Fayette, Franklin, Hamilton, Henry, Lake, Madison, Marion, Marshall, Morgan, Newton, Pike, Porter, Pulaski, Rush, Tipton, Warren, Wayne and Jasper counties.
To help establish a comprehensive assessment of damage, residents can call 211 or 866-211-9966 or visit the Indiana 211 website. Collecting assessments via this process will help IDHS determine damage estimates and develop the next course of action in the disaster recovery process.
All agriculture damages should be reported to the local USDA Farm Service Agency. To locate the appropriate contact, individuals can use the USDA locator tool.
Indiana Housing and Community Development Authority's Temporary Housing Grants
The Indiana Housing and Community Development Authority (IHCDA) is providing temporary housing grants to help eligible displaced Hoosiers transition from emergency shelters into hotels, apartments and other temporary accommodations. Hoosiers in need of temporary housing can find more information at IN211.communityos.org or by calling 211.
Survivor's with a home that was impacted by the August disaster and who are still in need of housing assistance should contact Indiana 211 by the end of the day Monday, Oct. 19 to apply for IHCDA's hotel voucher. The last day to apply for IHCDA's hotel voucher is Monday, Oct. 19.
IHCDA’s disaster assistance offers two options to support households displaced by recent flooding and storms in Indiana. An eligible household must select only one of the two options.
Please be aware that IHCDA will reach out via email to follow up on temporary housing vouchers. Residents seeking assistance should check their spam folders if they do not receive a follow-up email in their main inbox. If no follow-up email is received, please contact 211 by calling 211 or 866-211-9966.
Vouchers for Temporary Hotel Stay
Approved households are eligible for a hotel stay for up to 60 days (extended from 30 days). If a household is able to return home sooner, the hotel assistance will end at that time.
Residents currently taking advantage of the voucher program are approved for the extension allowing for an additional 30 days from their current voucher start date.
Rental Assistance
Approved households who know they cannot return to their home may choose rental assistance to move to a new rental unit. In those cases, IHCDA covers the application fee, one month’s rent (not to exceed the HUD published Fair Market Rent based on the county and unit size) and the security deposit (not to exceed the lesser of the deposit amount in the lease or two times the Fair Market Rent for the unit). If the actual cost of rent is higher, the household is responsible for the difference.
Households do not receive direct cash benefits from IHCDA. All payments are made directly to hotels or landlords, and total costs vary based on the hotel or apartment chosen, unit size and local market conditions.
Survivor's still in need of temporary housing assistance beyond the voucher program should apply for FEMA's Individual Assistance by visiting DisasterAssistance.gov or by calling 1-800-621-3362.
Indiana Legal Services
Indiana Legal Services (ILS) is a statewide civil legal aid organization dedicated to serving low-income residents of Indiana. ILS is offering free legal help for low-income and veteran flood survivors.
Eligible Indiana residents can get help with:
- FEMA appeals
- Homeowner, renter and other insurance claim denials
- Home repair scams and fraud
- Unemployment insurance
- SNAP benefits
- Medicaid/Medicare
- Homeowners and tenants rights
- Other civil legal issues
Residents can apply for legal help online at indianalegalservices.org or by calling (844) 243-8570.
American Red Cross
The American Red Cross has multiple locations in disaster struck areas that survivors can visit to get help with assistance. In addition to meeting the community’s basic needs of food and shelter, financial assistance will be available to those who have qualifying damage. To learn more and find a location near you please visit this American Red Cross disaster assistance page.
The Red Cross Resource Directory provides listings of organizations for a variety of needs, including housing, food, transit, health and legal. Search based on ZIP Code, keyword or program name.
Disaster Declaration Process
When will damage assessments begin?
- FEMA and Indiana Department of Homeland Security personnel completed expedited Joint Preliminary Damage Assessments (JPDAs) the week of Aug. 16, 2026, with both aerial windshield assessments in all parts of the state - northern, central and southern.
- Be careful who you share personal information with. Scammers may try to steal your identity. If you suspect fraud, report it to reportfraud.ftc.gov.
U.S Small Business Administration
Businesses and nonprofits are eligible to apply for low interest disaster loans including business physical disaster loans and economic injury disaster loans from the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA). See the SBA disaster loans fact sheet and news release for additional information.
To apply online, visit sba.gov/disaster. Applicants may also call SBA’s Customer Service Center at (800) 659-2955 or email disastercustomerservice@sba.gov for more information on SBA disaster assistance. For people who are deaf, hard of hearing, or have a speech disability, please dial 7-1-1 to access telecommunications relay services.
The filing deadline for returning applications for physical property damage is Oct. 25, 2026. The deadline to return economic injury applications is May 25, 2027.
Helpful SBA resources:
- Benefits of an SBA Disaster Loan
- Disaster Assistance for Businesses and Nonprofits
- Economic Injury Disaster Loan
-
- Disaster Loan Applicant Roadmap
- SBA Mitigation Loan Option
Disaster Help Desk for Business
The U.S. Chamber of Commerce Foundation runs the Disaster Help Desk which assists small business owners before, during and after a disaster. Whether you're preparing for hurricane and wildfire season or dealing with unexpected floods or power outages, our AI chatbot can guide you through the process.
U.S. Disaster Assistance
The U.S. Department of Homeland Security provides information via DisasterAssiatance.gov that can help you with your business or farm after a disaster. Here you can learn about financial assistance as well as other resources that can help you recover.
U.S. Department of Labor
The U.S. Department of Labor assists recovery efforts in communities affected by severe storms, floods and other disasters. Helpful information is provided for both employers and employees.
Substantial Damage Property Assistance Program
The IDHS Substantial Damage Property Assistance Program helps local communities and property owners navigate substantial damage requirements following 2026 severe storms and flooding.
The program provides technical assistance to FEMA Public Assistance-declared counties and their local municipalities to support the evaluation and documentation of affected residential and commercial structures located in regulated floodplains.
After a disaster, local communities are required to assess damaged structures in mapped flood hazard areas (floodplains) to determine whether they meet the definition of substantial damage.
Generally, a structure is considered substantially damaged when the cost to restore it to its pre-damage condition equals or exceeds FEMA’s minimum standard of 50% of the structure’s pre-damage market value. Local ordinances may establish different or additional requirements.
A substantial damage determination may affect the requirements a property owner must meet when repairing or rebuilding a damaged structure.
Local governments are responsible for making all official substantial damage determinations in accordance with their local floodplain ordinances.
Assistance for Local Communities
Eligible counties and municipalities can receive technical assistance to support the evaluation and documentation of disaster-damaged residential and commercial structures in regulated floodplains.
IDHS will provide additional information directly to eligible counties and jurisdictions regarding program participation and available assistance.
For general questions about substantial damage assessments, permitting, rebuilding or next steps, call the Substantial Damage Property Assistance Line at 833-495-9888, Monday through Friday from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. ET.
Indiana Debris Task Force
There are new requirements for jurisdictions accepting the State’s cost share match for debris removal. These requirements protect both the State and the jurisdiction. They confirm that monitoring and hauling arrangements meet FEMA Public Assistance requirements before costs are incurred, verify that Debris Management Site(s) are properly permitted and provide a clear, consistent record to support reimbursement.
More information can be found by viewing the document below:
Indiana Bond Bank "RAPID" Program
The Indiana Bond Bank announced the launch of the Recovery Advance Program for Infrastructure Damage (RAPID), a new initiative designed to help communities address public infrastructure damaged by natural disasters.
Eligible expenses include emergency repairs to publicly owned infrastructure, damage assessment, engineering and design work, temporary facilities and equipment, debris removal, and related legal and professional costs. Communities may also seek reimbursement for costs already incurred.
Interested parties can view the following resources for more information:
- Indiana Bond Bank RAPID press release
- Indiana Bond Bank RAPID webpage
- Indiana Bond Bank RAPID program guide
Structural and civil engineering firms database
Below is a list of structural engineering firms provided by the Indiana Department of Administration that could assist with structural assessments.
As a reminder, Indiana Building Emergency Assessment and Monitoring Team (I-BEAM) may only be requested for the assessment of the safety for use or if entry should be restricted of buildings deemed to be essential facilities following a natural or man-made disaster.
Please note: Your county may be charged directly if you engage with one of these firms for structural assessments. For additional questions, please contact your district liaison.
The American Red Cross
You can help people affected by disasters just like this one and countless other crises by making a donation to American Red Cross Disaster Relief.
The American Red Cross
For those looking to volunteer with recovery efforts please visit the American Red Cross Volunteer website.
National Emergency Declaration 3651 - Indiana
National declarations have been announced for 53 Indiana counties. FEMA has provided the following map: EM-3651 Indiana Severe Weather
More information can be found on FEMA's EM-3651 webpage.
Event Fatalities
Seven (7) disaster related fatalities have occurred as of 12 p.m. on Aug. 28, 2026. These occurred in the following counties: Delaware (2), Jennings, Lake, LaPorte, Henry and Porter
The one additional fatality that occurred in Monroe county has now been determined to have not been event related.
Power Outages
At its peak, Indiana suffered from more than 300,000 power outages as a result of the Aug. 11 severe weather event. The majority of these outages are in Lake and Porter counties. Get the latest information on NIPSCO power outages please visit the NIPSCO Power Outages webpage.
Media Briefs
Click here for the media brief for Aug. 18, 2026.
Click here for the media brief for Aug. 19, 2026.
Click here for the media brief for Aug. 20, 2026.
Click here for the media brief for Aug. 21, 2026.
Click here for the media brief for Aug. 24, 2026.
Click here for the media brief for Aug. 25, 2026.
Click here for the media brief for Aug. 26, 2026.
Click here for the media brief for Aug. 27, 2026.
Click here for the media brief for Aug. 28, 2026.
Click here for the media brief for Aug. 31, 2026.
Click here for the media brief for Sept. 10, 2026.
Click here for the media brief for Sept. 18, 2026.
