Indiana authorities say at least 5 people have died as severe weather crosses the state

Indiana authorities said at least five people have died as a result of severe storms and flooding across the state this week, as first responders used boats to rescue more people Saturday from rising waters in neighborhoods along the White River in Indianapolis.

The state has been hammered over the past week by heavy rains, resulting in rivers reaching record levels and sending residents in search of higher ground. More than a dozen counties have declared local disasters, with much of the latest damage concentrated along river corridors from Hamilton County heading into the northern Indianapolis suburbs.

President Donald Trump approved an emergency declaration for Indiana, and federal disaster assistance is available to the state, the Federal Emergency Management Agency said Saturday.

Indianapolis Mayor Joe Hogsett said the city was experiencing its most severe flooding in more than 30 years, noting that conditions were shifting rapidly. Hundreds of homes in neighborhoods that were located between the river and parallel canals were evacuated Saturday, as first responders used boats to rescue people who were already stranded.

Rita Reith, a spokesperson with the Indianapolis Fire Department, put the number of rescues at 95 people and 45 pets as of late afternoon. Dispatchers had received hundreds of calls for service throughout the day.

The governor’s office reported more than 350 evacuations have occurred in Delaware County and that a senior mobile home community in Tipton County was being evacuated. Rescues and welfare checks also were happening in Fayette County.

Indiana authorities said Saturday at least five people have died as a result of the severe weather over the past week. That includes a boy killed when a tree fell on his home, a woman who was swept away after driving into floodwaters and a teen who was reported missing after jumping in to a river on Wednesday.

“My heart is with the families and loved ones of the five Hoosiers we have lost and every family whose life has been changed by these storms,” Braun said in a statement issued Saturday. “Please continue to take flooding seriously and stay away from floodwaters.”

Jacob Spence, director of Marion County Emergency Management, called it a once-in-a-lifetime type flood.

“This is an unprecedented event, and unfortunately we’re setting some new records,” he told The Associated Press.

The National Weather Service reported that more than 11 inches (28 centimeters) of rain fell over a two-day period in some areas. The White River crested at more than 24 feet (7.32 meters) in the communities of Anderson and Noblesville, surpassing records set in 1913.

While some floodwaters were receding north of Indianapolis, flash-flood warnings and watches remained in place Saturday across a swath of central Indiana.

Forecasters expected the White River to crest Saturday evening in the Indianapolis area, where National Guard vehicles were among those helping with the rescue efforts. Rita Reith, a spokesperson with the Indianapolis Fire Department, put the number of rescues at 95 people and 45 pets as of late afternoon.

Earlier this week, severe storms wreaked havoc across other parts of the Midwest, causing tornadoes, heavy rains and flash flooding. Storm damage was reported from the Chicago area all the way to western Pennsylvania. Power had yet to be restored for some residents in other parts of Indiana.

Residents posted videos on social media that showed submerged homes, vehicles stranded in high water, a power pole being toppled by rushing water and roads being washed away.

There were ominous clouds over Noblesville on Saturday morning, but the river already had marked its historic crest the night before, leaving homes standing in water, parking lots flooded and corn fields saturated. The community's historic covered bridge — Potter's Bridge — was still standing.

“This is crazy for all of us,” said Matt Doudt, the city's photographer, who was out early to document the aftermath. He pointed to a grassy commons area that usually hosts farmers' market and concerts. That was under water. So was a brand new memorial and flower garden recently installed by the city.

He said Noblesville, with its historic charm and brick streets, didn't get much rain in recent days but that the flooding was caused by the downpours that happened in communities upstream. All that water had no where to go but rush down to Noblesville — and now Indianapolis, he said.

Still, Doudt and others are thankful.

“We have a lot of damage,” he said, “But we didn’t lose any lives and everybody got rescued and our city is taking care of people pretty well.”

Montoya Bryan reported from Albuquerque, New Mexico.

This aerial photo provided by the Indianapolis Fire Department shows flooding in northern Indianapolis, Ind., Saturday, Aug. 15, 2026. (Indianapolis Fire Department via AP)

This photo provided by the Indianapolis Fire Department shows flooding in northern Indianapolis, Ind., Saturday, Aug. 15, 2026. (Indianapolis Fire Department via AP)

This photo provided by the Indianapolis Fire Department shows flooding in northern Indianapolis, Ind., Saturday, Aug. 15, 2026. (Indianapolis Fire Department via AP)

This aerial photo provided by the Indianapolis Fire Department shows flooding in northern Indianapolis, Ind., Saturday, Aug. 15, 2026. (Indianapolis Fire Department via AP)

This aerial photo provided by the Indianapolis Fire Department shows flooding in northern Indianapolis, Ind., Saturday, Aug. 15, 2026. (Indianapolis Fire Department via AP)

INGLEWOOD, Calif. (AP) — Something's got to give when the Denver Broncos and Los Angeles Chargers meet on Sunday. Either the Broncos will earn their first AFC West win or the Chargers will extricate themselves from a crowded NFL basement.

Led by quarterback Bo Nix, the Broncos (2-2) have slumped offensively, ranking both 27th in scoring and in total yards per game.

“Certainly this isn't championship football,” said Denver coach Sean Payton, who decided this week to take back offensive play-calling duties.

Chargers coach Jim Harbaugh could say the same about his team, which has been plagued by penalties and turnovers.

One of the league's five winless teams, the Chargers are looking to avoid an 0-5 start for the first time since 2003. Meanwhile, the Broncos are seeking their first win at SoFi Stadium since 2023.

Both teams' offensive coordinators are on the spot. Davis Webb's stint calling plays for the Broncos lasted just four games.

Mike McDaniel's tenure has gotten off to a rocky start, with the Los Angeles offense averaging 16.8 points, which is 29th in the league. The Chargers have used a three-man rotation at running back for the last two games.

“It's an advantage to the Chargers with defenses having to prepare three different tackling plans for backs with various skill sets,” McDaniel said. “If you don't disperse the carries, it's very rare in this day and age that guys are available every week.”

Chargers wide receiver Ladd McConkey is dealing with a the same foot injury that limited him in practice last week and also in Sunday’s game at Seattle.

McDaniel was Miami's coach when the Dolphins routed Payton's Broncos 70-20 in Week 3 of the 2023 season. It was the most points scored by an NFL team in a game since 1966. The Dolphins racked up 726 yards of offense (350 rushing, 376 passing). McDaniel chose to take a knee rather than kick a late field goal that could have broken the single-game scoring record.

Payton joked that he was a having a good day until it was brought up this week.

“It’s a different offense a little bit,” he said. “That’s one of those games where we turned it over offensively, but you get burned a few times and you don’t touch the stove again.”

Denver (2-2) at Los Angeles Chargers (0-4).

When/where to watch: Sunday, 4:05 p.m. EDT, CBS.

Latest odds: Broncos by 3 1/2.

Against the spread: Broncos 2-2; Chargers 0-4.

Last week: 49ers beat Broncos 24-14; Seahawks beat Chargers 30-23.

Last meeting: Broncos beat Chargers 19-3 on Jan. 4, 2026, in Denver.

Series record: Broncos lead 73-58-1.

Broncos defense vs. Chargers offense. The Broncos are likely to be without CB Patrick Surtain II (ankle). LA is dealing with major injuries up front and had four rookie linemen, along with veteran Cole Strange, protecting QB Justin Herbert to finish out last week's loss at Seattle. Pro Bowl tackle Joe Alt (neck) is doubtful to play. Tackle Rashawn Slater (ankle) had surgery Friday and went on injured reserve. Trevor Penning is in concussion protocol and Kayode Awosika is still not practicing. Reinforcements could come in the form of Branson Taylor and Scott Matlock, both of whom started the season on injured reserve and returned to practice this week.

— The teams are 5-5 in their last 10 meetings, with Denver losing three of the last four.

— Nix has thrown for just 204.8 yards per game and rushed for a total of 25 yards.

— Chargers OLB Khalil Mack has a sack in three consecutive games.

— Herbert has at least one interception in every game, including two last week against Seattle. He was sacked four times last week, too.

— Nix played at Oregon for two seasons after transferring from Auburn. Herbert played in Eugene for four seasons, highlighted by a 2020 Rose Bowl win over Wisconsin in his final college game.

— The Chargers had 16 penalties for 130 yards last week against Seattle.

AP Pro Football Writer Arnie Stapleton in Denver contributed to this report.

See AP’s full NFL coverage here

Denver Broncos players react after stopping San Francisco 49ers quarterback Brock Purdy, middle right, on fourth down to turn the ball over on downs during the first half of NFL football game in Santa Clara, Calif., Sunday, Oct. 4, 2026. (AP Photo/Kelley L. Cox)

Los Angeles Chargers running back Kimani Vidal (28) celebrates after scoring a touchdown during the second half of an NFL football game against the Seattle Seahawks, Sunday, Oct. 4, 2026, in Seattle. (AP Photo/Kevin Ng)

Denver Broncos running back J.K. Dobbins (27) runs against San Francisco 49ers cornerback Upton Stout during the first half of an NFL football game in Santa Clara, Calif., Sunday, Oct. 4, 2026. (AP Photo/Justine Willard)

Los Angeles Chargers quarterback Justin Herbert throws a pass during the first half of an NFL football game against the Seattle Seahawks, Sunday, Oct. 4, 2026, in Seattle. (AP Photo/Lindsey Wasson)

Denver Broncos quarterback Bo Nix (10) looks to pass the ball during the first half of an NFL football game against the San Francisco 49ers in Santa Clara, Calif., Sunday, Oct. 4, 2026. (Stephen Lam/San Francisco Chronicle via AP)