Indiana Gov. Braun Declares Disaster Emergency for 63 Counties After Severe Storms
Gov. Mike Braun declared a 30-day state of disaster emergency covering nearly two-thirds of Indiana's counties Friday after a severe storm outbreak brought tornadoes, a derecho, and widespread flooding across the state.
Two-thirds of Indiana under emergency declaration
Gov. Mike Braun on Friday declared a state of disaster emergency for 63 of Indiana's 92 counties — covering nearly two-thirds of the state — following a punishing outbreak of severe weather that brought tornadoes, a derecho, and widespread flooding across the Hoosier State.whas11 The declaration, effective for 30 days, activates the Indiana Department of Homeland Security to provide financial assistance to eligible families through the State Disaster Relief Fund.whas11
The storm system rolled through Indiana in waves beginning the afternoon of June 17, 2026, with meteorologists warning of winds gusting up to 80 mph and hail measuring more than 2.5 inches in diameter.indystar Cities south of Indianapolis absorbed the heaviest damage as storms churned late into the night, forcing the National Weather Service to deploy multiple field teams to assess the extent of the destruction.indystar
Confirmed tornadoes and widespread destruction
The National Weather Service confirmed at least three tornadoes touched down across the state. A preliminary EF1 tornado struck Scott and Jefferson counties in southern Indiana, packing peak winds of 110 mph.wdrb An EF2 tornado touched down in northern Monroe County near Bloomington, destroying mobile homes, downing trees, and knocking out power lines.indystar
At least one woman suffered a broken ankle and a dislocated hip after the storm ripped her mobile home off its foundation as she sheltered in her bathtub.indystar First responders had to approach some damaged homes on foot after toppled trees blocked roads, with some limbs entangled in power lines.indystar Interstate 69 was closed in both directions near Martinsville for hours before crews cleared the debris and reopened all lanes by early Thursday morning.indystar
Flooding compounded the damage
Heavy rainfall compounded the destruction, triggering flood watches across 66 Indiana communities and forcing the temporary closure of State Road 42 in Morgan County.indystar At least 17 areas in central Indiana recorded more than an inch of rain in a 24-hour period, with three locations exceeding 2 inches.indystar
The emergency declaration unlocks state resources for the affected counties — spanning a vast swath from Lake County in the northwest to Switzerland County along the Ohio River — and sets the stage for a potential federal disaster aid request.whas11 Braun's sweeping order is among the largest single-event emergency declarations issued in Indiana in recent years, with the storms leaving a trail of structural damage, downed infrastructure, and ongoing utility outages across the state.whas11 +1