Full Breakdown
Mayors Declare Emergencies as Storms, Floods and Infrastructure Failures Strain Mid-West and Northeast Communities
8/16/2026, 4:02:54 AM
Emergency Declarations Across Affected Municipalities
In late July, Niagara Falls Mayor Robert Restaino signed a 30-day local state of emergency, citing the City Council’s failure to fund road repairs and property clean-up.
In Indiana, the cities of Noblesville, Carmel, Fishers and La Porte each issued emergency orders after historic rainfall caused the White River to break a 113-year record. Noblesville’s flood forced 170 residents to leave their homes; Carmel evacuated 40 people from 41 homes; Fishers Mayor Scott Fadness activated a local disaster emergency and opened a 24-hour flood-damage hotline; La Porte Mayor Tom Dermody declared a citywide emergency to maximize FEMA assistance after a hurricane-like storm toppled more than 1,000 trees and left over 14,000 residents without power.
Columbus, Ohio, declared an emergency following a derecho that produced winds up to 82 mph at John Glenn Columbus International Airport. Mayor Andrew Ginther said the declaration gives the city flexibility to allocate resources for cleanup and recovery.
Background and Context
The region experienced an unprecedented rain event beginning Tuesday, with more than 11 inches falling east of Indianapolis. The National Weather Service described the downpour at one location as a 1-in-1,000-year event. The White River crested at 23.96 feet at the Noblesville gauge, surpassing the 1913 record. In Columbus, the storm system was classified as a derecho, generating widespread straight-line winds.
In Niagara Falls, deteriorating roadways and abandoned properties have long been a municipal concern. Restaino’s order targets these chronic infrastructure deficits, which he says threaten public safety and impede police and fire operations.
Data and Statistics
- Niagara Falls emergency: 30 days, renewable in 30-day increments.
- Noblesville flood: 170 voluntary evacuations; river crest 24.6 feet, later fell to 23.6 feet.
- Carmel evacuations: 40 people from 41 homes; 12 sheltered at Northview Church.
- La Porte power outage: over 14,000 residents without electricity; >1,000 trees downed.
- Fishers rainfall: >11 inches; river crests at historic levels; more than 160 families received voluntary evacuation assistance countywide.
- Columbus power outage: approximately 110,000 customers without electricity at peak, reduced to about 60,000 by Wednesday.
Official Statements & Responses
He noted zero fatalities and no serious injuries despite the storm’s severity.
Fadness invoked Indiana Code 10-14-3-29 to activate local disaster plans, authorizing aid for flood-affected neighborhoods and establishing a 24-hour hotline (317-595-3211).
Dermody urged motorists to stay off roads, called on residents to use 211 for assistance, and offered his personal cell phone for direct help.
Impact and Ongoing Response
Cities have closed flooded roadways, restricted access to parks, and deployed police and fire crews for evacuations. In Fishers, road closures include Florida Road between Geist Ridge Drive and Bowline Road, Trails End Drive, and Wapahani Drive. Columbus crews are removing debris, inspecting damaged structures, and fielding 311 requests for assistance. The American Red Cross set up assistance stations at the Hamilton County 4-H Fairgrounds, providing shelter, food and sandbags.
What’s Next
Restaino may extend Niagara Falls’ emergency order beyond the initial 30 days. Fishers’ emergency remains in effect, with the flood hotline continuing. Columbus officials anticipate a multi-week cleanup and ongoing power restoration. Indiana counties plan to monitor river levels and issue further evacuation assistance as needed.
