Flooding along the Whitewater River turned parts of Laurel, Indiana, into a disaster zone, forcing evacuations and displacing dozens of residents as homes, businesses, and vehicles were inundated with fast-rising water.
For families caught in the surge, the damage stretched far beyond waterlogged property. Pets were stranded, roads became impassable, and entire livelihoods were left in uncertainty.
Here's what to know
Local 12 (WKRC) reported that evacuations began in the region Aug. 12 once the Whitewater River spilled over its banks.
"In Laurel, dozens of people were displaced as the Whitewater River swelled Wednesday night, breaching its banks and causing mass evacuations," the outlet wrote in the caption.
Although the river had dropped several feet by the time WKRC reporter David Winner was on scene, flooding still covered large parts of Laurel. He said the water levels were falling quickly, but the town's grocery store and gas station remained submerged, and one school was left "an island inaccessible by car or bus."
Among those hit hardest was Matt Madden, a local coach whose family works in farming and trucking. Describing the damage to his family business, he told WKRC: "We got a farm just on the opposite side of town and I mean our semis are completely underwater, everything. So, it's all everything's gone."
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More background
Near the evacuation center, one resident said the flooding had swallowed their house and belongings: "All of our stuff, everything's completely underwater. Everything is gone." Local 12 also reported that another resident, after water began coming through the front door, moved 10 dogs onto the roof of a trailer.
The old high school community center became a hub for displaced residents, where people could pick up bedding, food, clothes, toys for children, and assistance for pets. Organizers there said those supplies were already running short.
What's being done?
As emergency crews moved people out of flooded homes, local leaders made room at the community center for residents with nowhere else to stay.
With more rain in the forecast upstream, organizers said they needed additional donations of food, clothing, and toys.
For many in Laurel, though, recovery will take time. As one resident said: "I've never seen it this bad before, ever. I never would have dreamed this would have happened. It's just unheard of."
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