Severe flooding struck Indiana after days of heavy rain and storms, inundating areas of Noblesville and Indianapolis as the White River rose far above its danger level. The river reached its peak in the Noblesville area on Saturday night local time before rising sharply in northern Indianapolis. Residents in riverside areas were ordered to move to safer locations, while officials described the event as among the state’s worst floods in decades.

At least five people were reported dead in flooding and storm-related incidents across Indiana. Some deaths occurred after trees fell, while others involved people being swept away by floodwaters. Emergency rescue workers continued evacuating people at risk and moving them to safe places. Authorities said some areas received more than 11 inches of rain in only two days, rapidly raising water levels in rivers and canals.

Indianapolis is facing its largest flooding situation in at least 30 years. National Weather Service officials said the flooding was nearing the scale of an event that could occur once in a century. Homes, roads and businesses were submerged in several areas. Indiana’s governor declared an emergency, and the US president approved an emergency disaster declaration following a request for federal assistance. Authorities warned that additional rain could worsen conditions.