At least six people, including a 4-year-old kid, died after powerful storms and flooding swept across Indiana, state officials said on Saturday. Emergency crews used boats to rescue residents from rising waters in Indianapolis.
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Flooding was particularly severe along the White River in Indianapolis. Footages showed water covering streets and surrounding homes in the Ravenwood neighbourhood, where residents used kayaks and rowboats to move through flooded areas.
The Indiana State Emergency Operations Center said the toll also included three women and two men. Two deaths were reported in Delaware County and one each in Jennings, Lake, Porter and LaPorte counties, Reuters reported.
The state Department of Homeland Security confirmed the sixth death later on Saturday, after officials had initially reported five fatalities, ABC News reported. Authorities said the storm system began hitting Indiana on August 11.
Indiana governor Mike Braun said US president Donald Trump told him the state's request for a presidential emergency declaration would be approved, paving the way for federal assistance. The Federal Emergency Management Agency said federal disaster assistance was available to Indiana.