With a forecast for more severe weather, Indianapolis Mayor Joe Hogsett has declared a new local disaster emergency and issued a travel advisory for the city and Marion County.
Effective immediately, the order follows the initial Aug. 14 declaration of a local disaster area due to flooding.
"Current forecasts indicate additional hazardous weather that has potential to further worsen these affected areas, Hogsett's order reads. "Because conditions are already severe, the additional forecasted weather poses an immediate and imminent threat to life and property."
The order means city emergency services, the police and fire departments, the Office of Public Health and Safety and the Department of Public Works can restrict public access to streets and rights-of-way to accommodate emergency response and recovery.
The declaration includes a travel advisory for Indianapolis and Marion County, stating "routine travel may be restricted in hazardous areas, and individuals should use caution or avoid those affected areas. Residents should cooperate with public officials and disaster services forces by complying with all necessary emergency measures."
The order will be effective for seven days unless the mayor terminates it earlier.
As the state continues to grapple with the effects of the Aug. 11 storms, Indiana Gov. Mike Braun said he requested an expedited major disaster declaration for individual and public assistance for 54 counties from the Federal Emergency Management Agency.
If granted, the declaration will mean "significantly more resources to accelerate Indiana's recovery from the recent severe weather," he said in a social media post.
Contact reporter Cheryl V. Jackson at [email protected] or 317-444-6264. Follow her on X.com: @cherylvjackson or Bluesky: @cherylvjackson.bsky.social.
This article originally appeared on Indianapolis Star: Indianapolis Mayor Hogsett extends disaster emergency