Emergency shelters now open in Noblesville & Tipton

On Saturday, Aug, 15, officials in both Hamilton and Tipton counties opened public shelters for victims of ongoing flooding.

In Noblesville, the shelter is located at in Exhibition Hall A at the 4-H Fairgrounds, 2003 Pleasant St.

In Tipton, three shelters are open:

• 4-H Fairgrounds Auditorium, 1200 S. Main St. (pets welcome, must be in a crate)
• Rock Prairie Church, 421 Ash St. (no pets)
• West Street Christian Church, 132 N. West St. (no pets)

More details: Hamilton County

Hamilton County Emergency Operations is working with the American Red Cross in opening the Emergency Evacuation Reception Center for residents displaced by widespread flooding across the county.

The Reception Center at the Fairgrounds is available to anyone displaced by flooding. Red Cross personnel and support staff will be on site to assist residents and connect them with available resources, including emergency lodging, food, and water.

“With floodwaters continuing to impact homes and neighborhoods across Hamilton County, we want residents to know there is a place to go if they need help,” said Chad Knecht, Executive Director of Hamilton County Emergency Operations. “If you have been displaced or need assistance because of the flooding, please come to the reception center so we can help connect you with the resources you need.”

Hamilton County remains under a State of Emergency. Residents should continue to avoid flooded areas and never drive around barricades or through flooded roadways.

More details: Tipton County

City and county officials, led by Tipton County Emergency Management Agency, are coordinating a multi-agency flood response as significant rainfall over the past several days has caused waterways and creeks to rise to dangerous levels. Additional rainfall is expected throughout the weekend, and saturated ground conditions mean even moderate rain could quickly worsen flooding in creeks, streams, ditches, and other low-lying areas.

Residents who are able to do so should consider temporarily evacuating. Leaving before water rises helps keep families safe and allows emergency personnel to focus on those who need emergency assistance.

Safety reminders

Officials urge residents to take the following precautions:

• Move vehicles, important documents, medications and other valuables to higher ground.
• Check on family members, neighbors and anyone who may need assistance.
• Have essential medications, chargers, identification and important items packed and ready to go.
• Never drive or walk through flooded roadways. Water can be deeper and moving faster than it appears. Turn around, don’t drown.
• Do not allow children or pets to play in standing or moving floodwater. Floodwater can contain dangerous bacteria, sewage, chemicals, debris and other contaminants that can cause serious illness or injury.

Coordinated response

The flood response is being coordinated by the Tipton County Emergency Management Agency with support from the Tipton Fire Department, Tipton Police Department, Tipton County Sheriff’s Office, Tipton County Highway Department, Tipton County Health Department, City of Tipton Municipal Services Department and Tipton Municipal Utilities.

City officials also thank the communities of Fishers, Carmel, and Wabash for providing additional resources to support the local response.