Neighborhoods

Photos: Rocky Ripple residents fight against floodwaters

Hundreds of volunteers bagged and placed sandbags around the levee to stop flooding from the White River on Aug. 15.

by Brett Phelps August 17, 2026August 17, 2026

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Brett Phelps is a community photojournalist for Mirror Indy in partnership with Report for America and Catchlight Local. Contact Brett by email brett.phelps@mirrorindy.org.

Jenna Watson is art director for Mirror Indy. Contact her at jenna.watson@mirrorindy.org.

Ted Somerville is a Mirror Indy freelance contributor. Contact him at tedsomphoto@gmail.com.

Mirror Indy reporter Enrique Saenz covers west Indianapolis. Contact him at 317-983-4203 or enrique.saenz@mirrorindy.org. Follow him on Bluesky at @enriquesaenz.bsky.social.

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Flooding displaced residents and damaged property. Photos tell the story.

by Jenna Watson, Brett Phelps, Ted Somerville and Enrique Saenz, Mirror Indy
August 17, 2026

<h1>Flooding displaced residents and damaged property. Photos tell the story.</h1> <p class="byline">by Jenna Watson, Brett Phelps, Ted Somerville and Enrique Saenz, Mirror Indy <br />August 17, 2026</p> <br /> <figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img src="https://mirrorindy.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/08/260815_flooding-evacuation-ravenswood_jrw10-1024x670.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-88118" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Wayne Township Fire Department’s special operations team uses rescue boats to help residents evacuated flooded homes Aug. 15, 2026, in the Ravenswood neighborhood on the north side Indianapolis.</figcaption></figure> <figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img src="https://mirrorindy.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/08/260815_flooding-evacuation-ravenswood_jrw02-1024x682.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-88110" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">A home is surrounded by floodwater on Aug. 15, 2026, in the Ravenswood neighborhood on the north side Indianapolis.</figcaption></figure> <figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img src="https://mirrorindy.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/08/260815_flooding-evacuation-ravenswood_jrw13-1024x682.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-88121" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Members of the Wayne Township Fire Department help a man get medical care after he was evacuated from the Ravenswood neighborhood due to flooding on Aug. 15, 2026, on the north side Indianapolis.</figcaption></figure> <figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img src="https://mirrorindy.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/08/260815_flooding-broad-ripple-and-west-side_TS18-1024x621.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-88260" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">An aerial view of the White River passing by 100 Acres and the 38th Street bridge Aug. 15, 2026.</figcaption></figure> <figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img src="https://mirrorindy.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/08/260815_flooding-broad-ripple-and-west-side_TS24-1024x682.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-88269" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Lisa Bugay looks at her phone while assessing the flooding of her back yard Aug. 15, 2026.</figcaption></figure> <figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img src="https://mirrorindy.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/08/260815_flooding-broad-ripple-and-west-side_TS23-1024x682.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-88268" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">The flooded basement of Lisa Bugay’s north side home.</figcaption></figure> <figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img src="https://mirrorindy.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/08/260815_flooding-evacuation-ravenswood_jrw15-1024x686.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-88123" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Wayne Township Fire Department’s special operations team uses rescue boats to help residents from their flooded homes Aug. 15, 2026, in the Ravenswood neighborhood on the north side Indianapolis.</figcaption></figure> <figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img src="https://mirrorindy.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/08/260815_flooding-evacuation-ravenswood_jrw06-1024x683.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-88114" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Members of Wayne Township Fire Department help Kody Taylor and his dog, Charlie, evacuate their flooded home Aug. 15, 2026, in the Ravenswood neighborhood on the north side Indianapolis.</figcaption></figure> <figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img src="https://mirrorindy.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/08/260815_flooding-evacuation-ravenswood_jrw03-1024x692.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-88111" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">A cat looks out of a ventilated backpack after being evacuated from the Ravenswood neighborhood due to flooding on Aug. 15, 2026, on the north side Indianapolis.</figcaption></figure> <figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img src="https://mirrorindy.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/08/260815_flooding-broad-ripple-and-west-side_TS01-1024x682.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-88243" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">A cyclist rides through Broad Ripple on Aug. 15, 2026.</figcaption></figure> <figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img src="https://mirrorindy.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/08/260815_flooding-broad-ripple-and-west-side_TS05-1024x682.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-88247" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Flood water gushes out of a street drain in Broad Ripple on Aug. 15, 2026.</figcaption></figure> <figure class="wp-block-image aligncenter size-large"><img src="https://mirrorindy.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/08/260815_flooding-broad-ripple-and-west-side_TS02-682x1024.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-88244" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">A person wades through flood waters in Broad Ripple on Aug. 15, 2026.</figcaption></figure> <figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img src="https://mirrorindy.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/08/20260815_IndyFloodRockyRipple_BP_06-1024x676.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-88131" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Rocky Ripple residents work to patch a leak in the levee running under a house Aug. 15, 2026, in the Indianapolis neighborhood. Community members cut through the house's flooring, placing sandbags underneath it to keep floodwaters from the White River from entering the neighborhood.</figcaption></figure> <div class="wp-block-group has-background" style="background-color:#333333;padding-top:0;padding-right:0;padding-bottom:0;padding-left:0"> <div class="wp-block-columns"> <div class="wp-block-column" style="padding-top:var(--wp--preset--spacing--60);padding-right:var(--wp--preset--spacing--60);padding-bottom:var(--wp--preset--spacing--60);padding-left:var(--wp--preset--spacing--60)"> </div> <div class="wp-block-column"> <div class="wp-block-cover exclude-from-apple"><img class="wp-block-cover__image-background wp-image-88153 size-large" alt="" src="https://mirrorindy.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/08/20260815_IndyFloodRockyRipple_BP_28-1024x700.jpg" data-object-fit="cover" /><span aria-hidden="true" class="wp-block-cover__background has-background-dim-0 has-background-dim"></span></p> <div class="wp-block-cover__inner-container"> <p class="has-text-align-center has-large-font-size"> </p></div> </div></div> </p></div> </p></div> <figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img src="https://mirrorindy.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/08/20260815_IndyFloodRockyRipple_BP_48-1024x737.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-88173" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Rocky Ripple residents and other community members from around the city fill sandbags Aug. 15, 2026, using sand from the volleyball pit at Hohlt Park in the Indianapolis neighborhood. The sandbags are placed on the levee that surrounds the neighborhood to help prevent floodwaters from the White River from entering it.</figcaption></figure> <figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img src="https://mirrorindy.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/08/260815_flooding-broad-ripple-and-west-side_TS22-1024x576.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-88264" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">An aerial view of Beer Castle and the Emerichsville Dam.</figcaption></figure> <figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img src="https://mirrorindy.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/08/260815_flooding-broad-ripple-and-west-side_TS07-1024x709.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-88249" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">People approach the flood gate at the intersection of 67th Street and the Monon Trail on Aug. 15, 2026.</figcaption></figure> <figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img src="https://mirrorindy.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/08/081526_riverflooding_ES11-1024x683.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-88084" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Floodwaters rise near the levee along White River Parkway Drive West Aug. 15, 2026.</figcaption></figure> <figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img src="https://mirrorindy.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/08/260815_flooding-evacuation-ravenswood_jrw07-1024x682.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-88115" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Reed Cowser (left), 7, and Waylon Bledsoe, 9, stand in floodwater Aug. 15, 2026, in the Ravenswood neighborhood on the north side Indianapolis. Bledsoe’s family was helped out of their home earlier by boat rescue.</figcaption></figure> <figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img src="https://mirrorindy.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/08/081526_riverflooding_ES15-1024x683.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-88088" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Floodwaters rise near the levee along White River Parkway Drive West Aug. 15, 2026.</figcaption></figure> <figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img src="https://mirrorindy.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/08/260815_flooding-evacuation-ravenswood_jrw11-1024x682.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-88119" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">A member of Wayne Township Fire Department rehydrates during a rescue operation Aug. 15, 2026, in the flooded Ravenswood neighborhood on the north side Indianapolis.</figcaption></figure> <figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img src="https://mirrorindy.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/08/260815_flooding-evacuation-ravenswood_jrw12-1024x682.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-88120" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Connor Knopp kayaks through floodwater after evacuating his home Aug. 15, 2026, in the Ravenswood neighborhood on the north side Indianapolis.</figcaption></figure> <figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img src="https://mirrorindy.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/08/260815_flooding-broad-ripple-and-west-side_TS14-1024x682.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-88256" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">An aerial view of the height of the White River and Monon Trail bridge just north of Broad Ripple on Aug. 15, 2026.</figcaption></figure> <figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img src="https://mirrorindy.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/08/260815_flooding-broad-ripple-and-west-side_TS16-1024x682.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-88258" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">The White River flows under the 30th Street bridge Aug. 15, 2026.</figcaption></figure> <figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img src="https://mirrorindy.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/08/260815_flooding-broad-ripple-and-west-side_TS06-1024x682.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-88248" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Lola Blu is protected from flood water by a wall of sandbags in Broad Ripple Aug. 15, 2026.</figcaption></figure> <figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img src="https://mirrorindy.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/08/260815_flooding-broad-ripple-and-west-side_TS04-1024x1024.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-88246" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">A person walks through flood water in Broad Ripple on Aug. 15, 2026.</figcaption></figure> <figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img src="https://mirrorindy.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/08/260815_flooding-broad-ripple-and-west-side_TS10-1024x696.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-88252" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">From left, Mason Humes, Lucas Humes and and Ryan Humes look at the swollen White River from the College Avenue bridge just north of Broad Ripple on Aug. 15, 2026, on the North side of Indianapolis.</figcaption></figure> <figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img src="https://mirrorindy.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/08/260815_flooding-broad-ripple-and-west-side_TS20-1024x682.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-88262" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">An view of the White River and the 16th Street bridge.</figcaption></figure> <p><em>Ted Somerville is a Mirror Indy freelance contributor. Contact him at <a href="mailto:tedsomphoto@gmail.com" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">tedsomphoto@gmail.com</a>.</em></p> <p>This &lt;a target=&quot;_blank&quot; href=&quot;https://mirrorindy.org/flooding-photos-indianapolis-august-15/&quot;&gt;article&lt;/a&gt; first appeared on &lt;a target=&quot;_blank&quot; href=&quot;https://mirrorindy.org&quot;&gt;Mirror Indy&lt;/a&gt; and is republished here under a &lt;a target=&quot;_blank&quot; href=&quot;https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nd/4.0/&quot;&gt;Creative Commons Attribution-NoDerivatives 4.0 International License&lt;/a&gt;.&lt;img src=&quot;https://i0.wp.com/mirrorindy.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/07/cropped-Mirror-Indy-square-logo-1.png?resize=150%2C150&amp;amp;ssl=1&quot; style=&quot;width:1em;height:1em;margin-left:10px;&quot;&gt;</p> &lt;img id=&quot;republication-tracker-tool-source&quot; src=&quot;https://mirrorindy.org/?republication-pixel=true&amp;post=88271&amp;amp;ga4=G-X0R0QW371R&quot; style=&quot;width:1px;height:1px;&quot;&gt;&lt;script&gt; PARSELY = { autotrack: false, onload: function() { PARSELY.beacon.trackPageView({ url: &quot;https://mirrorindy.org/flooding-photos-indianapolis-august-15/&quot;, urlref: window.location.href }); } } &lt;/script&gt; &lt;script id=&quot;parsely-cfg&quot; src=&quot;//cdn.parsely.com/keys/mirrorindy.org/p.js&quot;&gt;&lt;/script&gt;

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