The morning of Aug. 15, residents of Rocky Ripple got a clear message: Leave now. 

The White River was too high and the levee bordering the tiny town was at risk of failing. If it did, many of the neighborhood’s homes would be in jeopardy.

Many left, but some chose to stay and fight the floodwaters.

Residents and hundreds of volunteers worked diligently to patch holes and fill places where seepage was occurring.

Hohlt Park turned into a command center. Sandbag assembly lines formed. Levee leaks were tracked by time and location on a hand-drawn map. 

Photos captured Aug. 15 show acts of neighborly love and relentless effort that helped save Rocky Ripple.

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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.

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Photos: Rocky Ripple residents fight against floodwaters

by Brett Phelps, Mirror Indy
August 17, 2026

<h1>Photos: Rocky Ripple residents fight against floodwaters</h1> <p class="byline">by Brett Phelps, Mirror Indy <br />August 17, 2026</p> <br /> <figure class="wp-block-image alignfull size-full"><img src="https://mirrorindy.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/08/20260815_IndyFloodRockyRipple_BP_28.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-88153" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Rocky Ripple residents and other community members from around the city work to place sandbags around the levee to stop floodwaters from the White River from entering the neighborhood Aug. 15, 2026, in Indianapolis.</figcaption></figure> <p>The morning of Aug. 15, residents of Rocky Ripple got a clear message: Leave now.&nbsp;</p> <p>The White River was too high and the levee bordering the tiny town was at risk of failing. If it did, many of the neighborhood's homes would be in jeopardy.</p> <p>Many left, but some chose to stay and fight the floodwaters.</p> <p>Residents and hundreds of volunteers worked diligently to patch holes and fill places where seepage was occurring.</p> <p>Hohlt Park turned into a command center. Sandbag assembly lines formed. Levee leaks were tracked by time and location on a hand-drawn map.&nbsp;</p> <p>Photos captured Aug. 15 show acts of neighborly love and relentless effort that helped save Rocky Ripple.</p> <figure class="wp-block-image aligncenter size-full"><img src="https://mirrorindy.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/08/20260815_IndyFloodRockyRipple_BP_04.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-88129" /><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. </figcaption></figure> <figure class="wp-block-image size-full is-style-default"><img src="https://mirrorindy.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/08/20260815_IndyFloodRockyRipple_BP_05.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-88130" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Rocky Ripple residents work to patch a leak in the levee running under a house. 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> <figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img src="https://mirrorindy.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/08/20260815_IndyFloodRockyRipple_BP_12.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-88137" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Rocky Ripple residents work to patch a leak in the levee running under a house. 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> <figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img src="https://mirrorindy.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/08/20260815_IndyFloodRockyRipple_BP_55.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-88180" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Floodwaters from the White River rise to the top of the levee that surrounds the Rocky Ripple neighborhood.</figcaption></figure> <figure class="wp-block-image aligncenter size-full"><img src="https://mirrorindy.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/08/20260815_IndyFloodRockyRipple_BP_13.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-88138" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Rocky Ripple residents walk through the Indianapolis neighborhood Aug. 15.</figcaption></figure> <figure class="wp-block-video wp-block-embed is-type-video is-provider-videopress"> <div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper"> https://videopress.com/v/rRlRBaPF?resizeToParent=true&amp;cover=true&amp;autoPlay=true&amp;controls=false&amp;loop=true&amp;muted=true&amp;persistVolume=false&amp;playsinline=true&amp;posterUrl=https%3A%2F%2Fmirrorindy.org%2Fwp-content%2Fuploads%2F2026%2F08%2Fflood02_mp4_std.original.jpg&amp;preloadContent=metadata&amp;useAverageColor=true </div><figcaption>Rocky Ripple residents and other community members from around the city work to place sandbags around the levee to stop floodwaters from the White River from entering the neighborhood Aug. 15, 2026, in Indianapolis.</figcaption></figure> <figure class="wp-block-image aligncenter size-full"><img src="https://mirrorindy.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/08/20260815_IndyFloodRockyRipple_BP_30.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-88155" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Floodwaters from the White River rise to the top of the levee that surrounds the Rocky Ripple neighborhood.</figcaption></figure> <figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img src="https://mirrorindy.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/08/20260815_IndyFloodRockyRipple_BP_20.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-88145" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Rocky Ripple residents and volunteers from around the city fill sandbags 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-full"><img src="https://mirrorindy.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/08/20260815_IndyFloodRockyRipple_BP_24.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-88149" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Rocky Ripple residents and other community members from around the city work to place sandbags around the levee.</figcaption></figure> <figure class="wp-block-image alignwide size-full"><img src="https://mirrorindy.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/08/20260815_IndyFloodRockyRipple_BP_17.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-88142" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Floodwaters from the White River run through a deck atop the levee that surrounds the Rocky Ripple neighborhood.</figcaption></figure> <figure class="wp-block-image alignfull size-full"><img src="https://mirrorindy.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/08/20260815_IndyFloodRockyRipple_BP_26.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-88151" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">A nearby neighbor swims to help Rocky Ripple residents place sandbags across the levee to slow floodwaters from the White River from entering the neighborhood.</figcaption></figure> <figure class="wp-block-video wp-block-embed is-type-video is-provider-videopress"> <div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper"> https://videopress.com/v/l5XX0VGe?resizeToParent=true&amp;cover=true&amp;autoPlay=true&amp;controls=false&amp;loop=true&amp;muted=true&amp;persistVolume=false&amp;playsinline=true&amp;posterUrl=https%3A%2F%2Fmirrorindy.org%2Fwp-content%2Fuploads%2F2026%2F08%2Fflood03_mp4_std.original.jpg&amp;preloadContent=metadata&amp;useAverageColor=true </div><figcaption>Rocky Ripple residents and other community members from around the city work to place sandbags around the levee to stop floodwaters from the White River from entering the neighborhood Aug. 15, 2026, in Indianapolis.</figcaption></figure> <div class="wp-block-columns alignfull"> <div class="wp-block-column"> <figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img src="https://mirrorindy.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/08/20260815_IndyFloodRockyRipple_BP_33.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-88158" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Jim Poyser rides in the back of a truck on the way to help place sandbags on the levee surrounding Rocky Ripple.</figcaption></figure> </p></div> <div class="wp-block-column"> <figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img src="https://mirrorindy.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/08/20260815_IndyFloodRockyRipple_BP_31.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-88156" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Rocky Ripple residents and other community members from around the city work to place sandbags around the levee.</figcaption></figure> </p></div> </p></div> <figure class="wp-block-image alignwide size-full"><img src="https://mirrorindy.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/08/20260815_IndyFloodRockyRipple_BP_36.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-88161" /></figure> <figure class="wp-block-video wp-block-embed is-type-video is-provider-videopress"> <div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper"> https://videopress.com/v/afyjvgd9?resizeToParent=true&amp;cover=true&amp;autoPlay=true&amp;controls=false&amp;loop=true&amp;muted=true&amp;persistVolume=false&amp;playsinline=true&amp;posterUrl=https%3A%2F%2Fmirrorindy.org%2Fwp-content%2Fuploads%2F2026%2F08%2Fflood04_mp4_avc_240p.original.jpg&amp;preloadContent=metadata&amp;useAverageColor=true </div><figcaption>Rocky Ripple residents and other community members from around the city work to place sandbags around the levee to stop floodwaters from the White River from entering the neighborhood Aug. 15, 2026, in Indianapolis.</figcaption></figure> <figure class="wp-block-image alignwide size-full"><img src="https://mirrorindy.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/08/20260815_IndyFloodRockyRipple_BP_49.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-88174" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Residents and volunteers fill sandbags using sand from the volleyball pit at Hohlt Park in the Indianapolis neighborhood. </figcaption></figure> <figure class="wp-block-video aligncenter wp-block-embed is-type-video is-provider-videopress"> <div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper"> https://videopress.com/v/oBpHdjtX?resizeToParent=true&amp;cover=true&amp;autoPlay=true&amp;controls=false&amp;loop=true&amp;muted=true&amp;persistVolume=false&amp;playsinline=true&amp;posterUrl=https%3A%2F%2Fmirrorindy.org%2Fwp-content%2Fuploads%2F2026%2F08%2Fflood05_mp4_avc_240p.original.jpg&amp;preloadContent=metadata&amp;useAverageColor=true </div><figcaption>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 aligncenter size-full"><img src="https://mirrorindy.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/08/20260815_IndyFloodRockyRipple_BP_47.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-88172" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Volunteers and residents use a chalkboard to strategize where to take sandbags.</figcaption></figure> <div class="wp-block-columns alignwide"> <div class="wp-block-column"> <figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img src="https://mirrorindy.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/08/20260815_IndyFloodRockyRipple_BP_53.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-88178" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">City-County Councilor Dan Boots talks with Luke Jeffrey, 4, while filling sandbags using sand from the volleyball pit at Hohlt Park.</figcaption></figure> </p></div> <div class="wp-block-column"> <figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img src="https://mirrorindy.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/08/20260815_IndyFloodRockyRipple_BP_43.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-88168" /></figure> </p></div> </p></div> <figure class="wp-block-image alignwide size-full"><img src="https://mirrorindy.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/08/20260815_IndyFloodRockyRipple_BP_45.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-88170" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">A kid runs through the volleyball pit at Hohlt Park while volunteers take a break waiting for more empty sandbags to arrive. </figcaption></figure> <div class="wp-block-group has-light-gray-background-color has-background" style="padding-top:var(--wp--preset--spacing--30);padding-bottom:var(--wp--preset--spacing--40)"> </div> <p>This &lt;a target=&quot;_blank&quot; href=&quot;https://mirrorindy.org/photos-indianapolis-neighborhood-fights-against-floodwaters/&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=88184&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/photos-indianapolis-neighborhood-fights-against-floodwaters/&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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