Franklin Co. EMA Outlines Response to Last Week's Historic Flooding

The agency has transitioned from response to recovery efforts.

(Franklin County, Ind.) – Franklin County Emergency Management (FCEMA) has provided an outline for emergency response following catastrophic flooding of the Whitewater River last week.

The event prompted a multi-agency emergency response, the evacuation of dozens of residents, and the activation of three community shelters.

Franklin County has since transitioned from response to recovery operations.

FCEMA activated the Emergency Operations Center on Wednesday, August 12, which was staffed jointly with mutual aid support from the Indiana Department of Homeland Security and Clark County public safety personnel.

Search and rescue teams were deployed to Laurel and Metamora. A total of 31 water rescues were made in Laurel and another 14 in Metamora.

The Franklin County EOC remained staffed 24-hours during the height of the response before reducing staffing to 12-hour operations on Sunday, August 16.

The EOC remains active and is coordinating ongoing recovery operations. Multiple nonprofit organizations and other partner agencies remain active in Franklin County assisting residents with debris removal and cleanup.

Teams are currently conducting damage assessments across the county. Residents whose homes were impacted by flooding are urged to submit their own reports to Indiana 211 at www.on.in.gov/IN-211.

A mobile clinic will be present in Laurel on Wednesday, August 19 from 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. and Friday, August 21 from 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. to provide tetanus (Tdap) vaccinations. Hepatitis A & B vaccinations will be available at the Franklin County Health Department from 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. Monday through Friday.