Wayne County Emergency Management Agency

08/21/2026

UPDATED 8/21/2026 at 1:22 p.m. ET - PARKE COUNTY ADDED

Indiana 211 is accepting damage reports for the counties mapped below.

To help establish a comprehensive assessment of damage, residents can call 866-211-9966 or visit the Indiana 211 website (on.in.gov/IN-211).

Collecting assessments via this process will help IDHS determine damage estimates and develop the next course of action in the disaster recovery process. 211 can also help residents connect to local resources to aid in response and recovery.

All agriculture damages should be reported to the local USDA Farm Service Agency. To locate the appropriate contact, individuals can use the USDA locator tool (www.farmers.gov/working-with-us/service-center-locator).

08/21/2026

Repairs on the flood damaged section of State Road 38 will begin next week in Wayne County. The goal is to reopen the road around Labor Day. Learn more: https://bit.ly/4zwkXaS

08/21/2026

Severe storms will be possible on Saturday between 2pm and 10pm with damaging winds and large hail the primary threats.

08/21/2026

🎉 Celebrating 25 Years! 🎉

Today we celebrate Director Matthew Cain and 25 years of dedicated service to Wayne County!

Through the long days, sleepless nights, emergencies, and all the craziness that comes with Emergency Management, Matthew continues to lead with dedication and commitment.

There is no one better to lead this crazy crew and no one we would rather stand next to when it matters most.

Congratulations, Matthew! Here’s to 25 years of service, leadership, and putting up with all of us!

08/21/2026

Date: 8/21/2026
Time: 9:30 AM
Subject: Wayne County Update #8

WAYNE COUNTY FLOOD RECOVERY UPDATE

Recovery efforts continue across Wayne County following the historic flooding. While significant progress is being made, several communities and residents continue to deal with the impacts of this disaster.

Here are this morning's important updates:

VOLUNTEERS ARE STILL NEEDED

We continue to need volunteers to assist residents with cleanup and recovery.

Typically, we have seen approximately 30–35 volunteers each day, but we have the ability to put 50 or more volunteers to work throughout affected areas.

International Disaster Emergency Services (IDES) is coordinating organized volunteer operations and can currently coordinate up to 50 volunteers per day.

If you can give a few hours of your time, we need your help.

➡️ Register to volunteer:
https://ides.volunteerlocal.com/volunteer/

Once registered, volunteers will be connected with coordinators who will provide assignments and instructions.

⚠️ Please do not self-deploy into affected neighborhoods. Using the organized volunteer process allows us to match volunteers with residents who need assistance while keeping cleanup operations coordinated and safe.

WILLIAMSBURG – GROUNDWATER FLOODING CONTINUES

While much of the visible surface flooding throughout Wayne County has receded, Williamsburg continues to experience flooding related to the elevated underground water table.

Pumping operations remain underway as groundwater continues to create flooding concerns within the community.

A DNR hydrologist was on site yesterday to evaluate conditions and explain how the natural groundwater table has risen following the tremendous amount of rainfall received across the area.

Additional firefighters from outside the community have also responded to Williamsburg to assist with pumping operations. Sheltering supplies have been provided to support those firefighters as this work continues.

This is an important distinction: the surface floodwaters may have receded, but the groundwater flooding in Williamsburg is still an ongoing situation.

📋 WE NEED EVERYONE TO REPORT THEIR DAMAGE

As damage assessments continue, we are finding that some residents and businesses still have not reported their flood damage.

If you sustained damage, please report it. Even if you believe someone already knows about your property, we need your report.

These reports are critical because they help Wayne County and the State of Indiana document the scope and financial impact of this disaster. The information collected helps provide FEMA with a more complete picture of what happened throughout our communities.

🏢 BUSINESS OWNERS:
Businesses should NOT report damage through Indiana 2-1-1.

🏠 HOMEOWNERS & RENTERS AND BUSINESS OWNERS:
If you sustained flood-related damage and have not reported it, please report your damage through Indiana 2-1-1 and report damage directly to Wayne County Emergency Management Agency:

➡️ Wayne County EMA Damage Report:
https://form.jotform.com/262253740458055

Please help us spread the word. If you know a neighbor, family member, friend or business owner who sustained damage, ask them if they have reported it.

🌐 FLOOD RECOVERY RESOURCES

Wayne County has established a centralized webpage where residents can find flood recovery information, important updates and available resources.

➡️ Wayne County Flood Recovery Resources:
https://waynecounty.in.gov/ema/emergency_resources.php

This page will continue to be updated as new information and resources become available.

❤️ NEIGHBORS HELPING NEIGHBORS

Throughout this response and recovery, we have witnessed the incredible resiliency of our Wayne County communities.

We have seen first responders working long hours, volunteers showing up ready to work, churches and organizations stepping forward to help, businesses providing resources, and an incredible outpouring of donations and support.

Most importantly, we continue to see neighbors helping neighbors.

Recovery from a disaster of this magnitude doesn't happen overnight, but every volunteer, every donation, every cleanup crew and every person who checks on a neighbor moves our communities another step forward.

This is what Hoosier Hospitality is all about.

To everyone who has volunteered, donated, responded, provided resources or simply helped a neighbor — THANK YOU!

08/20/2026

08/20/2026

Cambridge City Water Update

As we continue to recover from the flooding, we want to provide an update on the current boil order.

Before the boil order can be lifted, the water supply must pass a series of required tests. At this time, we have not yet passed one of the required tests at the well. The well is currently being resanitized, and additional testing will be required afterward.

Based on the current timeline, it will likely be at least the end of next week (August 28, 2026) before the boil order can be lifted.

We understand the inconvenience this causes and appreciate everyone’s patience and cooperation as we work to ensure the water is safe before the order is lifted.

We will continue to provide updates as soon as more information becomes available.

08/20/2026

Date: 8/20/2026
Time: 7:30 AM
Subject: Wayne County Update #7

WAYNE COUNTY FLOOD RECOVERY UPDATE

Wayne County is in the recovery process following last week's historic flooding. Here are several important updates for our community this morning:

OVERNIGHT RAIN & HIGH WATER

Several reports of high water were received following additional rainfall, including three to four locations in downtown Cambridge City and rural areas near Hagerstown.

No major new flooding has been reported. However, the additional rainfall has not helped areas that continue to experience high water from last week's flooding.

Motorists should continue to use caution and never drive through a flooded roadway, Turn Around Don't Drown.

FEMA & IDHS PRELIMINARY DAMAGE ASSESSMENTS

Representatives from FEMA and the Indiana Department of Homeland Security joined Wayne County EMA yesterday to conduct preliminary windshield damage assessments throughout affected communities in Wayne County.

The FEMA representative participating in yesterday's assessments was also involved in Tuesday's aerial assessment of the flooded areas.

FEMA's presence in Wayne County does not mean federal disaster assistance has been approved.

Information collected during these assessments will be compiled and reviewed as part of the process associated with the State of Indiana potentially requesting a Major Disaster Declaration.

Wayne County EMA continues compiling and reviewing damage information from communities throughout the county. Additional community-specific damage assessment information will be released as those numbers are reviewed and verified.

NEW WAYNE COUNTY DISASTER RESOURCE PAGE

Wayne County has established a centralized webpage where residents can find flood recovery information and available resources.

The page will continue to be updated as new information becomes available:

https://waynecounty.in.gov/ema/emergency_resources.php

VOLUNTEERS ARE NOW WORKING IN AFFECTED COMMUNITIES

Organized volunteer operations began yesterday, with crews being dispatched into affected areas to assist residents with cleanup and recovery.

International Disaster Emergency Services (IDES) is serving as the primary organization coordinating volunteer efforts.

Those interested in helping should register online for an available shift. Once registered, volunteers will be connected with the volunteer coordinator for assignments.

IDES can currently coordinate up to 50 volunteers per day, and additional volunteers are needed.

Volunteer registration:
https://ides.volunteerlocal.com/volunteer/

Please continue to use the organized volunteer process rather than self-deploying into affected neighborhoods.

NEIGHBORS HELPING NEIGHBORS

Volunteers from Centerville Christian Church have also stepped forward to assist residents in their community. In some cases, volunteers have gone door-to-door offering cleanup assistance and checking on residents' needs.

Several church members have previous disaster-response experience, including work following Hurricane Katrina and other disasters around the country.

Their efforts are another example of the tremendous support we continue to see throughout Wayne County — neighbors helping neighbors.

WAYNE COUNTY DISASTER DECLARATION EXTENDED

Wayne County EMA provided an update on flood response and recovery efforts during the regularly scheduled Wayne County Commissioners and Council workshop Wednesday evening.

During the meeting, the Wayne County Commissioners unanimously approved extending the local disaster declaration for an additional seven days.

The extension allows the county to continue requesting resources and making emergency procurements if they become necessary during recovery operations.

Wayne County EMA Director Matthew Cain recommended the extension, saying:

“We believe most of the resources that have been needed and requested have already been put into place, but we are still very early in the recovery process from this historic flooding event. Extending the disaster declaration ensures Wayne County maintains the ability to quickly obtain additional resources if necessary.”

DAMAGE ASSESSMENT CONTINUES

Wayne County EMA continues reviewing and compiling damage reports from Cambridge City, Milton, Hagerstown, rural Wayne County and other affected areas.

Damage information compiled locally was also shared with FEMA representatives yesterday as supporting documentation during their preliminary assessment.

Recovery from a disaster of this magnitude takes time. Wayne County EMA, local governments, first responders, volunteer organizations, churches, state agencies and community partners continue working together to help our residents move forward.

We will continue providing updates as new information becomes available.

08/20/2026

* WHAT...Flooding caused by excessive rainfall continues. * WHERE...Northern Fayette County in east central Indiana... Northern Union County in east central Indiana... Wayne County in east central ...