Short answer
The White River at Anderson crested at 24.93 feet on August 14, 2026, the highest on record and above the 1913 crest of 23.60 feet, after a week of storms (National Weather Service). River flooding is overland water entering a home and needs cleanup and flood preparation. Basement seepage from groundwater is a separate problem with different fixes.
What happened in August 2026
A wet pattern set up over central Indiana from August 11 through August 17, 2026. Volunteer rain gauges around Anderson recorded roughly 8.7 to 11.9 inches over those days (CoCoRaHS reports compiled by the National Weather Service, which notes that not all of them are official). On August 14, the White River at Anderson crested at 24.93 feet, the highest crest on record. The previous record was 23.60 feet in March 1913.
For comparison, the City of Anderson says the river begins to overflow at about 10 feet.
Sources: National Weather Service Indianapolis, “Record Flooding of August 2026”; City of Anderson Flood Information.
Flooding and seepage are different problems
| River or overland flooding | Basement seepage | |
|---|---|---|
| Where the water comes from | River and surface water flowing over the ground | Water in the soil around and under the basement |
| How it gets in | Windows, doors, window wells, over the walls | Floor-wall joint, wall and floor cracks |
| When | During and just after floods | Spring, after heavy rain, sometimes for weeks |
| The fix | Flood preparation, elevation, flood insurance | Drainage, sump pump, surface water control |
| Insurance | Flood policy | Usually excluded; sewer backup is a separate endorsement |
Many Anderson basements had both kinds of water in 2026. Treat them separately: clean up after the flood, then find out whether the basement also leaks in normal wet weather.
A simple test: if water comes in again during an ordinary wet spell with the river well below its banks, it’s seepage. The problem guides help narrow down where it’s entering.
After a flood: the first steps
- Stay out of standing water until the power to the basement is off. If the electrical panel is in the basement or in water, call the utility or an electrician.
- Assume floodwater is contaminated. River water carries sewage and chemicals. Wear boots and gloves, and keep children and pets out.
- Document everything with photos and video before you move anything, for insurance and assistance claims.
- Remove water and wet materials quickly. Carpet, padding, drywall and insulation that soaked in floodwater usually need to go. Dry the space within a day or two to limit mold.
- Check the sump, the furnace and the water heater before using them again. Equipment that was underwater needs a professional inspection.
Our first-hour checklist has the full list.
Preparing for the next high water
- Know your flood zone. In our sample of FEMA’s maps, about 8% of Anderson’s city land lies in a mapped flood hazard area, mostly along the river and its creeks. A record flood can reach beyond those lines, and the city notes that properties outside recent flood areas can still flood. See flood zones.
- Watch the river gauge. NOAA’s river forecast for the White River at Anderson (gauge ANDI3) shows the forecast crest days ahead.
- Keep valuables and equipment off the basement floor. Raise the furnace, water heater and washer on blocks where you can.
- Protect against sewer backup. During floods, combined sewers can back up through floor drains. A backwater valve installed by a plumber helps. See combined sewers and backups.
- Add a battery backup sump pump. Storms that flood the river also knock out power. See battery backup sump pumps.
Help after the flood
The City of Anderson posts flood information and response plans on its website, and state and federal assistance programs open after declared disasters. Programs and deadlines change, so check the city’s site and Indiana’s Department of Homeland Security for what’s currently available rather than relying on a summary here.