CARMEL, Ind., Aug. 18, 2026 – City of Carmel emergency personnel, utility crews and regional partners remain on site around the clock to manage severe erosion and high-velocity floodwaters along the White River and Blue Woods Creek. As response efforts continue, the City’s highest priority remains protecting human life and securing critical infrastructure.
Following days of extreme conditions, crews have successfully temporarily stabilized riverbanks to redirect fast-moving water, slowing further channel cutting. This rapid progress has been made possible through essential community partnerships, including material support from Martin Marietta and heavy equipment operations provided by Gradex and Thieneman Construction. Carmel Police, Fire and Utility teams continue to monitor the site 24/7, using advanced flow alarms to detect any sudden changes such as a pipe rupture.
City officials reassure community members that Carmel’s drinking water system remains 100% safe and fully operational, with no boil water advisory in effect. To safeguard long-term service, crews are actively reinforcing a vulnerable 30-inch utility line and nearby force mains while constructing secondary bypass infrastructure as a precaution.
While utility systems remain secure, the Hazel Dell Parkway bridge has suffered catastrophic structural failure and is considered a total loss. Although the adjoining roadway is maintained by the City of Carmel, the bridge itself is a Hamilton County asset. While City and County leadership are working closely to utilize state emergency provisions, allowing design and reconstruction contracts to be fast-tracked as quickly as possible, it is estimated by the county it could take up to two years to complete.
To ensure public safety and allow emergency crews and heavy machinery the space needed to work without interruption, members of the public are strictly advised to avoid the 106th Street and Hazel Dell Parkway corridor. Please respect all barricades and road closures.
Further official updates will be shared as stabilization and recovery efforts move forward.