NWS Flash Flood Warning for Kokomo IN area; active flash flooding Aug 19, 2026

The National Weather Service in Indianapolis issued a Flash Flood Warning on Wednesday, August 19, 2026, at 2:19 PM CDT, placing central Howard County and southeastern Carroll County under an urgent alert valid through 7:30 PM CDT. Communities in the warned corridor — including Kokomo, Greentown, and Burlington — faced active or imminent flash flooding as thunderstorms pushed through north-central Indiana, producing heavy rainfall that quickly overwhelmed streets, drainage systems, small creeks, and low-lying areas across the region.

By the time the warning was officially issued, Doppler radar and automated rain gauges had already confirmed that between 0.5 and 2 inches of rain had fallen across the affected area. Forecasters expected an additional 0.25 to 1 inch before conditions improved, keeping flood risk elevated throughout the late afternoon. Residents near small streams, urban drainage corridors, underpasses, and low-lying neighborhoods were urged to avoid floodwaters and move to higher ground if threatened. If you live in Kokomo, Greentown, Burlington, or anywhere in Howard or Carroll County, the time to walk your property and document what the storm left behind is now — once it is safe to do so.

What the National Weather Service Confirmed

According to NWS Indianapolis (Flash Flood Warning FFWIND, VTEC /O.NEW.KIND.FF.W.0079/), the following conditions were confirmed or forecast at the time of the 2:19 PM CDT issuance on August 19, 2026:

• Warning area: Central Howard County and southeastern Carroll County, Indiana
• Valid period: August 19, 2026, 2:19 PM CDT through 7:30 PM CDT
• Rainfall already confirmed: 0.5 to 2 inches, verified by Doppler radar and automated rain gauges
• Additional rainfall forecast: 0.25 to 1 inch
• Flooding status: Flash flooding confirmed ongoing or expected imminently
• Areas at risk: Small creeks and streams, urban areas, highways, streets, underpasses, and low-lying areas
• Affected communities: Kokomo, Greentown, and Burlington in Howard and Carroll counties

This warning was issued as a new alert — not a continuation of a prior advisory — meaning NWS forecasters determined that immediate danger was present or imminent at the time of issuance. Flash flood warnings of this type are only generated when flooding is occurring or expected to begin within minutes, distinguishing them from the less urgent flash flood watch category.

Residents in the affected area should continue to monitor weather.gov for updated conditions and any extensions or cancellations of the warning. The most important safety guidance during any active flash flood event remains unchanged: do not attempt to drive through flooded roadways. Even 6 inches of fast-moving water can knock a person down; 2 feet can carry most passenger vehicles off the road.

What Homeowners in Kokomo, Greentown, and Burlington Should Check Now

Once floodwaters have receded and conditions are safe to move around outside, a methodical property inspection is your most important next step. Flash flooding events of this magnitude — with rainfall totals between 0.5 and 2 inches in a compressed timeframe — can stress roofing systems, siding, drainage infrastructure, and foundation areas even without a direct structural impact. Here is what to look for, area by area:

Roof and Attic

• From the ground using binoculars if available, scan your roofline for missing or displaced shingles, lifted flashing around chimneys, vents, and skylights, and any sections that appear to be sagging or darkened by moisture.
• Go into your attic and look for daylight showing through the decking, wet or compressed insulation, and water stains on rafters — these are early signs of a breach that will compound with every subsequent storm.
• Check your gutters and downspout discharge areas for accumulated granules from asphalt shingles; heavy granule loss signals shingle deterioration that can compromise waterproofing over time.

Gutters and Downspouts

• Inspect gutters for sections that are pulling away from the fascia board, overflowing at the seams, or still holding standing water long after the rain has stopped.
• Confirm that downspout extensions are routing water away from your home’s foundation — not against it. Soil saturation during events like today’s can turn a minor drainage issue into a foundation problem quickly.
• Clear any debris — leaves, twigs, storm litter — that accumulated in your gutters so your drainage system is ready before the next weather system arrives.

Siding and Exterior

• Walk the full perimeter of your home and check for cracked, buckled, or missing siding panels. Windblown debris and saturated ground conditions can both cause exterior damage even during primarily rain-driven events.
• Inspect the caulking and weatherstripping around all windows and doors for gaps, separation, or compression failure — these are the points where water most commonly begins infiltrating wall cavities.

Trees and Landscaping

• Look for leaning trees, split limbs, root heave near your foundation, or branches that have come into contact with your roof or utility lines. Saturated soil dramatically reduces root stability, and delayed tree failures can occur hours or even days after the initial flooding event.
• Keep a safe distance from any large trees that appear visibly stressed or leaning toward the structure — do not attempt to address these yourself.

Basement and Crawl Space

• Check your basement or crawl space for standing water, wet walls, damp floor joists, or efflorescence — the white, powdery mineral deposits that indicate water has been pressing through the foundation over time.
• If your sump pump ran continuously or could not keep up during the storm, document that observation. It is relevant both to any insurance conversation and to a contractor’s assessment of your drainage situation.

Homeowners in Kokomo and the surrounding communities of Greentown and Burlington should photograph or video every area of concern before beginning any cleanup. That documentation is essential if you need to file an insurance claim. For Burlington-area residents, Allied Emergency Services serves your community directly — you can learn more at our Burlington storm damage restoration page.

If You Find Damage

Discovering storm or flood damage after an event like today’s can feel overwhelming, but the steps you take in the first 24 to 48 hours matter significantly — both for your home’s structural health and for your insurance claim outcome.

Document everything before you touch it. Take photos and video of every affected area, both exterior and interior, before you move debris, remove wet materials, or begin any cleanup. Capture wide-angle shots for location context and close-ups of specific damage. Note the date and time if your device records it automatically.

Take reasonable protective measures. If your roof has an active leak or a window is broken, placing a tarp or applying a temporary sealant to prevent additional water intrusion is both reasonable and generally expected by insurance carriers. Keep receipts for any emergency supplies you purchase — those costs may be reimbursable.

Notify your insurance carrier promptly. Report the loss as soon as you are able and ask about your policy’s specific requirements regarding documentation timelines, contractor involvement, and covered categories of damage. Every homeowner’s policy is different.

Work with a licensed, reputable restoration contractor. Allied Emergency Services is an Illinois-licensed restoration contractor with 27 years of experience in storm damage restoration across the Midwest. We can thoroughly document storm and flood damage, prepare detailed repair estimates, and coordinate with your insurance adjuster on-site during the inspection process. As a licensed restoration contractor, Allied does not negotiate, settle, or adjust insurance claims on your behalf — that function belongs to a licensed public adjuster — but we work to ensure your damage is accurately and completely documented before any repair work begins.

Our services cover roof repair and replacement, siding restoration, water intrusion remediation, emergency tarping and board-up, and full structural repair for residential and commercial properties throughout north-central Indiana and the greater Midwest.

For additional guidance on preparing your home and family for flood and severe weather events, ready.gov maintains free, updated resources on emergency preparedness.

This article is provided as general information only and does not constitute legal, insurance, engineering, or financial advice. Consult your insurance carrier and appropriate licensed professionals for guidance specific to your property and situation.

Contact Allied Emergency Services — 24/7 Response

Storm and flood damage does not wait for business hours, and neither do we. If you are in Kokomo, Greentown, Burlington, or anywhere in Howard or Carroll County and you have found damage after today’s flash flooding, reach out now for a no-pressure assessment:

• Call 24/7: (800) 792-0212
• Text ESTIMATE to: (844) 907-2546

Our team is standing by to respond quickly, assess your property thoroughly, and help you take the right next steps — safely, professionally, and without pressure.