Rush County, Indiana — A family’s desperate struggle to survive historic flooding turned into a race against time when their 2-year-old daughter was found drowning in the basement of their home.
Authorities received a report at approximately 7:30 p.m. Wednesday, Aug. 12, involving a toddler who had drowned at a residence in Rush County, according to the Rush County Sheriff’s Department.
The child was later identified as Alayna.
When emergency personnel attempted to reach the family, they encountered roads that were impassable in several locations because of the rising floodwaters. The home itself was surrounded by deep water, creating another major obstacle for rescuers.
Farmer Uses Tractor to Help Rescuers Reach Family
With emergency crews struggling to reach the residence, a nearby farmer stepped in to help.
According to authorities, the farmer used a tractor to assist emergency personnel in reaching the flooded home. He then helped transport Alayna and her family to safety.
By the time first responders reached the residence, Alayna’s mother, Becky, had already been performing lifesaving measures on her daughter.
Emergency personnel immediately continued those efforts before the toddler was eventually airlifted to a hospital in Indianapolis for specialized treatment.
Rush County Sheriff’s Office Detective Randy M. Meek described the incident as “a tragic situation” and expressed gratitude to those who helped reach the family despite the dangerous conditions.
“Our thoughts are with the child and the family,” Meek said, while also thanking emergency personnel and the local farmer who helped during the flooding.
Brother Called 911 as Mother Performed CPR
A fundraising page created by Alayna’s aunt, Poshia Bowling, provided additional details about the terrifying moments inside the home.
Bowling said Alayna had been at home with her mother and her 13-year-old brother, Liem, as floodwaters began entering the property.
“In the middle of this terrifying emergency, Alayna was found drowning in the flooded basement,” Bowling wrote.
According to her account, Liem remained “remarkably calm” and called 911 while his mother performed CPR on his younger sister.
Alayna was later placed on a ventilator and admitted to a pediatric intensive care unit, where her family said she was fighting for her life.
Despite the severity of the situation, relatives said they began seeing encouraging signs.
Family Celebrates Major Improvement
Bowling said the family was holding onto every sign of progress while Alayna remained hospitalized.
“We are holding tightly to every bit of hope,” she said, adding that the toddler was showing signs of improvement.
Then, in an update posted to the fundraising page on Sunday, Aug. 16, the family shared what they described as a major victory.
Alayna had begun breathing on her own without the assistance of a ventilator.
“There is still a long road ahead for our sweet girl, and we know we aren’t out of the woods yet,” Bowling wrote. “But today, we are celebrating a HUGE victory.”
The family continues to ask for prayers and support as Alayna remains on the road to recovery.
Historic Flooding Creates Widespread Damage Across Indiana
The terrifying incident occurred as historic flooding swept across parts of Indiana following days of heavy storms and rainfall.
The White River, which flows through large portions of central and southern Indiana, including Indianapolis, reached levels in some areas not seen since 1913, according to reports cited in the original account.
The flooding has resulted in at least seven deaths and caused widespread infrastructure damage, according to Gov. Mike Braun.
Power outages have also affected communities across the state. Nearly 130,000 utility customers remained without power late Sunday, although that figure had fallen significantly from a peak of approximately 300,000.
For Alayna’s family, however, the disaster became deeply personal when floodwaters transformed their home into a life-threatening environment.
The family’s quick actions, the teenager’s emergency call, the mother’s CPR efforts, and the farmer’s assistance all played important roles in getting help to the child.
Now, after Alayna’s first major improvement, her loved ones are focusing on the difficult recovery ahead.
What are your thoughts on this heartbreaking story and the community’s response? Share your prayers, support, or thoughts for Alayna and her family in the comments below.
