Flood

Historic Flash Flood

A library interior flooded with dirty water, bookshelves lined with books partially submerged, and a chair tipped over.

On Thursday, August 13, the library was devastated by a flash flood that left knee deep water throughout the building. Books, furniture, carpet, computers, appliances, and more were destroyed. So far, we've lost about 3700 books, which is as heartbreaking for us as it is for you.

Thankfully, the water receded the next day, and we were able to begin the long, arduous task of cleaning and salvaging what we could. We are working closely with a water mitigation team to restore what we can, but it is a long road ahead.

For the foreseeable future, the library will remain closed to the public. Please keep any materials you have checked out, and disregard any due dates.

If you're able, please consider making a donation to help us rebuild. We need all the help we can get, and any amount helps!

Updates

September 1, 2026 
The image shows a partially finished room with exposed flooring, metal framing, electrical outlets, and scattered items.

Water mitigation is finishing their work, and rebuilding plans will soon begin. This will include new flooring, drywall, paint, window work, etc.

To put in new flooring, we will have to box up the remaining books and take down the shelving. As you can imagine, it will take coordination and time. Staff is keeping our spirits up by all the good will being sent our way from the community as well as across the state and country.

The most devastating thing about this disaster is being unable to serve our patrons. Anderson Public Library and Muncie Public Library are allowing our patrons to use their services, programs and collections. This is a great comfort to us. Please visit these libraries to obtain your reciprocal borrowing card while we're closed.

September 16, 2026 

Library Director Update to the Community

 

The library was inundated by the flood waters in the August storms. The lost books, desks, computers, flooring, and many other items were devastating to the staff and the community at large. It was sad to say goodbye to so many great books, movies, furniture, personal items, etc.

 

But the greatest loss for our staff was not being able to serve you, our faithful patrons. Physical items can and will be replaced. The services and good will we offer anyone walking through our doors is the true tragedy in this story. It breaks our hearts to have to stay closed and we are working very diligently to get our library back so we can once again serve you.

 

The devastation to the library means we will need to be closed, probably for several months, so we can make the library safe and functional again. The water mitigation is complete. Now we wait for estimates for all the work that needs to be done and prepare for the reconstruction to begin. We appreciate your patience as we work through this difficult time.

 

The good news is that Muncie Public Library and Anderson Public Library offered, immediately after hearing the news of our flooding, our patrons reciprocal cards so you can still get books, programming and other library services that we cannot offer at this time. The outpouring of support from libraries all across the nation was amazing.

 

Finally, let me say THANK YOU for all of your donations. We feel the love from every donation and I cannot express my complete amazement at the large number of people and organizations that gave. Public libraries are loved by so many people and this disaster has proven how important they are to the communities they serve. These donations will take us a long way towards re-opening. We could not do it without your donations, good vibes, prayers, and hugs! Thank you from the bottom of my heart.

 

Liz Rozelle

 

 

Frequently Asked Questions

How can I volunteer to help with cleanup? 

We appreciate the numerous offers, but we're still not ready for volunteers. Right now, we are working closely with the water mitigation team. If/when that changes, we will get the word out!

How can I donate books? 

We appreciate the numerous offers, but we are not currently in a position to take in any materials. We expect that to change down the road, so please hang on to donations if you're able, and we will make an announcement when we're able to accept them.

The Yorktown Friends of the Library is still accepting donations for the Annual Book Sale. The following places are accepting book donations on our behalf:

  • Coffee Cravings
  • Yorktown Manor
  • Heritage Assisted Living
  • Muncie Estates
Will insurance cover the losses? 

Like most of you in the area, the library does not have flood insurance. The flooding we experienced was historic and unprecedented.

To that end, monetary donations are needed and so appreciated. If you're able to donate, you can do so here.

If you'd prefer to mail a check, we are able to receive mail at:

Yorktown Public Library
8920 W Adaline St
Yorktown, IN 47396

If you're not able to donate right now, a share goes a long way! The more visibility, the better.

Has the library applied for FEMA grants? 

Yes. We have applied and been in contact with our representatives. We have no news to report on the status of our application at this time.

 

A library shelf filled with books partially submerged in murky water, indicating possible flooding or water damage.
The image shows a library with water flooding the floor, submerging tables and chairs, creating a significant mess.
The image shows a flooded room with water covering the floor, desks, and scattered items, indicating a significant water damage event.
A flooded office with water covering the floor, affecting furniture and workspaces. The environment looks chaotic and damaged.
An office space is flooded, with water covering the floor and items scattered around. A computer and chair are also visible.
A cozy space with red chairs, a cluttered floor, and shelves filled with DVDs and books.
A cozy corner with chairs and a small table, large windows overlooking grass and a street, and a recycling bin outside.
A cozy corner featuring a display case with children's books and toys, a small table, scattered books, and large windows.
The image shows a colorful activity cube on the floor near shelves filled with books in what appears to be a library or play area.
The image shows a messy indoor space with scattered papers, a chair, and shelves filled with videos or DVDs.
A cluttered space filled with boxes, cables, a trash bin, and some electronic equipment, indicating disorganization.
A "Returns" drop box with a note asking to hang onto returns. It's rainy, causing droplets on the surface.
A tiled floor with light and shadows, showing patterns possibly made by water or dirt, and some scattered items.
A chaotic room filled with piles of books and media, scattered across the floor, with some shelves in the background.
The image shows an interior space with tables, storage, a fan, and large windows overlooking a street with greenery outside.
The image shows a cluttered room with a man wearing a protective face shield, a vacuum, chairs, and various items on a table.
A library interior with book stacks covered in plastic, tables filled with books, and a workspace area visible.
A workspace or library area undergoing cleaning or renovation, with visible equipment and furniture being moved.
An office space with multiple desks, a TV displaying information, dolls on top, and an area with scattered mats on the floor.
A library interior with desks, books, and shelves, showing minimal activity and a person in the background.
An unfinished library space with a children's playhouse, stacked chairs, furniture, and drying equipment on the floor.
An unfinished room with workers discussing tasks, plastic sheeting on the floor, and visible clutter.
The image shows a partially finished room with exposed flooring, metal framing, electrical outlets, and scattered items.
A library shelf filled with books partially submerged in murky water, indicating possible flooding or water damage.
The image shows a library with water flooding the floor, submerging tables and chairs, creating a significant mess.
The image shows a flooded room with water covering the floor, desks, and scattered items, indicating a significant water damage event.
A flooded office with water covering the floor, affecting furniture and workspaces. The environment looks chaotic and damaged.
An office space is flooded, with water covering the floor and items scattered around. A computer and chair are also visible.
A cozy space with red chairs, a cluttered floor, and shelves filled with DVDs and books.
A cozy corner with chairs and a small table, large windows overlooking grass and a street, and a recycling bin outside.
A cozy corner featuring a display case with children's books and toys, a small table, scattered books, and large windows.
The image shows a colorful activity cube on the floor near shelves filled with books in what appears to be a library or play area.
The image shows a messy indoor space with scattered papers, a chair, and shelves filled with videos or DVDs.
A cluttered space filled with boxes, cables, a trash bin, and some electronic equipment, indicating disorganization.
A "Returns" drop box with a note asking to hang onto returns. It's rainy, causing droplets on the surface.
A tiled floor with light and shadows, showing patterns possibly made by water or dirt, and some scattered items.
A chaotic room filled with piles of books and media, scattered across the floor, with some shelves in the background.
The image shows an interior space with tables, storage, a fan, and large windows overlooking a street with greenery outside.
The image shows a cluttered room with a man wearing a protective face shield, a vacuum, chairs, and various items on a table.
A library interior with book stacks covered in plastic, tables filled with books, and a workspace area visible.
A workspace or library area undergoing cleaning or renovation, with visible equipment and furniture being moved.
An office space with multiple desks, a TV displaying information, dolls on top, and an area with scattered mats on the floor.
A library interior with desks, books, and shelves, showing minimal activity and a person in the background.
An unfinished library space with a children's playhouse, stacked chairs, furniture, and drying equipment on the floor.
An unfinished room with workers discussing tasks, plastic sheeting on the floor, and visible clutter.
The image shows a partially finished room with exposed flooring, metal framing, electrical outlets, and scattered items.