The recent flooding across central Indiana has dealt a severe blow to local beekeepers and essential pollinator populations. Unusually heavy rainfall and rising waters inundated several apiaries, submerging hive boxes, washing away equipment, and drowning thousands of honeybees.

Impact and Locations Footage circulating on social media platforms like TikTok and Meta (Facebook/Instagram) highlights the extent of the damage, showing submerged hive bodies and floatation debris across at least two major local operations:

• US-13 (South of I-69): Low-lying drainage areas near the highway allowed floodwaters to surge rapidly through the yard, knocking over hive stacks and compromising the colonies inside.

• Keystone Avenue & River Road (near 96th Street): Situated near waterways, this apiary suffered severe flooding, sweeping away hive bases and equipment.

Combined, these two sites account for the loss of approximately 50 active hives. For an individual beekeeping operation, losing this many colonies represents not just a financial loss in equipment and bees, but also a setback in local pollination efforts for upcoming seasons.

Where Donations Go Rebuilding an apiary after a flood is time-sensitive and labor-intensive. Immediate support from community donations directly funds key recovery efforts:

• Equipment Salvage & Replacement: Replacing waterlogged wooden hive bodies, frames, bottom boards, and protective outer covers that cannot be sanitized or repaired.

• Colony Re-stocking: Purchasing new package bees, nucs (nucleus colonies), or mated queens to replace the lost populations.

• Site Remediation: Elevating hive stands, improving site drainage, and relocating vulnerable yards to higher ground to prevent future flood damage.