Indiana weather: Tornado hits Johnson County. Here's what we know.
Severe storms that swept through Indiana and several other states Sunday afternoon spawned a tornado that touched down in Johnson County, just south of Indianapolis.
No deaths or injuries have been found, Bargersville Deputy Fire Chief Michael Pruitt said after his fire department completed its search and rescue operation.
'Just lucky': Residents tell of close calls after tornado rips through Johnson County
The department received the first call related to a structural collapse about 4:15 p.m., Pruitt said. From there, he said the tornado moved through the area in about 15 minutes.The four-mile area that saw damage is between I-69 and Indiana 135 and between Smokey Row Road and Stone’s Crossing Road, he said.Damage includes structures of homes, roofs and downed power lines that could keep people’s power off for days, Pruitt said.
Here's what happened on Sunday.
Weather: Social media videos show tornado funnel, damage in Johnson County
Weather clear in Johnson County following tornado
Johnson County is no longer under any severe weather alerts as of 9 p.m.
Forecasts from the National Weather Service project temperatures in the low 60s to the low 70s overnight and partly cloudy skies, with scattered showers and thunderstorms Monday.
A combination of high temperatures, high humidity and strong wind caused the tornado to form. Meteorologists at the National Weather Service do not expect Monday’s conditions to yield another one.
Indiana weather: 6 times tornadoes have caused damage in Johnson County
Curfew will be implemented in area hit
Officials said they will be enforcing a 9 p.m. to 6 a.m. curfew in the area hit by the tornado.
Many without power after tornado hits Johnson County
Duke Energy reported more than 3,700 customers in Johnson Countywithout power just before 8 p.m. The outages started coming in about 4:15 as the wave of strong storms moved through the area. The bulk of the outages are along Indiana 135. Power outages could last more than 48 hours, county officials said. At one point the outages impacted more than 12,000 customers.
Officials said power lines are down within a 3-mile area where the tornado hit.
Shelter set up after Johnson County tornado
The American Red Cross has set up a shelter for displaced residents at Greenwood Middle School, 1584 Averitt Road.
Johnson County tornado damages neighborhoods in Bargersville
Officials named areas around the Kensington neighborhood in Bargersville as most affected by the tornado.
The tornado touched down in the Mullinex Road area near Center Grove and traveled across Indiana 135.
Clary Crossing Apartments, Golden Grove and Pennington Estates experienced the bulk of the damage, officials said. They advised residents to avoid the areas.
Road closures tied to Johnson County tornado
Areas of White River Township affected by the tornado will experience road closures:
Travis Road is closed between Mullinix Road to Morgantown Road
Morgantown Road from Mullinix Road to Whiteland Road
Stones Crossing Road from State Road 135 to Saddle Club Road
Saddle Club Road from Stones Crossing Road to Smokey Row Road
Several neighborhoods along those roads are closed to the public due to storm damage.
People are asked to stay out of the areas while emergency crews work. Power lines and debris also pose a hazard.
Tornado reported in Johnson County
Parts of northern Johnson County were hit by a tornado and the damage covers a large area, Johnson County Sheriff Duane E. Burgess said.
Several neighborhoods and homes have been damaged or destroyed.
"We are asking that if you do not live in the area please stay out of the area because you are hindering the work of emergency workers," Burgess said.
Tornado just south of my house in Greenwood/New Whiteland #inwx @WISH_TV pic.twitter.com/SchPPCkhpE
— Marcus Bailey (@marcusbailey) June 25, 2023
Law enforcement has already closed several roads in the area.
A tornado warning is in effect until 5:00PM EST for the furthest south east portion of Marion County. This is due to several reports of a tornado on the ground in Johnson County as a result of this storm cell. Sirens did sound county wide. pic.twitter.com/sn2wvZS9XJ
— Marion County Emergency Management - Indianapolis (@MarionCo_EM) June 25, 2023
Report downed trees, debris in Indianapolis
Severe weather ⛈️ is in the forecast for today and DPW crews are ready to respond.
To report downed trees 🌲 or debris in the right-of-way, or traffic signal🚦outages, call the MAC at 317-327-4622 or report via https://t.co/OhOlt9kp4x— Indy Department of Public Works (@IndyDPW) June 25, 2023
Tornado warning: Shelbyville, Morristown, Waldron
Tornado Warning continues for Shelbyville IN, Morristown IN and Waldron IN until 5:00 PM EDT pic.twitter.com/p6IjItYWJR
— NWS Indianapolis (@NWSIndianapolis) June 25, 2023
Tornado warning continues in Shelby County
Tornado Warning continues for Johnson County, IN, Shelby County, IN until 4:45 PM EDT pic.twitter.com/tPzAz9DPXu
— NWS Indianapolis (@NWSIndianapolis) June 25, 2023
Severe thunderstorm warning: Anderson, Yorktown, Chesterfield
Severe Thunderstorm Warning continues for Anderson IN, Yorktown IN and Chesterfield IN until 5:00 PM EDT. This storm will contain wind gusts to 70 MPH and golf ball sized hail! pic.twitter.com/kfu4PtHcO1
— NWS Indianapolis (@NWSIndianapolis) June 25, 2023
Weather sirens sounding across Indianapolis as storms hit
Sever Weather Sirens are sounding in Wayne, Perry, Decatur and Center Townships, including Downtown Indianapolis. A Severe Thunderstorm Warning has been issued in conjunction with a Tornado Watch.
— Marion County Emergency Management - Indianapolis (@MarionCo_EM) June 25, 2023
Tornado warning includes Greenwood, New Whiteland, Whiteland
Tornado Warning including Greenwood IN, New Whiteland IN and Whiteland IN until 4:45 PM EDT pic.twitter.com/HtuO41QItX
— NWS Indianapolis (@NWSIndianapolis) June 25, 2023
Tornado warning includes Bloomington, Ellettsville and Spencer
Tornado Warning including Bloomington IN, Ellettsville IN and Spencer IN until 5:00 PM EDT pic.twitter.com/fFdlSqjwXa
— NWS Indianapolis (@NWSIndianapolis) June 25, 2023
Severe thunderstorm warning for Greenwood, New Whiteland, Whiteland
Severe Thunderstorm Warning including Greenwood IN, New Whiteland IN and Whiteland IN until 4:45 PM EDT pic.twitter.com/0XDNLP3txK
— NWS Indianapolis (@NWSIndianapolis) June 25, 2023
Severe thunderstorm warning for Lawrence, Greenfield, McCordsville
Severe Thunderstorm Warning continues for Lawrence IN, Greenfield IN and McCordsville IN until 4:45 PM EDT pic.twitter.com/1SJiVTJDyY
— NWS Indianapolis (@NWSIndianapolis) June 25, 2023
Severe thunderstorm warning for Indianapolis, Fishers, Lawrence
Severe Thunderstorm Warning including Indianapolis IN, Fishers IN and Lawrence IN until 4:45 PM EDT pic.twitter.com/q6VkbaEeFz
— NWS Indianapolis (@NWSIndianapolis) June 25, 2023
Tornado warning includes Cicero, Lapel, Edgewood
Tornado Warning including Cicero IN, Lapel IN and Edgewood IN until 4:30 PM EDT pic.twitter.com/N5kHt31L2e
— NWS Indianapolis (@NWSIndianapolis) June 25, 2023
Tornado warning includes Bloomington, Ellettsville, Clear Creek
Tornado Warning continues for Bloomington IN, Ellettsville IN and Clear Creek IN until 5:00 PM EDT pic.twitter.com/N6Knzh5WGF
— NWS Indianapolis (@NWSIndianapolis) June 25, 2023
Tornado warning includes Westfield, Tipton, Sheridan
Tornado Warning including Westfield IN, Tipton IN and Sheridan IN until 4:00 PM EDT pic.twitter.com/BBNEmy9AYq
— NWS Indianapolis (@NWSIndianapolis) June 25, 2023
While most thunderstorms will remain weak, meteorologists predict, some could drop heavy rain and hail.
Tornadoes also are possible and Indiana's first tornado watch was issued about 1:30 p.m. for most of the state. Roughly two hours later a tornado warning was issued for areas northwest of Indianapolis, including Westfield.
Severe Thunderstorm Warning continues for Indianapolis IN, Plainfield IN and Mooresville IN until 4:15 PM EDT. This storm will contain wind gusts to 70 MPH! pic.twitter.com/7pjG4aogWd
— NWS Indianapolis (@NWSIndianapolis) June 25, 2023
Hail larger than 2 inches is possible with wind gusts higher than 60 mph. There also is a threat of 2-3 inches of rain an hour in some areas, which could lead to surface flooding.
The storms will arrive after a day of rising temperatures and clear skies and could happen rapidly. The storms will mostly happen between 2-8 p.m.
Difference between a weather watch and a warning
Tornado Watch: Be Prepared. Tornadoes are possible in and near the watch area. Review and discuss your emergency plans and check supplies and your safe room. Be ready to act quickly if a warning is issued or you suspect a tornado is approaching. Acting early helps to save lives. Watches are issued by the Storm Prediction Center for counties where tornadoes may occur. The watch area is typically large, covering numerous counties or even states.
Tornado Warning: Take Action. A tornado has been sighted or indicated by weather radar. There is imminent danger to life and property. Move to an interior room on the lowest floor of a sturdy building. Avoid windows. If in a mobile home, a vehicle, or outdoors, move to the closest substantial shelter and protect yourself from flying debris. Warnings are issued by your local forecast office. Warnings typically encompass a much smaller area (around the size of a city or small county) that may be impacted by a tornado identified by a forecaster on radar or by a trained spotter/law enforcement who is watching the storm.
Severe Thunderstorm Watch: Severe thunderstorms are possible in and near the watch area. Stay informed and be ready to act if a severe thunderstorm warning is issued. The watch area is typically large, covering numerous counties or even states.
Severe Thunderstorm Warning: Take Action. Severe weather has been reported by spotters or indicated by radar. Warnings indicate imminent danger to life and property. Take shelter in a substantial building. Get out of mobile homes that can blow over in high winds. Warnings typically encompass a much smaller area (around the size of a city or small county) that may be impacted by a large hail or damaging wind identified by an NWS forecaster on radar or by a trained spotter/law enforcement who is watching the storm.
Latest update on the severe risk for this afternoon. Hail, some greater than 2 inches, damaging wind gust and isolated tornadoes are all possible. Stay weather aware! #INwx pic.twitter.com/IRJSjJZiUJ
— NWS Indianapolis (@NWSIndianapolis) June 25, 2023
This article originally appeared on Indianapolis Star: Indiana storms: Tornado hits Johnson County. Red Cross opening shelter