NWS investigating after powerful storm damages trees, causes power outages in Bedford area

Lawrence County officials are assessing the damage after winds from a powerful storm felled trees and blew out windows in the Bedford area Wednesday night.

"I know the north end of Bedford is without power," said Valerie Luchauer, Lawrence County Emergency Management Director, late Wednesday. "There are some trees down, power outages, a few windows blown."

Earlier, the National Weather Service in Indianapolis issued a tornado warning for Bedford, Oolitic, and Kurtz.

Luchauer said she wasn't aware if a tornado had touched down and said she hadn't heard of injuries as of 9:45 p.m. Wednesday.

"It could have been far, far worse based on the (social media) videos I've seen," Luchauer said.

The National Weather Service is investigating whether a tornado touched down in the Bedford-area during the storm, said Meteorologist Aaron Updike around 10:30 p.m.

"Right now we have not seen anything or heard of any damage that would indicate a tornado," Updike said. "We are in contact with the emergency manager in the county and are investigating further."

The National Weather Service has seen videos of the storm but it is difficult to determine if a tornado touched down from those, he said.

Dave Flinn, Bedford Street Commissioner, said work crews moved about "11 different trees" from the road and that the streets were cleared as of 10 p.m.

"I think we can get the debris cleared by tomorrow," Flinn said.

The National Weather Service issued tornado warnings in several areas of Indiana Wednesday evening, all of which were no longer in place as of 9 p.m.

A hazardous weather outlook was issued by NWS for Central Indiana, including Indianapolis and Bedford, warning residents of gusts of wind up to 40 mph over night Wednesday.

A wind advisory is in effect in Bedford until 2 a.m. Thursday, according to NWS.

The difference between a weather warning, watch and advisory

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.

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.

— Source: Indianapolis Metropolitan Police Department

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This article originally appeared on Indianapolis Star: NWS investigating damage in Bedford, Central Indiana by severe weather