EF2 Tornado — Bartholomew, Indiana

2025-03-19 · near Columbus Arpt, Bartholomew, Indiana

Event narrative

The tornado produced nearly continuous, yet mainly EF1-intensity damage across its relatively long track from about one mile west-southwest of the Rosstown community to about one mile south-southeast of Newbern. Beginning just east of Interstate 65, damage occurred on the northwest side of both the Rosstown and Waynesville communities, and then about 2-3 miles west and north of the Elizabethtown area, which included two areas of more intense damage consistent with low end EF2 winds: walls and roofs collapsed on well built metal farm buildings, with debris lofted and thrown a quarter to one half mile to the north and northeast at both locations. Elsewhere, most county roads within the circulation's path had several utility poles broken, as well as small metal high transmission towers (not heavier steel structures) twisted and bent down. This damage was EF1-rated given adjacent wooden double poles (H-frame) that had no damage. Maximum winds were estimated at 112 mph.

Wider weather episode

A low pressure system brought thunderstorms to central Indiana during the evening of March 19. The storms produced an EF-2 tornado to Bartholomew County along with wind damage and large hail to much of central Indiana.

View location on OpenStreetMap → (39.1056, -85.9460)

Source: NOAA Storm Events Database, event_id 1245326. Narrative written by the NWS forecast office that issued the report.