Thunderstorm Wind in Owen County, Indiana

Significant number of trees and powerlines downed in the county.

During the 18th midday and afternoon hours, a fast-moving line of severe thunderstorms swept through central Indiana, producing widespread damaging straight line winds. The severe weather entered the western portions of the IND CWA shortly after 1200 EST, with initial damage reported in Parke and Clay Counties where multiple trees and three power poles were downed. The line tracked quickly eastward through the early afternoon, impacting the Indianapolis metropolitan area and adjacent counties. Widespread wind damage to trees and utility lines was noted, particularly across Owen County where an estimated gust of 55 knots (63 mph) downed a significant number of trees and powerlines. Further north, an estimated 60 mph gust in Boone County was followed by a measured gust of 53 knots (61 mph) at the Indianapolis Executive Airport north of Zionsville at 1335 EST. Power lines were also downed in Hamilton County before the primary severe wind threat subsided.

In addition to the damaging winds, torrential downpours dropped widespread 2.00 to 3.00 inches of rain across the region, producing significant areal and flash flooding from mid-afternoon into the evening. Knox County was impacted first, where roughly 2.00 inches of rainfall caused water to flow over State Roads 58 and 67, flooded local intersections from Bruceville to Oaktown, and caused manholes to overflow. As the heavy rainfall progressed eastward, county-wide road flooding developed across Putnam, Hancock, Marion, and Owen Counties, with the latter reporting up to 3.00 inches. The most severe hydrological impact occurred in Morgan County, where approximately 3.00 inches of rainfall inundated a residential home, requiring the deployment of sandbags to combat the rising floodwaters.