Alert archive / Indiana / Flash Flood Warnings in 2026

Flash Flood Warning 86, NWS Indianapolis, IN

August 20, 2026Hendricks County, Morgan County, Putnam County, Indiana

NWS Indianapolis, IN issued this flash flood warning at Aug 20, 2026, 2:55 AM EDT for Hendricks County, Morgan County, Putnam County, Indiana. It was in force for 6 hr. 3 reports came from inside the area while it was in force.

The area

The outline as issued, with what was reported inside it.

The facts

Issued
Aug 20, 2026, 2:55 AM EDT (06:55 UTC)
Expired
Aug 20, 2026, 9:00 AM EDT
In force
6 hr
Issued by
NWS Indianapolis, IN
Area
Storm-based polygon
Flood severity
None

Counties Hendricks County, IN, Morgan County, IN, Putnam County, IN

The radar

The Indianapolis radar (KIND), 36 km from the middle of the area, began a volume at 06:59 UTC, the scan nearest the moment this went out.

Open the radar archive at this moment

The archived warnings, watches and discussions in force at that minute are drawn over the scan, this one among them.

What was reported inside it

TimeReportWhereRemark
Aug 20, 7:25 AM EDTRAIN 2.34 Ese Greencastle, IN
Aug 20, 7:30 AM EDTRAIN 2.713 N Cagles Mill Lake, IN
Aug 20, 8:27 AM EDTRAIN 2.312 Ese Eminence, IN

Local storm reports filed while the alert was in force, from inside its polygon or its counties.

Did it verify

Not verified. The Iowa Environmental Mesonet's Cow found no qualifying storm report inside this flash flood warning while it was in force. That is not proof nothing happened: reports are thin where few people live.

Cow counts a report within 15 km of the polygon while the warning was in force: a tornado for a tornado warning; hail of 1 inch or more, a gust of 58 mph or more or wind damage for a severe thunderstorm warning; a flash flood report for a flash flood warning.

The nearest sounding before it

Lincoln, IL (KILX), launched 00:00Z, 6.9 hours before the alert went out and 174 km from the middle of its area. This is the routine balloon launch nearest before it, the air the forecaster had in hand, not a measurement taken for the alert.

Skew-T log-pSkew-T log-p diagram, Lincoln, IL at 00:00Z on 2026-08-20Temperature and dew point through the depth of the atmosphere, with the mixed-layer parcel. CAPE 1062 joules per kilogram.LCLLFCEL10008507005003002001001 km2 km3 km6 km9 km12 km15 km-30°-20°-10°0°10°20°30°40°
Temperature in red, dew point in green, the mixed-layer parcel dashed.
HodographHodograph, Lincoln, IL at 00:00Z on 2026-08-20The wind through the lowest 10 kilometers. Zero to 1 km storm-relative helicity 0 square meters per square second.1939587897Sfc1 km3 km6 km9 kmRMLM
The wind turning with height, colored by layer: ground to 1 km, 1 to 3 km, 3 to 6 km, 6 to 10 km.
Mixed-layer CAPE
1062 J/kg
Mixed-layer CIN
-8 J/kg
Mixed-layer LCL
948 m above ground
0-6 km bulk shear
39 kt
0-1 km storm-relative helicity
0 m²/s²
0-3 km storm-relative helicity
64 m²/s²
Significant tornado parameter
0.0
Supercell composite
0.0

Open this sounding in Storm Lab

The text

As transmitted.

715 
WGUS53 KIND 200655
FFWIND
INC063-109-133-201300-
/O.NEW.KIND.FF.W.0086.260820T0655Z-260820T1300Z/
/00000.0.ER.000000T0000Z.000000T0000Z.000000T0000Z.OO/

BULLETIN - EAS ACTIVATION REQUESTED
Flash Flood Warning
National Weather Service Indianapolis IN
255 AM EDT Thu Aug 20 2026

The National Weather Service in Indianapolis has issued a

* Flash Flood Warning for...
  Southwestern Hendricks County in central Indiana...
  Northwestern Morgan County in central Indiana...
  Southeastern Putnam County in west central Indiana...

* Until 900 AM EDT Thursday.

* At 255 AM EDT, Putnam County dispatch reported thunderstorms 
  producing heavy rain across the warned area. Up to 3.5 inches of 
  rain have fallen. Additional rainfall amounts up to 0.5 inches are 
  possible in the warned area. Flash flooding is ongoing or expected 
  to begin shortly.

  HAZARD...Flash flooding caused by thunderstorms.

  SOURCE...Local dispatch reported.

  IMPACT...Flash flooding of small creeks and streams, urban
           areas, highways, streets and underpasses as well as
           other poor drainage and low-lying areas.

* Some locations that will experience flash flooding include...
  Greencastle, Cloverdale, Fillmore, Coatesville, Amo, Stilesville, 
  Belle Union, Little Point and Eminence.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

Turn around, don't drown when encountering flooded roads. Most flood 
deaths occur in vehicles.

Be especially cautious at night when it is harder to recognize the 
dangers of flooding.

Be aware of your surroundings and do not drive on flooded roads.

&&

LAT...LON 3973 8669 3963 8647 3960 8647 3947 8663
      3947 8694 3972 8688

FLASH FLOOD...OBSERVED

$$

AGM
1 follow-up statement
414 
WGUS73 KIND 201257
FFSIND

Flash Flood Statement
National Weather Service Indianapolis IN
857 AM EDT Thu Aug 20 2026

INC063-109-133-201307-
/O.EXP.KIND.FF.W.0086.000000T0000Z-260820T1300Z/
/00000.0.ER.000000T0000Z.000000T0000Z.000000T0000Z.OO/
Hendricks IN-Morgan IN-Putnam IN-
857 AM EDT Thu Aug 20 2026

...FLASH FLOOD WARNING WILL EXPIRE AT 9 AM EDT THIS MORNING FOR 
SOUTHWESTERN HENDRICKS, NORTHWESTERN MORGAN AND SOUTHEASTERN PUTNAM 
COUNTIES...

The heavy rain has ended. A flood advisory remains in effect, so 
flood impacts remain but the flash flood threat has passed. Please 
continue to heed remaining road closures.

&&

LAT...LON 3973 8669 3963 8647 3960 8647 3947 8663
      3947 8694 3972 8688

$$

CP

What forecasters said that day

The local office's own words before this flash flood warning went out, as it sent them, from the Iowa Environmental Mesonet's archive of National Weather Service text.

NWS Indianapolis, IN wrote its last area forecast discussion before this flash flood warning went out at Aug 20, 12:53 AM EDT, 2 hours 2 minutes earlier. Its key messages:

  • Flood Watch in effect through 8AM Thursday across the northern half of central IN with localized flash flooding possible
  • Scattered to numerous showers and storms are expected this afternoon into tonight, isolated severe storms are possible
  • Generally drier late this week through early next week, but there is a chance for showers and storms late Friday into Saturday
Area forecast discussion, Aug 20, 12:53 AM EDT, 2 hours 2 minutes before
Area Forecast Discussion
National Weather Service Indianapolis IN
1253 AM EDT Thu Aug 20 2026

.KEY MESSAGES...

- Flood Watch in effect through 8AM Thursday across the northern
half of central IN with localized flash flooding possible

- Scattered to numerous showers and storms are expected this
afternoon into tonight, isolated severe storms are possible

- Generally drier late this week through early next week, but there
is a chance for showers and storms late Friday into Saturday

&&

.FORECAST UPDATE...
Issued at 1004 PM EDT Wed Aug 19 2026

Showers and thunderstorms continue across the northern half of
central Indiana this evening. Additional convection has developed in
central and northern Illinois, with isolated cells even developing
in northern Indiana.

These were forming in a moist atmosphere along a slow moving surface
front as well as numerous outflow boundaries across the region. Some
upper energy and mid level jet dynamics is also helping generate the
convection, especially over Illinois.

Convection across central Indiana will continue to slowly move
south. The slow movement will keep the threat for heavy rain and
flash flooding around. With the upper influence, the convection
across central Illinois should move southeast into the area into the
overnight (as the surface front slowly sinks south).

Some instability and shear exist, and KILX's radar has been showing
strong to near severe winds not far off the surface with the central
Illinois convection. Given these, isolated severe storms will remain
possible tonight. The best parameters may develop south of the
forecast area, per the latest Storm Prediction Center Mesoscale
Discussion.

Have slowed the progression of higher PoPs based on these trends.
Will likely have to make further adjustments depending as convection
evolves.

&&

.DISCUSSION (This evening through Wednesday)...
Issued at 332 PM EDT Wed Aug 19 2026

As of this afternoon, scattered thunderstorms have popped up across
north-central Indiana. There is a marginal severe threat this
afternoon through the evening with isolated damaging winds
possible and some hail as well. With how saturated the ground is,
trees could more easily be knocked over.

Flooding continues to be the main threat for the forecast area
unfortunately. Some of these afternoon storms are already
producing rain rate of over 2 in/hr, across northern portion of
the forecast area. A flood watch is in effect through the morning.
Rivers and creeks are likely to rise again from this rain. Where
exact impacts occur will depend on which river basin the highest
amounts of rainfall fall. Models have been largely highlighting
that some of these highest amounts will fall over the White River
basin, which could lead to river points along the White within
Indianapolis to return to action stage by the weekend and can't
rule out a chance of brief return to Minor flooding too.

Rivers remain high across the area, continue avoiding flood waters
and stay out of rivers.

Behind the wave, northwest flow will become more dominate aloft as
upper high pressure builds over the desert SW and upper troughing
builds to the NE of the forecast area. Meanwhile at the surface,
weak high pressure will generally be in the region leading to a
mostly dry rest of the forecast period outside of periodic chances
for showers and storms. Saturday seems to be the next best chance of
precipitation but again, those are still low chances. Temperatures
throughout the forecast period will see highs in the upper 70s to
low/mid 80s and lows from the upper 50s to mid 60s.

&&

.AVIATION (06Z TAF Issuance)...
Issued at 1252 AM EDT Thu Aug 20 2026

Impacts:

- Scattered SHRA/isolated TSRA ending north to south through 10Z.
- FG/low stratus likely overnight for most terminals.

Discussion:

Weak cold front located from near Terre Haute to north of Cincinnati
will continue to push south through 12Z. Near this boundary,
scattered SHRA will persist through 08Z to 10Z, with embedded TSRA
possible near KIND/KBMG/KHUF. Low stratus and/or BR/FG resulting in
MVFR to IFR conditions are likely after 08Z to 10Z, with CIGs below
500ft AGL possible, especially near areas that received the heaviest
rainfall Wednesday evening. Additional visibility reductions and
MVFR/IFR conditions are possible Thursday night. Winds behind the
front will remain northerly (010-040 degrees true) through the TAF
period, with speeds generally remaining 7 knots or less.

&&

.IND WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES...
Flood Watch until 8 AM EDT Thursday for INZ021-028>031-035>049-
054>057.

&&

UPDATE...50
AVIATION...BEP
DISCUSSION...KF
Hazardous weather outlook, Aug 19, 3:50 PM EDT, 11 hours 5 minutes before
Hazardous Weather Outlook
National Weather Service Indianapolis IN
350 PM EDT Wed Aug 19 2026

INZ021-028>031-035>049-054>057-202000-
Carroll-Warren-Tippecanoe-Clinton-Howard-Fountain-Montgomery-Boone-
Tipton-Hamilton-Madison-Delaware-Randolph-Vermillion-Parke-Putnam-
Hendricks-Marion-Hancock-Henry-Morgan-Johnson-Shelby-Rush-
350 PM EDT Wed Aug 19 2026

This hazardous weather outlook is for central Indiana.

.DAY ONE...Through Tonight.

Widespread minor to moderate river flooding will continue along the
Wabash, White, and East Fork White Rivers and adjacent lowlands.

A flood watch is in effect through 8 AM Thursday as training
thunderstorms over saturated soils could lead to localized flash
flooding. Isolated strong to severe storms are also possible with
primarily a damaging wind gust threat and potential for some hail.

.DAYS TWO THROUGH SEVEN...Thursday through Tuesday.

Thunderstorms will be possible on Saturday. Severe weather is not
expected, but lightning is a hazard with any storm.

.SPOTTER INFORMATION STATEMENT...

Spotters are encouraged to report rainfall amounts or any severe
weather later today into tonight.

&&

More information, along with other weather, hydrological and climate
information can be found at http://weather.gov/ind

INZ051>053-060>065-067>072-202000-
Vigo-Clay-Owen-Sullivan-Greene-Monroe-Brown-Bartholomew-Decatur-Knox-
Daviess-Martin-Lawrence-Jackson-Jennings-
350 PM EDT Wed Aug 19 2026

This hazardous weather outlook is for central Indiana.

.DAY ONE...Through Tonight.

Widespread minor to moderate river flooding will continue along the
Wabash, White, and East Fork White Rivers and adjacent lowlands.

Scattered thunderstorms are possible late today into tonight. Isolated
strong to severe storms are also possible with primarily a damaging
wind gust threat and potential for some hail.

.DAYS TWO THROUGH SEVEN...Thursday through Tuesday.

Thunderstorms will be possible on Saturday. Severe weather is not
expected, but lightning is a hazard with any storm.

.SPOTTER INFORMATION STATEMENT...

Spotters are encouraged to report rainfall amounts or any severe
weather later today into tonight.

&&

More information, along with other weather, hydrological and climate
information can be found at http://weather.gov/ind

In the hours before

Local storm report, Aug 19, 10:15 PM EDT, 4 hours 40 minutes before
Preliminary Local Storm Report
National Weather Service Indianapolis IN
1015 PM EDT Wed Aug 19 2026

..TIME...   ...EVENT...      ...CITY LOCATION...     ...LAT.LON...
..DATE...   ....MAG....      ..COUNTY LOCATION..ST.. ...SOURCE....
            ..REMARKS..

0815 PM     Flash Flood      Shadeland               40.37N 86.95W
08/19/2026                   Tippecanoe         IN   Public

&&

BH
Local storm report, Aug 19, 10:17 PM EDT, 4 hours 38 minutes before
Preliminary Local Storm Report
National Weather Service Indianapolis IN
1017 PM EDT Wed Aug 19 2026

..TIME...   ...EVENT...      ...CITY LOCATION...     ...LAT.LON...
..DATE...   ....MAG....      ..COUNTY LOCATION..ST.. ...SOURCE....
            ..REMARKS..

0515 PM     Tstm Wnd Dmg     1 E Alexandria          40.26N 85.66W
08/19/2026                   Madison            IN   Public

            A tree was blown down.

&&

BH
Local storm report, Aug 19, 11:22 PM EDT, 3 hours 33 minutes before
Preliminary Local Storm Report
National Weather Service Indianapolis IN
1122 PM EDT Wed Aug 19 2026

..TIME...   ...EVENT...      ...CITY LOCATION...     ...LAT.LON...
..DATE...   ....MAG....      ..COUNTY LOCATION..ST.. ...SOURCE....
            ..REMARKS..

0630 PM     Flash Flood      6 SE Rossville          40.37N 86.51W
08/19/2026                   Clinton            IN   911 Call Center

            Located in north center Clinton County. Time
            estimated from radar.

&&

BH
Local storm report, Aug 19, 11:24 PM EDT, 3 hours 31 minutes before
Preliminary Local Storm Report
National Weather Service Indianapolis IN
1124 PM EDT Wed Aug 19 2026

..TIME...   ...EVENT...      ...CITY LOCATION...     ...LAT.LON...
..DATE...   ....MAG....      ..COUNTY LOCATION..ST.. ...SOURCE....
            ..REMARKS..

0730 PM     Flash Flood      2 W Michigantown        40.33N 86.43W
08/19/2026                   Clinton            IN   911 Call Center

            Flash flooding in northeast Clinton County.
            Time estimated from radar.

&&

BH
Special weather statement, Aug 20, 12:46 AM EDT, 2 hours 9 minutes before
Special Weather Statement
National Weather Service Indianapolis IN
1246 AM EDT Thu Aug 20 2026

INZ036-043-044-051-052-200530-
Clay IN-Montgomery IN-Parke IN-Vermillion IN-Vigo IN-
1246 AM EDT Thu Aug 20 2026

...Strong thunderstorms will impact portions of Vigo, northwestern
Clay, Parke, Vermillion and southwestern Montgomery Counties through
130 AM EDT...

At 1245 AM EDT, Doppler radar was tracking strong thunderstorms along
a line extending from 6 miles west of Newport to 6 miles southwest of
Vermilion. Movement was east at 40 mph.

HAZARD...Wind gusts up to 50 mph.

SOURCE...Radar indicated.

IMPACT...Gusty winds could knock down tree limbs and blow around
         unsecured objects.

Locations impacted include...
Terre Haute, Brazil, Clinton, Rockville, Newport, West Terre Haute,
Fairview Park, Seelyville, Montezuma, Knightsville, Rosedale,
Harmony, Dana, Staunton, Waveland, Carbon, Universal, Mecca,
Bloomingdale, and Marshall.

This includes Interstate 70 between mile markers 1 and 25.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

If outdoors, consider seeking shelter inside a building.

&&

LAT...LON 3991 8753 3991 8698 3987 8699 3987 8701
      3978 8701 3934 8711 3940 8753
TIME...MOT...LOC 0445Z 269DEG 36KT 3985 8752 3950 8765

MAX HAIL SIZE...0.00 IN
MAX WIND GUST...50 MPH

Updike
Special weather statement, Aug 20, 2:45 AM EDT, 10 minutes before
Special Weather Statement
National Weather Service Indianapolis IN
245 AM EDT Thu Aug 20 2026

INZ047-048-052>057-060>065-067>072-200745-
Rush IN-Johnson IN-Daviess IN-Clay IN-Brown IN-Martin IN-Decatur IN-
Bartholomew IN-Shelby IN-Greene IN-Hancock IN-Knox IN-Owen IN-
Morgan IN-Lawrence IN-Sullivan IN-Jackson IN-Monroe IN-Marion IN-
Jennings IN-
245 AM EDT Thu Aug 20 2026

...A strong thunderstorm will impact portions of southern Hancock,
Monroe, Rush, Morgan, Decatur, Johnson, Knox, southern Owen, Martin,
southeastern Marion, Lawrence, Jackson, Jennings, Daviess, Shelby,
Brown, southeastern Sullivan, Bartholomew, south central Clay and
Greene Counties through 345 AM EDT...

At 245 AM EDT, Doppler radar was tracking a strong thunderstorm 9
miles southwest of Franklin, or 17 miles northwest of Columbus,
moving east at 45 mph.

HAZARD...Winds in excess of 40 mph.

SOURCE...Radar indicated.

IMPACT...Gusty winds could knock down tree limbs and blow around
         unsecured objects.

Locations impacted include...
Indianapolis, Bloomington, Columbus, Shelbyville, Vincennes, Seymour,
Bedford, Greenwood, Franklin, Greenfield, Beech Grove, Martinsville,
Washington, Greensburg, Mooresville, North Vernon, Rushville, Linton,
Brownstown, and Bloomfield.

This includes the following highways...
 Interstate 65 between mile markers 37 and 107.
 Interstate 74 between mile markers 93 and 144.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

If outdoors, consider seeking shelter inside a building.

&&

LAT...LON 3874 8750 3896 8751 3974 8608 3979 8530
      3927 8530 3920 8544 3891 8545 3891 8554
      3882 8563 3881 8579 3873 8588 3874 8591
      3878 8620 3869 8631 3869 8668 3853 8668
      3849 8695 3854 8743 3842 8774
TIME...MOT...LOC 0645Z 267DEG 37KT 3938 8615

MAX HAIL SIZE...0.00 IN
MAX WIND GUST...40 MPH

McGINNIS

The office that day

Everything else NWS Indianapolis, IN issued on the same UTC day.

IssuedProductOfficeCountiesLasted
Aug 19, 8:19 PM EDTSevere Thunderstorm WarningINDHancock, Henry, Rush41 min
Aug 19, 8:37 PM EDTAreal Flood WarningINDCarroll, Clinton, Tippecanoe4 hr
Aug 19, 9:03 PM EDTAreal Flood AdvisoryINDDelaware, Hancock, Henry, Madison, Randolph5 hr
Aug 19, 9:35 PM EDTAreal Flood WarningINDWarren100 min
Aug 19, 10:19 PM EDTAreal Flood WarningINDBoone, Fountain, Hendricks, Montgomery, Parke3 hr
Aug 19, 10:36 PM EDTAreal Flood AdvisoryINDHamilton112 min
Aug 19, 10:45 PM EDTAreal Flood WarningINDHamilton, Marion107 min
Aug 19, 11:01 PM EDTAreal Flood AdvisoryINDClay, Hendricks, Morgan, Parke, Putnam16 hr
Aug 19, 11:04 PM EDTAreal Flood AdvisoryINDHancock, Johnson, Rush, Shelby16 hr
Aug 19, 11:13 PM EDTAreal Flood WarningINDClinton69 min
Aug 19, 11:17 PM EDTAreal Flood AdvisoryINDBoone, Clinton, Fountain, Montgomery, Tippecanoe, Warren63 min
Aug 20, 12:15 AM EDTAreal Flood AdvisoryINDClinton, Tippecanoe6 hr
Aug 20, 12:32 AM EDTAreal Flood AdvisoryINDHamilton, Marion14 hr
Aug 20, 12:46 AM EDTAreal Flood AdvisoryINDParke4 hr
Aug 20, 12:46 AM EDTSpecial Weather StatementINDClay, Parke, Vermillion, Vigo44 min
Aug 20, 12:49 AM EDTAreal Flood WarningINDMadison7 hr
Aug 20, 12:56 AM EDTAreal Flood AdvisoryINDClay, Parke, Putnam, Vermillion, Vigo4 hr
Aug 20, 1:12 AM EDTSevere Thunderstorm WarningINDClay, Parke, Putnam, Vermillion, Vigo33 min
Aug 20, 1:38 AM EDTSevere Thunderstorm WarningINDClay, Greene, Morgan, Owen, Putnam, Sullivan and 1 more37 min
Aug 20, 1:54 AM EDTSevere Thunderstorm WarningINDHendricks, Morgan, Owen, Putnam51 min
Aug 20, 2:09 AM EDTSevere Thunderstorm WarningINDBrown, Greene, Hendricks, Johnson, Lawrence, Marion and 3 more36 min
Aug 20, 2:45 AM EDTSpecial Weather StatementINDBartholomew, Brown, Daviess, Decatur, Greene, Jackson and 10 more60 min
Aug 20, 3:32 AM EDTSevere Thunderstorm WarningINDDecatur, Jennings, Rush, Shelby28 min
Aug 20, 3:44 AM EDTRiver Flood WarningINDTippecanoe34 hr
Aug 20, 3:44 AM EDTRiver Flood WarningINDFountain, Parke, Tippecanoe, Vermillion, Warren44 hr
Aug 20, 4:16 AM EDTAreal Flood AdvisoryINDHamilton3 hr
Aug 20, 4:36 AM EDTAreal Flood AdvisoryINDMartin3 hr
Aug 20, 8:44 AM EDTAreal Flood WarningINDHamilton26 hr
Aug 20, 9:55 AM EDTRiver Flood WarningINDMonroe, Morgan, Owen28 hr
Aug 20, 9:55 AM EDTRiver Flood WarningINDMarion, Morgan38 hr
Aug 20, 9:55 AM EDTRiver Flood WarningINDMonroe, Morgan, Owen8 hr
Aug 20, 10:00 AM EDTRiver Flood WarningINDClinton, Tippecanoe13 hr
Aug 20, 12:34 PM EDTRiver Flood WarningINDJackson, Lawrence, Washington3 days
Aug 20, 2:33 PM EDTAreal Flood WarningINDRush12 hr
Aug 20, 6:31 PM EDTRiver Flood WarningINDBartholomew, Johnson, Shelby27 hr

Nearby

Flash Flood Warnings in Indiana, 2026Every flash flood warning in 2026

Sources

The product and its follow-ups from the Iowa Environmental Mesonet's archive of National Weather Service and Storm Prediction Center text; local storm reports from the same archive; the sounding from the Mesonet's radiosonde archive; radar from the NEXRAD Level II archive.