Alert archive / Indiana / Flash Flood Warnings in 2026

Flash Flood Warning 12, NWS Northern Indiana

September 16, 2026Adams County, Wells County, Indiana

NWS Northern Indiana issued this flash flood warning at Sep 16, 2026, 10:48 AM EDT for Adams County, Wells County, Indiana. It was in force for 2 hr. No storm report in the archive falls inside the area while it was in force.

The area

The outline as issued.

The facts

Issued
Sep 16, 2026, 10:48 AM EDT (14:48 UTC)
Expired
Sep 16, 2026, 1:10 PM EDT
In force
2 hr
Issued by
NWS Northern Indiana
Area
Storm-based polygon
Flood severity
None

Counties Adams County, IN, Wells County, IN

The radar

The Northern Indiana radar (KIWX), 84 km from the middle of the area, began a volume at 14:49 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.

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

Cncnati-Daytn, OH (KILN), launched 12:00Z, 2.8 hours before the alert went out and 186 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, Cncnati-Daytn, OH at 12:00Z on 2026-09-16Temperature and dew point through the depth of the atmosphere, with the mixed-layer parcel. CAPE 782 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, Cncnati-Daytn, OH at 12:00Z on 2026-09-16The wind through the lowest 10 kilometers. Zero to 1 km storm-relative helicity 38 square meters per square second.1939Sfc1 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
782 J/kg
Mixed-layer CIN
-75 J/kg
Mixed-layer LCL
943 m above ground
0-6 km bulk shear
22 kt
0-1 km storm-relative helicity
38 m²/s²
0-3 km storm-relative helicity
-13 m²/s²
Significant tornado parameter
0.0
Supercell composite
0.0

Open this sounding in Storm Lab

The text

As transmitted.

567 
WGUS53 KIWX 161448
FFWIWX
INC001-179-161845-
/O.NEW.KIWX.FF.W.0012.260916T1448Z-260916T1845Z/
/00000.0.ER.000000T0000Z.000000T0000Z.000000T0000Z.OO/

BULLETIN - EAS ACTIVATION REQUESTED
Flash Flood Warning
National Weather Service Northern Indiana
1048 AM EDT Wed Sep 16 2026

The National Weather Service in Northern Indiana has issued a

* Flash Flood Warning for...
  Southern Adams County in northeastern Indiana...
  Wells County in northeastern Indiana...

* Until 245 PM EDT.

* At 1048 AM EDT, Doppler radar indicated thunderstorms producing
  heavy rain across the warned area. Between 3 and 5 inches of rain
  have fallen since last evening. Additional rainfall amounts of 0.5
  to 1.5 inches are possible in the warned area. Flash flooding is
  ongoing or expected to begin shortly.

  HAZARD...Flash flooding caused by thunderstorms.

  SOURCE...Radar indicated.

  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...
  Bluffton, Berne, Geneva, Nottingham, Poneto, Vera Cruz, Reiffsburg,
  Domestic, Petroleum, Linn Grove, Travisville, Wellsburg, Dillman,
  North Oaks, Keystone, Liberty Center, Ceylon, Mount Zion, Rockford
  and Mcnatts.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

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

&&

LAT...LON 4081 8534 4071 8480 4057 8480 4057 8545
      4065 8545 4065 8533 4066 8533 4074 8534

FLASH FLOOD...RADAR INDICATED

$$

Marsili
2 follow-up statements
508 
WGUS73 KIWX 161620
FFSIWX

Flash Flood Statement
National Weather Service Northern Indiana
1220 PM EDT Wed Sep 16 2026

INC001-179-161845-
/O.CON.KIWX.FF.W.0012.000000T0000Z-260916T1845Z/
/00000.0.ER.000000T0000Z.000000T0000Z.000000T0000Z.OO/
Adams IN-Wells IN-
1220 PM EDT Wed Sep 16 2026

...FLASH FLOOD WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 245 PM EDT THIS
AFTERNOON FOR SOUTHERN ADAMS AND WELLS COUNTIES...

At 1220 PM EDT, Doppler radar indicated thunderstorms producing heavy
rain across the warned area. Between 3 and 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...Radar indicated.

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...
  Bluffton, Berne, Geneva, Nottingham, Poneto, Vera Cruz, Reiffsburg,
  Domestic, Petroleum, Linn Grove, Travisville, Wellsburg, Dillman,
  North Oaks, Keystone, Liberty Center, Ceylon, Mount Zion, Rockford
  and Mcnatts.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

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

&&

LAT...LON 4081 8534 4071 8480 4057 8480 4057 8545
      4065 8545 4065 8533 4066 8533 4074 8534

FLASH FLOOD...RADAR INDICATED

$$

Marsili
227 
WGUS73 KIWX 161710
FFSIWX

Flash Flood Statement
National Weather Service Northern Indiana
110 PM EDT Wed Sep 16 2026

INC001-179-161720-
/O.CAN.KIWX.FF.W.0012.000000T0000Z-260916T1845Z/
/00000.0.ER.000000T0000Z.000000T0000Z.000000T0000Z.OO/
Adams IN-Wells IN-
110 PM EDT Wed Sep 16 2026

...FLASH FLOOD WARNING IS CANCELLED FOR SOUTHERN ADAMS AND WELLS
COUNTIES...

The flash flood warning has been cancelled and replaced with an areal
flood warning.

&&

LAT...LON 4081 8534 4071 8480 4057 8480 4057 8545
      4065 8545 4065 8533 4066 8533 4074 8534

$$

Marsili

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 Northern Indiana wrote its last area forecast discussion before this flash flood warning went out at Sep 16, 9:29 AM EDT, 1 hour 19 minutes earlier. Its key messages:

  • Humid with rounds of showers and thunderstorms through Thursday, best chances this morning, and then again later tonight into Thursday morning (50-80%).
  • Locally heavy rainfall and flooding possible today into Thursday.
  • Dry and less humid conditions on Friday followed by renewed opportunties for rain and storms this weekend.
Area forecast discussion, Sep 16, 9:29 AM EDT, 1 hour 19 minutes before
Area Forecast Discussion
National Weather Service Northern Indiana
929 AM EDT Wed Sep 16 2026

.KEY MESSAGES...

- Humid with rounds of showers and thunderstorms through
  Thursday, best chances this morning, and then again later
  tonight into Thursday morning (50-80%).

- Locally heavy rainfall and flooding possible today into Thursday.

- Dry and less humid conditions on Friday followed by renewed
  opportunties for rain and storms this weekend.

&&

.UPDATE...
Issued at 929 AM EDT Wed Sep 16 2026

Larger area of rain, with embedded thunderstorms along the
leading edge, continues to work slowly ENE across the area in
association with a MCV moving east. Pockets of 1 to locally 3
inches of rain are scattered about the area with the most
prominent swath of heavy rain from NE Grant county into
southern portions of Wells and Adams county with a CoCoRaHS
report of 3.82 inches near Linn Grove. Will need to monitor
where the heavier cells track with some potential need for hydro
warnings in these area. Did increase pops to categorical and
progress it along with most likely a slow weakening trend.
Severe weather is not expected.

In the wake of this MCV, we should see somewhat more stable
conditions move in which will limit, not eliminate additional
shower/storm chances. SPC Day 1 outlook has expanded the
Marginal Risk for Severe Storms towards the west (roughly Mario
to Continental OH line east). Not sure this will come to
fruition, but if pockets of clearing can occur then a wind
threat similar to yesterday may evolve.

&&

.DISCUSSION...
Issued at 207 AM EDT Wed Sep 16 2026

A frontal boundary and ~2 inch PWAT axis will hover in west to
east fashion over the area through at least Thursday with
periodic shower/storm chances. Locally heavy rainfall/flash
flooding will be the primary concern given the high moisture
content and potential for several rounds of slow moving
convection.

Favorable right entrance region upper support, in conjunction
with an incoming convectively augmented mid level impulse
(potential MCV), should keep at least scattered convection in
the vicinity of the theta-e ridge this morning, especially
across northern IN and northwest OH. Rainfall rates have been
impressive (over an inch in 10-15 minutes), so will continue to
monitor flooding going forward.

Weak height rises on the northern fringes of a stout upper level
ridge suggest some overall subsidence this afternoon into this
evening. Held with lower PoPs as a result during this time, but
still cannot rule out widely scattered convection within any pockets
of greater heating, mainly near the US 24 corridor. Later tonight
into Thursday morning then features increasing chances for
another round of storms and potential hydro issues as renewed
warm advection ensues within another low level jet.

The bulk of available model guidance does push the effective frontal
zone off to south-southwest by Thursday night into Friday with brief
dry and less humid conditions. Rain/storm chances then return
this weekend as piecemeal shortwave energy ejects east out of
the Intermountain West, forcing the boundary and instability
axis back north into the lower Great Lakes.

&&

.AVIATION /12Z TAFS THROUGH 12Z THURSDAY/...
Issued at 536 AM EDT Wed Sep 16 2026

Smaller scale, convectively enhanced, mid level impulses will drive
waves of convection through northern IN this morning. This
activity will remain along and north of a frontal zone
stalled out over the area. High moisture content will continue
to induce locally heavy rainfall rates and brief times of
LIFR/IFR visby's, especially in and around KFWA. Coverage of
rain and embedded storms should wane this afternoon with MVFR to
low VFR stratocu likely filling in.

&&

.IWX WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES...
IN...None.
OH...None.
MI...None.
MARINE...None.

&&

UPDATE...Fisher
DISCUSSION...Steinwedel
AVIATION...Steinwedel

In the hours before

Local storm report, Sep 16, 8:46 AM EDT, 2 hours 2 minutes before
Preliminary Local Storm Report
National Weather Service Northern Indiana
846 AM EDT Wed Sep 16 2026

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

0730 AM     Flood            3 ESE Geneva            40.58N 84.91W
09/16/2026                   Adams              IN   Public

            Emergency management relayed a public report
            of a flooded road. The road was CR 125 E,
            between 1175S and 1200 S near the Wabash
            River.

&&

LWF
Local storm report, Sep 16, 9:53 AM EDT, 55 minutes before
Preliminary Local Storm Report
National Weather Service Northern Indiana
953 AM EDT Wed Sep 16 2026

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

1030 PM     Tstm Wnd Dmg     Hillsdale               41.93N 84.64W
09/15/2026                   Hillsdale          MI   Emergency Mngr

            Delayed report of a few trees downed and a
            few power lines downed in Hillsdale, MI.
            Time estimated from radar.

&&

NDM
Local storm report, Sep 16, 10:08 AM EDT, 40 minutes before
Preliminary Local Storm Report
National Weather Service Northern Indiana
1008 AM EDT Wed Sep 16 2026

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

0445 AM     Flash Flood      3 E Berne               40.65N 84.90W
09/16/2026                   Adams              IN   Emergency Mngr

            Delayed report of road closure at CR 200 E
            between SR 218 and CR 650 S.

0445 AM     Flash Flood      3 ENE Berne             40.67N 84.90W
09/16/2026                   Adams              IN   Emergency Mngr

            Delayed report of road closure at CR 200 E
            between SR 218 and CR 500 S.

&&
Local storm report, Sep 16, 10:20 AM EDT, 28 minutes before
Preliminary Local Storm Report
National Weather Service Northern Indiana
1020 AM EDT Wed Sep 16 2026

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

0800 PM     Tstm Wnd Gst     1 SSE Bear Lake         41.30N 85.51W
09/15/2026  M83 MPH          Noble              IN   Amateur Radio

            Delayed report of several trees and power
            lines downed on 475 West. Measured gust to
            83 mph.

&&

NDM
Local storm report, Sep 16, 10:21 AM EDT, 27 minutes before
Preliminary Local Storm Report
National Weather Service Northern Indiana
1021 AM EDT Wed Sep 16 2026

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

0800 PM     Hail             1 SSE Bear Lake         41.30N 85.51W
09/15/2026  E1.00 Inch       Noble              IN   Amateur Radio

            Delayed report of hail ranging from dime to
            quarter sized on 475 W.

&&

NDM

The office that day

Everything else NWS Northern Indiana issued on the same UTC day.

IssuedProductOfficeCountiesLasted
Sep 15, 8:08 PM EDTSpecial Weather StatementIWXFulton37 min
Sep 15, 8:16 PM EDTSevere Thunderstorm WarningIWXAllen, DeKalb, Noble24 min
Sep 15, 8:38 PM EDTSpecial Weather StatementIWXKosciusko37 min
Sep 15, 8:45 PM EDTSpecial Weather StatementIWXKosciusko45 min
Sep 15, 9:20 PM EDTSpecial Weather StatementIWXAllen25 min
Sep 15, 9:27 PM EDTSpecial Weather StatementIWXStarke33 min
Sep 15, 10:17 PM EDTSpecial Weather StatementIWXNoble, Steuben28 min
Sep 15, 10:39 PM EDTSpecial Weather StatementIWXDeKalb, Noble36 min
Sep 15, 11:03 PM EDTSpecial Weather StatementIWXAllen, Huntington, Wells27 min
Sep 16, 12:27 AM EDTSpecial Weather StatementIWXAdams33 min
Sep 16, 1:55 AM EDTFlash Flood WarningIWXAdams, Blackford, Grant, Wells3 hr
Sep 16, 8:14 AM EDTAreal Flood AdvisoryIWXAllen, Whitley6 hr
Sep 16, 10:32 AM EDTRiver Flood WarningIWXAdams, Wells9 days
Sep 16, 10:32 AM EDTRiver Flood WarningIWXWells8 days
Sep 16, 12:55 PM EDTAreal Flood WarningIWXAdams, Grant, Huntington, Jay, Wells8 hr
Sep 16, 3:18 PM EDTFlood WatchIWXAdams, Allen, Blackford, Grant, Huntington, Jay and 4 more23 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; the sounding from the Mesonet's radiosonde archive; radar from the NEXRAD Level II archive.