Flooding and Hail in Indiana, July 21, 1998

Name: Flooding and Hail in Indiana, July 21, 1998
Start: 1998-07-21T19:02
End: 1998-07-21T23:28
Location: Indiana

July 21, 1998 · NWS IWX · 37 events in 21 counties and zones

25 thunderstorm wind, 8 hail, 2 flood, 2 lightning, as filed by the National Weather Service.

Where it happened

Every event with a place to put it; 4 filed by county or forecast zone are drawn at its center, in a lighter ring. Tap one for its entry below.

Tornadoes
Tropical storms and surge
Floods
Wind
Hail
Winter weather
Heat and drought
Cold
Fire, smoke and dust
Marine and coastal
Other

Open the live radar over this ground

The toll

Deaths: 0
Injuries: 5
Property damage: $2.4 million
Crop damage: None recorded
Events: 37

Deaths and injuries are direct and indirect together, as the offices filed them. Damage is property and crops in the dollars of the year, not adjusted for inflation, and only where an office estimated it.

The radar

The Northern Indiana radar (KIWX), 56 km away, was scanning. The volume nearest the first event began at 00:02 UTC.

Open the radar archive at this moment

Event by event

25 thunderstorm wind, 8 hail, 2 flood, 2 lightning. Local standard time, as filed.

Hail, St. Joseph

When: July 21, 7:02 PM EST
Where: St. Joseph County, Granger
Measured: 0.88 in hail
Reported by: TRAINED SPOTTER
Coordinates: 41.750, -86.120

SKYWARN SPOTTER REPORT.

Thunderstorm Wind, St. Joseph

When: July 21, 7:30 PM EST
Where: St. Joseph County, Mishawaka
Measured: 52 kt (60 mph)
Reported by: TRAINED SPOTTER
Coordinates: 41.670, -86.170

Thunderstorm Wind, St. Joseph

When: July 21, 7:30 PM EST
Where: St. Joseph County, South Bend
Measured: 60 kt (69 mph)
Injuries: 1 direct, 0 indirect
Property damage: $500,000
Reported by: TRAINED SPOTTER
Coordinates: 41.670, -86.250

SEVERAL REPORTS OF HIGH WINDS AND WIND DAMAGE. ONE WOMAN WAS SERIOUSLY INJURED WHEN A LARGE TREE FELL ON HER CAR.

Thunderstorm Wind, St. Joseph

When: July 21, 7:30 PM EST
Where: St. Joseph County, New Carlisle
Measured: 61 kt (70 mph)
Reported by: TRAINED SPOTTER
Coordinates: 41.700, -86.520

Thunderstorm Wind, La Porte

When: July 21, 7:30 PM EST
Where: La Porte County, La Porte
Measured: 52 kt (60 mph)
Reported by: TRAINED SPOTTER
Coordinates: 41.600, -86.720

NUMEROUS TREES DOWN ACROSS COUNTY.

Hail, Lagrange

When: July 21, 7:55 PM EST
Where: Lagrange County, Shipshewana
Measured: 0.75 in hail
Reported by: TRAINED SPOTTER
Coordinates: 41.680, -85.580

Thunderstorm Wind, Kosciusko

When: July 21, 8:10 PM EST
Where: Kosciusko County, Syracuse
Measured: 50 kt (58 mph)
Reported by: NWS EMPLOYEE(OFF DUTY)
Coordinates: 41.420, -85.750

TREES DOWN.

Thunderstorm Wind, Kosciusko

When: July 21, 8:10 PM EST
Where: Kosciusko County, Warsaw
Measured: 50 kt (58 mph)
Property damage: $500,000
Reported by: NWS EMPLOYEE(OFF DUTY)
Coordinates: 41.230, -85.830

NUMEROUS TREES DOWN IN TOWN. ONE HOME COMPLETELY DESTROYED BY LARGE FALLEN TREE WHICH CRUSHED THE THEN UNOCCUPIED HOME. A TENTS AT THE COOK CHAPEDL CHURCH WERE BLOWN AWAY AND NEVER FOUND. SEVERAL OTHER HOMES SUFFERED MINOR TO MODERATE DAMAGE ESPECIALLY TO ROOFS FROM FALLEN TREES AND LIMBS.

Flood, Steuben

When: July 21, 8:15 PM EST
Where: Steuben forecast zone
Reported by: AMATEUR RADIO
Coordinates: 41.644, -85.001 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

OVER 2 INCHES OF RAIN IN 35 TO 40 MINUTES IN FREMONT AND HAMILTON.

Thunderstorm Wind, Steuben

When: July 21, 8:15 PM EST
Where: Steuben County, Angola
Measured: 50 kt (58 mph)
Reported by: EMERGENCY MANAGER
Coordinates: 41.630, -85.000

TREES AND LARGE LIMBS DOWN.

Thunderstorm Wind, Elkhart

When: July 21, 8:15 PM EST
Where: Elkhart County, Goshen
Measured: 56 kt (64 mph)
Property damage: $300,000
Reported by: TRAINED SPOTTER
Coordinates: 41.580, -85.830

NUMEROUS TREES AND POWER LINES DOWN. SIDING RIPPED OFF HOUSES.

Lightning, Steuben

When: July 21, 8:15 PM EST
Where: Steuben County, Fremont
Property damage: $312,000
Reported by: NWS EMPLOYEE(OFF DUTY)
Coordinates: 41.644, -85.001 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

LIGHTNING INDUCED FIRES DESTROYED A BARN AND KENNEL AT 3580 S CR RD 800 E. ANOTHER LIGHTNING INDUCED FIRE DESTROYED ANOTHER BARN AND FARM TRACTORS AT 3285 N CR RD 650 E WHICH TOOK FIRE FIGHTERS 40 MINUTES TO GET UNDER CONTROL.

Thunderstorm Wind, Kosciusko

When: July 21, 8:15 PM EST
Where: Kosciusko County, Pierceton
Property damage: $200,000
Reported by: NEWSPAPER
Coordinates: 41.200, -85.720

A HOUSE WAS FLATTENED BY A LARGE OAK TREE. NO ONE WAS HOME AT THE TIME FORTUNATELY.

Flood, Steuben

When: July 21, 8:20 PM EST
Where: Steuben forecast zone, Countywide
Reported by: TRAINED SPOTTER
Coordinates: 41.644, -85.001 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

ONE INCH OF RAIN IN 15 MINUTES AND .25 INCHES IN 15 MINUTES IN ANGOLA.

Thunderstorm Wind, Lagrange

When: July 21, 8:30 PM EST
Where: Lagrange County, Lagrange
Measured: 50 kt (58 mph)
Reported by: TRAINED SPOTTER
Coordinates: 41.650, -85.420

NUMEROUS TREES AND POWER LINES DOWN.

Thunderstorm Wind, De Kalb

When: July 21, 8:40 PM EST
Where: De Kalb County, Waterloo
Measured: 55 kt (63 mph)
Reported by: AMATEUR RADIO
Coordinates: 41.430, -85.020

Thunderstorm Wind, Kosciusko

When: July 21, 8:42 PM EST
Where: Kosciusko County, Warsaw
Measured: 64 kt (74 mph)
Reported by: NWS EMPLOYEE(OFF DUTY)
Coordinates: 41.230, -85.830

NUMEROUS TREES DOWN.

Thunderstorm Wind, Steuben

When: July 21, 8:50 PM EST
Where: Steuben County, Angola
Measured: 50 kt (58 mph)
Injuries: 4 direct, 0 indirect
Property damage: $250,000
Reported by: EMERGENCY MANAGER
Coordinates: 41.630, -85.000

WIND DAMAGE TO 4-H BUILDING AND STRUCTURE HIT BY LIGHTNING. SEVERAL PEOPLE WERE INJURED WHEN LIGHTNING STRUCK THE 4-H BUILDING.

Thunderstorm Wind, Marshall

When: July 21, 8:55 PM EST
Where: Marshall County, Plymouth
Measured: 50 kt (58 mph)
Reported by: LAW ENFORCEMENT
Coordinates: 41.350, -86.320

TREES AND POWER LINES DOWN THROUGHOUT THE COUNTY.

Thunderstorm Wind, Fulton

When: July 21, 9:00 PM EST
Where: Fulton County, Rochester
Measured: 52 kt (60 mph)
Reported by: TRAINED SPOTTER
Coordinates: 41.070, -86.220

Thunderstorm Wind, Whitley

When: July 21, 9:00 PM EST
Where: Whitley County, South Whitley
Measured: 50 kt (58 mph)
Reported by: AMATEUR RADIO
Coordinates: 41.080, -85.620

MANY LIMBS DOWN IN COLLAMER AND SOUTH WHITLEY. 2 TREES DOWN IN SOUTH WHITLEY.

Thunderstorm Wind, Kosciusko

When: July 21, 9:00 PM EST
Where: Kosciusko County, Pierceton
Measured: 50 kt (58 mph)
Property damage: $10,000
Reported by: NWS EMPLOYEE(OFF DUTY)
Coordinates: 41.200, -85.720

TREE FELL ON HOME AND DAMAGED ROOF AND PORCH.

Thunderstorm Wind, Huntington

When: July 21, 9:35 PM EST to 10:50 PM EST
Where: Huntington County, Huntington
Measured: 52 kt (60 mph)
Reported by: TRAINED SPOTTER
Coordinates: 40.880, -85.480

NUMEROUS TREES AND POWER LINES DOWN IN COUNTY.

Thunderstorm Wind, Wabash

When: July 21, 9:45 PM EST
Where: Wabash County, North Manchester
Measured: 50 kt (58 mph)
Property damage: $100,000
Reported by: EMERGENCY MANAGER
Coordinates: 41.000, -85.770

TREE FELL ON HOME AND DESTROYED PORCH. COAST TO COAST STORE LOST THEIR GREEN HOUSE AND SECURITY FENCE AS IT BECAME AIRBORNE IN THE HIGH WINDS.

Hail, Miami

When: July 21, 9:50 PM EST
Where: Miami County, Peru
Measured: 0.75 in hail
Reported by: TRAINED SPOTTER
Coordinates: 40.750, -86.070

Thunderstorm Wind, Allen

When: July 21, 9:55 PM EST
Where: Allen County, Ft Wayne
Measured: 52 kt (60 mph)
Reported by: TRAINED SPOTTER
Coordinates: 41.070, -85.130

NUMEROUS TREES AND POWER LINES DOWN IN CITY.

Hail, Miami

When: July 21, 10:00 PM EST
Where: Miami County, Denver
Measured: 1.75 in hail
Reported by: TRAINED SPOTTER
Coordinates: 40.870, -86.080

Lightning, Kosciusko

When: July 21, 10:00 PM EST
Where: Kosciusko County, Packerton
Property damage: $250,000
Reported by: NEWSPAPER
Coordinates: 41.244, -85.861 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

A LIGHTNING INDUCED FIRE COMPLETELY DESTROYED THE PACKERTON FOREST PRODUCTS PLANT.

Hail, Adams

When: July 21, 10:10 PM EST
Where: Adams County, Monroe
Measured: 0.75 in hail
Reported by: TRAINED SPOTTER
Coordinates: 40.750, -84.930

Hail, Miami

When: July 21, 10:13 PM EST
Where: Miami County, 1 mi N of Mexico
Measured: 0.88 in hail
Reported by: TRAINED SPOTTER
Coordinates: 40.830, -86.120

Thunderstorm Wind, Cass

When: July 21, 10:15 PM EST
Where: Cass County, Logansport
Measured: 50 kt (58 mph)
Reported by: EMERGENCY MANAGER
Coordinates: 40.750, -86.350

NUMEROUS TREES AND POWER LINES DOWN ACROSS COUNTY.

Hail, Wells

When: July 21, 10:30 PM EST
Where: Wells County, Bluffton
Measured: 0.75 in hail
Reported by: TRAINED SPOTTER
Coordinates: 40.730, -85.170

Thunderstorm Wind, Noble

When: July 21, 11:00 PM EST
Where: Noble County, Albion
Measured: 50 kt (58 mph)
Reported by: LAW ENFORCEMENT
Coordinates: 41.400, -85.420

NUMEROUS TREES DOWN THROUGHOUT COUNTY.

Thunderstorm Wind, Grant

When: July 21, 11:00 PM EST
Where: Grant County, Marion
Measured: 52 kt (60 mph)
Reported by: LAW ENFORCEMENT
Coordinates: 40.550, -85.580

TREES DOWN IN TOWN.

Thunderstorm Wind, Blackford

When: July 21, 11:00 PM EST
Where: Blackford County, Hartford City
Measured: 50 kt (58 mph)
Reported by: LAW ENFORCEMENT
Coordinates: 40.450, -85.370

NUMEROUS TREES AND POWER LINES DOWN THROUGHOUT COUNTY.

Thunderstorm Wind, Jay

When: July 21, 11:00 PM EST
Where: Jay County, Portland
Measured: 52 kt (60 mph)
Reported by: LAW ENFORCEMENT
Coordinates: 40.430, -84.980

NUMEROUS TREES AND POWER LINES DOWN THROUGHOUT COUNTY.

Hail, Whitley

When: July 21, 11:28 PM EST
Where: Whitley County, Laud to 2 mi NE of Laud
Measured: 0.75 in hail
Reported by: LAW ENFORCEMENT
Coordinates: 41.030, -85.480

What these are

Hail: Hail three-quarters of an inch or larger, or smaller hail that caused damage, filed with the largest stone measured.
Thunderstorm Wind: Winds from a thunderstorm of 50 knots (58 mph) or more, or lower winds that caused damage or casualties. Measured gusts are marked MG, estimated EG.
Flood: Flooding that develops more slowly than a flash flood: rivers leaving their banks, or water standing over land for an extended time.
Lightning: A lightning strike that killed, injured or caused damage.

After NWS Directive 10-1605, the rules offices file Storm Data by.

The same day elsewhere

Every storm in Indiana in 1998 Every state in 1998 This day in weather history Warnings in Indiana, July 1998

Sources

NOAA National Centers for Environmental Information, Storm Events Database, compiled from the National Weather Service’s monthly Storm Data. Complete through 2026-06; NCEI adds each month about 75 days after it ends and revises past years a few times a year. Rebuilt 2026-09-24. Each event’s entry at NCEI: 5655013, 5655014, 5655015, 5655016, 5655070, 5655017, 5655018, 5655019, 5655020, 5655021, 5655022, 5655079, 5655080, 5655023, 5655071, 5655024, 5655028, 5655025, 5655026, 5655027, 5655067, 5655069, 5655074, 5655068, 5655029, 5655073, 5655030, 5655081, 5655031, 5655032, 5655072, 5655075, 5655033, 5655076, 5655077, 5655078, 5655066.