Flash Flooding and Hail in Indiana, July 9 to 10, 2003

Name: Flash Flooding and Hail in Indiana, July 9 to 10, 2003
Start: 2003-07-09T02:32
End: 2003-07-10T08:00
Location: Indiana

July 9 to 10, 2003 · NWS IND · 26 events in 19 counties and zones

Squall line knocked down numerous trees. The line damaged more than 400 homes in the Rosedale area of Parke county.

Where it happened

Every event with a place to put it; 11 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: 0
Property damage: $1.0 million
Crop damage: None recorded
Events: 26

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.

What happened

The episode as NWS IND wrote it up.

Squall line knocked down numerous trees. The line damaged more than 400 homes in the Rosedale area of Parke county. Many roads were water covered due to heavy rain falling on very saturated grounds.

What forecasters said that day

The local office's own words before the first event, 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 the first event at Jul 8, 2:27 PM EST, 12 hours 5 minutes earlier.

Area forecast discussion, Jul 8, 2:27 PM EST, 12 hours 5 minutes before

AREA FORECAST DISCUSSION
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE INDIANAPOLIS IN
227 PM EST TUE JUL 8 2003

FORECAST FOCUS WILL AGAIN BE FLOOD POTENTIAL AND CHANCE OF
CONVECTION OVER THE NEXT FEW DAY.

ETA/GFS DO NOT AGREE ON TIMING/STRENGTH OF NEXT SYSTEM.  PER PMDHMD
WILL LEAN TOWARD GFS WITH ITS RUN TO RUN CONTINUITY.

BASICALLY SAME SITUATION TODAY AS LAST SEVERAL DAYS WITH EXCEPTION
OF CAP WHICH THERE ISNT ONE TODAY UNLIKE YESTERDAY.  TSRA WILL
CONTINUE INTO THE EVENING AS CAPES ARE IN THE 3000J/KG RANGE...LIS
IN THE NEIGHBORHOOD OF -8 AND MULTIPLE OUTFLOW BOUNDARIES AVAILABLE
FOR INITIATION.

WILL CONTINUE WITH GOING FORECAST OF CHANCE/SCT POPS.  UNTIL THURS
NITE WHEN LOW PASSES THROUGH AND WEATHER FINALLY SETTLES DOWN.

WITH ANY ADDITIONAL RAINFALL OVER THE ALREADY SATURATED GROUND FROM
INDIANAPOLIS NORTH...WILL CONTINUE FLOOD WATCH FOR THOSE AREAS UNTIL
WEDNESDAY MORNING.

.IND...FLOOD WATCH THIS AFTERNOON AND TONIGHT

SALLY

Hazardous weather outlook, Jul 8, 5:00 AM EST, 21 hours 32 minutes before

INZ021-028>031-035>049-051>057-060>065-067>072-091100-

HAZARDOUS WEATHER OUTLOOK
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE INDIANAPOLIS IN
500 AM EST TUE JUL 8 2003

...FLOOD WATCH THIS AFTERNOON AND TONIGHT FOR NORTHERN TWO THIRDS OF
CENTRAL INDIANA...

THIS HAZARDOUS WEATHER OUTLOOK IS FOR CENTRAL INDIANA.

.DAY ONE...TODAY AND TONIGHT

SCATTERED THUNDERSTORMS WILL DEVELOP THIS AFTERNOON AND CONTINUE
INTO TONIGHT ACROSS CENTRAL INDIANA. SOME OF THESE STORMS MAY BE
SEVERE WITH DAMAGING WINDS. IN ADDITION...THESE STORMS WILL PRODUCE
HEAVY RAIN WHICH MAY LEAD TO FLOODING.

HEAT INDEX VALUES WILL REACH INTO THE 95 TO 100 DEGREE RANGE THIS
AFTERNOON.

.DAYS TWO THROUGH SEVEN...WEDNESDAY THROUGH MONDAY

THUNDERSTORMS WILL BE POSSIBLE AGAIN WEDNESDAY AND THURSDAY. SOME OF
THESE STORMS MAY BE SEVERE WITH DAMAGING WINDS THE PRIMARY THREAT.

.SPOTTER INFORMATION STATEMENT...

SPOTTER ACTIVATION MAY BE REQUESTED ANYTIME FROM THIS AFTERNOON INTO
THURSDAY.

&&

MORE INFORMATION MAY BE OBTAINED AT THE FOLLOWING URL...

HTTP://WWW.CRH.NOAA.GOV/IND (ALL LOWER CASE)

In the hours before

Local storm report, Jul 8, 8:42 PM EST, 5 hours 50 minutes before

PRELIMINARY LOCAL STORM REPORT
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE INDIANAPOLIS IN
0842 PM EST TUE JUL 08 2003

TIME(EST)  .....CITY LOCATION.....STATE   ...EVENT/REMARKS...
           ....COUNTY LOCATION....

0830 PM    RUSHVILLE                 IN   WIND DAMAGE
07/08/03   RUSH                           7TH STREET IN RUSHVILLE.
                                          TREES DOWN. REPORTED BY HAM
                                          RADIO.

PUMA

Local storm report, Jul 8, 8:52 PM EST, 5 hours 40 minutes before

PRELIMINARY LOCAL STORM REPORT
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE INDIANAPOLIS IN
0852 PM EST TUE JUL 08 2003

TIME(EST)  .....CITY LOCATION.....STATE   ...EVENT/REMARKS...
           ....COUNTY LOCATION....

0705 PM    1 S PITTSBORO             IN   WIND DAMAGE
07/08/03   HENDRICKS                      TREE DOWN. REPORTED BY
                                          OFF-DUTY NWS EMPLOYEE.

PUMA

Special weather statement, Jul 8, 9:17 PM EST, 5 hours 15 minutes before

INZ021-028>031-035>049-051>057-060>065-067>072-090240-

SPECIAL WEATHER STATEMENT
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE INDIANAPOLIS IN
917 PM EST TUE JUL 8 2003

SEVERE THUNDERSTORM WATCH NUMBER 688 FOR CENTRAL INDIANA HAS BEEN
CANCELLED.  SCATTERED SHOWERS AND THUNDERSTORMS WILL CONTINUE
OVERNIGHT BUT ARE EXPECTED TO REMAIN BELOW SEVERE LIMITS.

SALLY

Local storm report, Jul 8, 11:43 PM EST, 2 hours 49 minutes before

PRELIMINARY LOCAL STORM REPORT
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE INDIANAPOLIS IN
1143 PM EST TUE JUL 08 2003

TIME(EST)  .....CITY LOCATION.....STATE   ...EVENT/REMARKS...
           ....COUNTY LOCATION....

1045 PM    5 W DELPHI                IN   FLASH FLOOD
07/08/03   CARROLL                        PEOPLE BEING EVACUATED
                                          ALONG THE TIPPECANOE RIVER
                                          NEAR TECUMSEH BEND AND IN
                                          THE OAKDALE DAM AREAS.
                                          REPORTED BY EMERGENCY
                                          MANAGEMENT.

PUMA

Local storm report, Jul 9, 1:00 AM EST, 1 hour 32 minutes before

PRELIMINARY LOCAL STORM REPORT
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE INDIANAPOLIS IN
0100 AM EST WED JUL 09 2003

TIME(EST)  .....CITY LOCATION.....STATE   ...EVENT/REMARKS...
           ....COUNTY LOCATION....

0722 PM    6 E LEBANON               IN   WIND DAMAGE
07/08/03   BOONE                          14 INCH DIAMETER TREES
                                          DOWN. REPORTED BY HAM
                                          RADIO.

0726 PM    BROWNSBURG                IN   WIND DAMAGE
07/08/03   HENDRICKS                      4 TREES...12 TO 18 INCHES
                                          IN DIAMETER...DOWN.
                                          REPORTED BY HAM RADIO.

0731 PM    1 S BROWNSBURG            IN   WIND DAMAGE
07/08/03   HENDRICKS                      62 MPH WIND GUST DAMAGED
                                          SCREEN PORCH. REPORTED BY
                                          HAM RADIO.

KOCH

FIRST REPORT COUNTY AND STATE CORRECTED

The radar

The Indianapolis radar (KIND), 119 km away, was scanning. The volume nearest the first event began at 20:00 UTC.

Open the radar archive at this moment

Event by event

13 thunderstorm wind, 11 flash flood, 2 hail. Local standard time, as filed.

Flash Flood, Randolph

When: July 9, 2:32 AM EST to 4:00 AM EST
Where: Randolph County, Farmland
Reported by: TRAINED SPOTTER
Coordinates: 40.158, -85.011 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Flash Flood, Henry

When: July 9, 3:30 AM EST to 4:30 AM EST
Where: Henry County, 2 mi N of New Castle
Reported by: LAW ENFORCEMENT
Coordinates: 39.931, -85.396 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Hail, Vermillion

When: July 9, 3:01 PM EST
Where: Vermillion County, Clinton
Measured: 0.75 in hail
Reported by: AMATEUR RADIO
Coordinates: 39.667, -87.400

Thunderstorm Wind, Clay

When: July 9, 3:20 PM EST
Where: Clay County, Knightsville
Measured: 55 kt (63 mph) estimated gust
Reported by: GENERAL PUBLIC
Coordinates: 39.533, -87.100

Numerous trees down.

Thunderstorm Wind, Vigo

When: July 9, 3:30 PM EST
Where: Vigo County, 1 mi N of Vigo
Measured: 55 kt (63 mph) estimated gust
Reported by: AMATEUR RADIO
Coordinates: 39.300, -87.533

Numerous trees down.

Thunderstorm Wind, Vigo

When: July 9, 3:30 PM EST
Where: Vigo County, Seelyville
Measured: 55 kt (63 mph) estimated gust
Reported by: AMATEUR RADIO
Coordinates: 39.500, -87.267

18" diameter tree uprooted

Thunderstorm Wind, Parke

When: July 9, 3:32 PM EST
Where: Parke County, Rosedale
Measured: 65 kt (75 mph) estimated gust
Property damage: $1.0 million
Reported by: AMATEUR RADIO
Coordinates: 39.633, -87.283

Newspaper reported damage to more than 400 structures. 30-40% of the homes had moderate to severe damage.

Thunderstorm Wind, Clay

When: July 9, 3:35 PM EST
Where: Clay County, 1 mi W of Brazil
Measured: 55 kt (63 mph) estimated gust
Reported by: AMATEUR RADIO
Coordinates: 39.533, -87.133

Large trees down blocking traffic on US 40.

Thunderstorm Wind, Putnam

When: July 9, 3:45 PM EST
Where: Putnam County, 5 mi SW of Greencastle
Measured: 55 kt (63 mph) estimated gust
Reported by: LAW ENFORCEMENT
Coordinates: 39.600, -86.933

Several trees and power outages

Hail, Owen

When: July 9, 3:45 PM EST
Where: Owen County, 1 mi N of Spencer
Measured: 0.75 in hail
Reported by: AMATEUR RADIO
Coordinates: 39.300, -86.767

Flash Flood, Parke

When: July 9, 3:45 PM EST to 9:40 PM EST
Where: Parke County, Countywide
Reported by: LAW ENFORCEMENT
Coordinates: 39.774, -87.206 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Thunderstorm Wind, Monroe

When: July 9, 3:55 PM EST
Where: Monroe County, 10 mi S of Bloomington
Measured: 55 kt (63 mph) estimated gust
Reported by: AMATEUR RADIO
Coordinates: 39.017, -86.517

Trees down in Harrodsburg

Flash Flood, Montgomery

When: July 9, 4:00 PM EST to 9:30 PM EST
Where: Montgomery County, Countywide
Reported by: LAW ENFORCEMENT
Coordinates: 40.040, -86.893 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Flash Flood, Fountain

When: July 9, 4:00 PM EST to 9:55 PM EST
Where: Fountain County, Countywide
Reported by: LAW ENFORCEMENT
Coordinates: 40.121, -87.242 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Flash Flood, Tippecanoe

When: July 9, 4:30 PM EST to 10:00 PM EST
Where: Tippecanoe County, Countywide
Reported by: LAW ENFORCEMENT
Coordinates: 40.389, -86.894 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Flash Flood, Vermillion

When: July 9, 4:30 PM EST to 9:45 PM EST
Where: Vermillion County, Countywide
Reported by: LAW ENFORCEMENT
Coordinates: 39.854, -87.464 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Flash Flood, Warren

When: July 9, 4:30 PM EST to 10:00 PM EST
Where: Warren County, Countywide
Reported by: LAW ENFORCEMENT
Coordinates: 40.347, -87.353 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Thunderstorm Wind, Brown

When: July 9, 4:35 PM EST to 4:56 PM EST
Where: Brown County, 4 mi N of Nashville
Measured: 55 kt (63 mph) estimated gust
Reported by: AMATEUR RADIO
Coordinates: 39.250, -86.250

Numerous trees down

Thunderstorm Wind, Bartholomew

When: July 9, 5:00 PM EST
Where: Bartholomew County, Columbus
Measured: 55 kt (63 mph) estimated gust
Reported by: AMATEUR RADIO
Coordinates: 39.217, -85.833

Large trees down

Thunderstorm Wind, Jennings

When: July 9, 5:40 PM EST
Where: Jennings County, 6 mi N of North Vernon
Measured: 55 kt (63 mph) estimated gust
Reported by: LAW ENFORCEMENT
Coordinates: 39.083, -85.633

Trees down

Thunderstorm Wind, Hancock

When: July 9, 7:20 PM EST
Where: Hancock County, Greenfield
Measured: 55 kt (63 mph) estimated gust
Reported by: TRAINED SPOTTER
Coordinates: 39.783, -85.783

Numerous trees and power lines down

Flash Flood, Putnam

When: July 9, 8:40 PM EST to 9:40 PM EST
Where: Putnam County, Greencastle
Reported by: LAW ENFORCEMENT
Coordinates: 39.666, -86.845 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Flash Flood, Morgan

When: July 9, 10:00 PM EST to 11:00 PM EST
Where: Morgan County, Mooresville
Reported by: LAW ENFORCEMENT
Coordinates: 39.482, -86.446 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Thunderstorm Wind, Greene

When: July 9, 10:20 PM EST to 10:35 PM EST
Where: Greene County, Owensburg
Measured: 55 kt (63 mph) estimated gust
Reported by: LAW ENFORCEMENT
Coordinates: 38.933, -86.750

Numerous trees and power lines down

Thunderstorm Wind, Monroe

When: July 9, 10:30 PM EST
Where: Monroe County, 5 mi S of Bloomington
Measured: 55 kt (63 mph) estimated gust
Reported by: LAW ENFORCEMENT
Coordinates: 39.100, -86.517

Flash Flood, Jennings

When: July 9, 11:39 PM EST to July 10, 8:00 AM EST
Where: Jennings County, North Vernon
Reported by: LAW ENFORCEMENT
Coordinates: 38.997, -85.628 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

What these are

Flash Flood: Flooding that begins within six hours of the rain that causes it, or of a dam or levee failure or ice jam release, often with deadly speed.
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.

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

The same day elsewhere

Every storm in Indiana in 2003 Every state in 2003 This day in weather history Warnings in Indiana, July 2003

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: 5375987, 5375986, 5376262, 5376320, 5376264, 5376265, 5376261, 5376319, 5376260, 5376266, 5376326, 5376267, 5376324, 5376325, 5376321, 5376322, 5376323, 5376263, 5376259, 5376258, 5375988, 5376257, 5376256, 5376255, 5376327, 5375989.