An approaching storm system ushered in the warmest air of the month on the 7th. The warm front associated with this system stalled across northern Illinois and Indiana.
Every event with a place to put it. Tap one for its entry below.
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 episode as NWS IND wrote it up.
An approaching storm system ushered in the warmest air of the month on the 7th. The warm front associated with this system stalled across northern Illinois and Indiana. As a wave passed along this front, rain of 2 to 4 inches fell in the Tippecanoe River Basin from the afternoon of the 7th through the late morning hour of the 8th.
This rain had an immediate impact on the Tippecanoe River. By the evening of the 8th, extensive flooding quickly developed. The warm front remained over northern Illinois and Indiana and after about 24|hours another wave brought 2 to 4 inches of rain to the Tippecanoe River Basin from the evening of the 9th through the morning of the 11th.
With extensive flooding already in progress and saturated ground conditions, major flooding quickly developed along the Tippecanoe River by the morning of the 11th. Flood crests were similar to those|of February 2008.
Many local river residents listened to the Carroll County EMA director about the potential for serious flooding and voluntarily left their homes on the 9th and 10th. A few chose to ride out the flood. Some of these people needed rescued.
Because the heaviest rain was confined to northern Indiana, only the Wabash River in western Indiana and eastern Illinois flooded. This was the 3rd time since late December that extensive lowland flooding occurred along the Wabash. The March flood exceeded the previous two floods from Lafayette to just downstream of Terre Haute on the Wabash River.
The biggest problem caused by the flood along the Wabash was the inconvenience to local traffic that normally used State Road 43, State Road 225 and local roads in the Grandville Bridge area. The flood also caused disruption to the construction of a natural gas pipeline going from the Rocky Mountains to the east coast. This was third delay in three months to construction of the pipeline underneath the Wabash in the Montezuma area.
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 Mar 8, 5:10 PM EST, 1 hour 20 minutes earlier.
AREA FORECAST DISCUSSION NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE INDIANAPOLIS IN 610 PM EDT SUN MAR 8 2009 .AVIATION...DISCUSSION FOR 0Z TAFS. SOME POSTFRONTAL STRATOCU WITH MVFR CIGS WILL BE MOVING INTO THE SITES OVR THE NEXT FEW HOURS STARTING AT 0Z IN KLAF AND ARRIVING IN KBMG AROUND 4Z. WIND GUSTS OUT OF THE WNW WILL CONTINUE TO BE STRONG FOR THE FIRST 6 HOURS OF THE PD BEFORE DROPPING OFF AS PRESSURE GRADIENT WEAKENS. HAVE INCLUDED MVFR VSBYS AROUND 12Z AT KLAF BASED ON AVAILABLE MOISTURE FROM TODAY/S RAIN. SHUD SEE CLOUDS SCT OUT BY AROUND 15Z. && .PREV DISCUSSION...PROGRESSIVE AND UNSETTLED PATTERN XPCTD FOR THE NEXT SEVERAL DAYS AS LONG WV TROF CURRENTLY OVR THE W CST MOVES INTO THE MIDDLE OF THE COUNTRY BY THE MIDDLE OF THE WEEK. INTITAL UPPR SYS CURRENTLY OVR ERN IA/NW IL...XPCTD TO MOV NEWD ACRS THE GRTLKS TONIGHT...WHILE THE NEXT IMPULSE MOVES INTO THE AREA ARND TUES. MODELS IN GENERAL AGREEMENT ON THE MAIN DETAILS. FCST FOCUS CENTERS ON WNDS TONIGHT AND POPS. IN THE NR TERM...CDFNT PROGRESSING EWD ACRS IL WITH SCT LN OF CONVECTION JUST AHEAD OF IT. MODELS PROG CDFNT TO THE ERN BORDER ARND 00Z/MON. SVR THREAT WL CONTINUE AHEAD OF CDFNT...WITH WT49 IN EFFECT FOR THE WRN AREAS TIL 21Z. PCPN THREAT SHOULD END WITH FROPA. WL LEAVE SOME CHC POPS OVR THE FAR ERN/SERN ZONES FOR AN HR OR TWO PAST 00Z TO COVER ANY LINGERING PCPN. APPEARS SOME 40-45KT GUSTS ARE LIKELY IN THE DRY SLOT BEHIND FROPA LTR THIS AFT...SO PLANNING ON ADJUSTING WND ADVISORY TO COVER XPCTD GUSTS LTR THIS AFT. COULD BE A FEW HRS OF CLRG UNDERNEATH DRY SLOT BEFORE LWR CLDS FILL BACK IN. IN THR LTR PDS...MON XPCTD TO BE DRY WITH SFC HI PRES RDG SETTLING INTO THE AREA. BY LT MON NIGHT...STG LLJ NOSES BACK INTO THE AREA WHICH SHOULD AID IN PCPN DVLPMT AGAIN. WL GO WITH LIKELY POPS FOR LT MON NIGHT AND TUES. LO LVL THICKNESSES SUGGEST THE GFS MOS HIGHS FOR MON MAY BE ABOUT 5 DEGS TOO COOL...OTRW GUIDANCE LOOKS OK FOR NOW. THE EXTENDED LOOKS DRY AND COOLER AS COOL CANADIAN HIGH PRES BUILDS IN. MADE LITTLE CHANGES THERE. && .IND WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES... WIND ADVISORY UNTIL MIDNIGHT TONIGHT FOR INZ021-028>031-035>049-051>057-060>065-067>072. && PUBLIC...JAS AVIATION...CP
HAZARDOUS WEATHER OUTLOOK...UPDATED NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE INDIANAPOLIS IN 701 PM EDT SUN MAR 8 2009 INZ021-030-031-036>042-044>049-052>057-061>065-068>072-092315- CARROLL-CLINTON-HOWARD-MONTGOMERY-BOONE-TIPTON-HAMILTON-MADISON- DELAWARE-RANDOLPH-PARKE-PUTNAM-HENDRICKS-MARION-HANCOCK-HENRY- CLAY-OWEN-MORGAN-JOHNSON-SHELBY-RUSH-GREENE-MONROE-BROWN- BARTHOLOMEW-DECATUR-DAVIESS-MARTIN-LAWRENCE-JACKSON-JENNINGS- 701 PM EDT SUN MAR 8 2009 ...WIND ADVISORY NOW IN EFFECT UNTIL MIDNIGHT EDT TONIGHT... THIS HAZARDOUS WEATHER OUTLOOK IS FOR CENTRAL INDIANA. .DAY ONE...TONIGHT. WEST WINDS OF 20 TO 30 MPH WITH BRIEF GUSTS OF 45 TO 50 MPH CAN BE EXPECTED THIS EVENING INTO TONIGHT. .DAYS TWO THROUGH SEVEN...MONDAY THROUGH SATURDAY. THUNDERSTORMS ARE POSSIBLE TUESDAY. PRESENT INDICATIONS ARE THAT SOME OF THE STORMS MAY BE STRONG TO SEVERE. .SPOTTER INFORMATION STATEMENT... SPOTTER ACTIVATION IS POSSIBLE AGAIN TUESDAY. && MORE INFORMATION...ALONG WITH OTHER WEATHER...HYDROLOGICAL AND CLIMATE INFORMATION CAN BE FOUND...AT HTTP://WEATHER.GOV/IND (ALL LOWERCASE) INZ028-029-035-043-051-060-067-092315- WARREN-TIPPECANOE-FOUNTAIN-VERMILLION-VIGO-SULLIVAN-KNOX- 701 PM EDT SUN MAR 8 2009 ...WIND ADVISORY NOW IN EFFECT UNTIL MIDNIGHT EDT TONIGHT... THIS HAZARDOUS WEATHER OUTLOOK IS FOR CENTRAL INDIANA. .DAY ONE...TONIGHT. WEST WINDS OF 20 TO 30 MPH WITH BRIEF GUSTS OF 45 TO 50 MPH CAN BE EXPECTED THIS EVENING INTO TONIGHT. .DAYS TWO THROUGH SEVEN...MONDAY THROUGH SATURDAY. THUNDERSTORMS ARE POSSIBLE TUESDAY. PRESENT INDICATIONS ARE THAT SOME OF THE STORMS MAY BE STRONG TO SEVERE. FLOODING IS EXPECTED TO DEVELOP ALONG THE WABASH RIVER AFTER TUESDAY. SEE THE LATEST HYDROLOGIC STATEMENT FOR ADDITIONAL DETAILS. .SPOTTER INFORMATION STATEMENT... SPOTTER ACTIVATION IS POSSIBLE AGAIN TUESDAY. && MORE INFORMATION...ALONG WITH OTHER WEATHER...HYDROLOGICAL AND CLIMATE INFORMATION CAN BE FOUND...AT HTTP://WEATHER.GOV/IND (ALL LOWERCASE) CO
PRELIMINARY LOCAL STORM REPORT
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE INDIANAPOLIS IN
423 PM EDT SUN MAR 08 2009
..TIME... ...EVENT... ...CITY LOCATION... ...LAT.LON...
..DATE... ....MAG.... ..COUNTY LOCATION..ST.. ...SOURCE....
..REMARKS..
0415 PM TSTM WND DMG ROSSVILLE 40.42N 86.60W
03/08/2009 CLINTON IN LAW ENFORCEMENT
POWER LINES DOWN.
&&
ABROOKSPRELIMINARY LOCAL STORM REPORT
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE INDIANAPOLIS IN
424 PM EDT SUN MAR 08 2009
..TIME... ...EVENT... ...CITY LOCATION... ...LAT.LON...
..DATE... ....MAG.... ..COUNTY LOCATION..ST.. ...SOURCE....
..REMARKS..
0406 PM TSTM WND GST 1 SE DAYTON 40.37N 86.76W
03/08/2009 M60 MPH TIPPECANOE IN DEPT OF HIGHWAYS
52 KNOT GUST MEASURED BY HIGHWAY MESONET SITE.
&&
JNIELDPRELIMINARY LOCAL STORM REPORT
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE INDIANAPOLIS IN
425 PM EDT SUN MAR 08 2009
..TIME... ...EVENT... ...CITY LOCATION... ...LAT.LON...
..DATE... ....MAG.... ..COUNTY LOCATION..ST.. ...SOURCE....
..REMARKS..
0300 PM TSTM WND DMG FREELANDVILLE 38.86N 87.31W
03/08/2009 KNOX IN BROADCAST MEDIA
STATE ROAD 58 WAS BLOCKED BY DEBRIS.
&&
ABROOKSPRELIMINARY LOCAL STORM REPORT...CORRECTED
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE INDIANAPOLIS IN
655 PM EDT SUN MAR 08 2009
..TIME... ...EVENT... ...CITY LOCATION... ...LAT.LON...
..DATE... ....MAG.... ..COUNTY LOCATION..ST.. ...SOURCE....
..REMARKS..
0339 PM TORNADO 3 W BEDFORD 38.86N 86.55W
03/08/2009 LAWRENCE IN LAW ENFORCEMENT
*** 1 INJ *** TORNADO REPORTED ON THE GROUND IN
FAYETTEVILLE. BUS THROWN ONTO A RESIDENCE.
&&
JNIELDPRELIMINARY LOCAL STORM REPORT
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE INDIANAPOLIS IN
657 PM EDT SUN MAR 08 2009
..TIME... ...EVENT... ...CITY LOCATION... ...LAT.LON...
..DATE... ....MAG.... ..COUNTY LOCATION..ST.. ...SOURCE....
..REMARKS..
0350 PM TSTM WND DMG HELTONVILLE 38.93N 86.38W
03/08/2009 LAWRENCE IN BROADCAST MEDIA
WTHR REPORTS DAMAGE VIEWED FROM HELICOPTER IN
HELTONVILLE. EXACT CAUSE UNKNOWN AT THIS TIME. EVENT TIME
IS ESTIMATED.
&&
JNIELDPRELIMINARY LOCAL STORM REPORT...SUMMARY
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE INDIANAPOLIS IN
702 PM EDT SUN MAR 08 2009
..TIME... ...EVENT... ...CITY LOCATION... ...LAT.LON...
..DATE... ....MAG.... ..COUNTY LOCATION..ST.. ...SOURCE....
..REMARKS..
0243 PM TSTM WND GST VINCENNES 38.68N 87.51W
03/08/2009 M91.00 MPH KNOX IN ASOS
0250 PM HAIL VINCENNES 38.68N 87.51W
03/08/2009 E0.50 INCH KNOX IN CO-OP OBSERVER
ALSO WIND GUSTS TO 46 MPH.
0300 PM TORNADO S OAKTOWN 38.87N 87.44W
03/08/2009 KNOX IN FIRE DEPT/RESCUE
NEAR US 41
0300 PM TSTM WND DMG FREELANDVILLE 38.86N 87.31W
03/08/2009 KNOX IN BROADCAST MEDIA
STATE ROAD 58 WAS BLOCKED BY DEBRIS.
0312 PM FUNNEL CLOUD 8 N LOOGOOTEE 38.79N 86.91W
03/08/2009 MARTIN IN TRAINED SPOTTER
SPOTTER LOOKING TOWARDS WEST
0313 PM FUNNEL CLOUD ELNORA 38.88N 87.08W
03/08/2009 DAVIESS IN PUBLIC
0315 PM TORNADO 2 S ODON 38.81N 86.99W
03/08/2009 DAVIESS IN LAW ENFORCEMENT
POSSIBLE TOUCHDOWN.
0315 PM TORNADO S ODON 38.84N 86.99W
03/08/2009 DAVIESS IN BROADCAST MEDIA
2 HOMES DAMAGED OR DESTROYED. POSSIBLE TOUCHDOWN.
0320 PM TORNADO 3 SE ODON 38.81N 86.95W
03/08/2009 DAVIESS IN BROADCAST MEDIA
TRAILER DESTROYED.
0320 PM TSTM WND GST 3 SE ODON 38.81N 86.95W
03/08/2009 M83.00 MPH DAVIESS IN BROADCAST MEDIA
ALSO LOTS OF DEBRIS IN AIR
0339 PM TORNADO 3 W BEDFORD 38.86N 86.55W
03/08/2009 LAWRENCE IN LAW ENFORCEMENT
*** 1 INJ *** TORNADO REPORTED ON THE GROUND IN
FAYETTEVILLE. BUS THROWN ONTO A RESIDENCE.
0350 PM TSTM WND DMG HELTONVILLE 38.93N 86.38W
03/08/2009 LAWRENCE IN BROADCAST MEDIA
WTHR REPORTS DAMAGE VIEWED FROM HELICOPTER IN
HELTONVILLE. EXACT CAUSE UNKNOWN AT THIS TIME. EVENT TIME
IS ESTIMATED.
0354 PM TSTM WND GST LAFAYETTE 40.41N 86.87W
03/08/2009 E60.00 MPH TIPPECANOE IN TRAINED SPOTTER
0355 PM TSTM WND DMG LAFAYETTE 40.41N 86.87W
03/08/2009 TIPPECANOE IN LAW ENFORCEMENT
TREES DOWN.
0406 PM TSTM WND GST 1 SE DAYTON 40.37N 86.76W
03/08/2009 M60.00 MPH TIPPECANOE IN DEPT OF HIGHWAYS
52 KNOT GUST MEASURED BY HIGHWAY MESONET SITE.
0415 PM TSTM WND DMG FLORA 40.54N 86.52W
03/08/2009 CARROLL IN LAW ENFORCEMENT
ROOF OFF OF A BUILDING. TREES AND POWERLINES DOWN.
0415 PM TSTM WND DMG ROSSVILLE 40.42N 86.60W
03/08/2009 CLINTON IN LAW ENFORCEMENT
POWER LINES DOWN.
0440 PM TSTM WND DMG 3 S KOKOMO 40.43N 86.13W
03/08/2009 HOWARD IN AMATEUR RADIO
TREE DOWN.
&&
JNIELDThe national radar mosaic for the moment the first event began.
11 flood. Local standard time, as filed.
Extensive flooding occurred along the Wabash River in and near Lafayette, IN. The river crested 10.85 feet above flood stage on March 12th, a reading of 21.85 feet.
Extensive flooding occurred along the Wabash River near Lodi, IN. The river crested 9.69 feet above flood stage on March 13th, a reading of 25.69 feet.
Extensive flooding occurred along the Wabash River in and near Covington, IN. The river crested 9.69 feet above flood stage at the Covington river gauge on March 13th, a reading of 25.69 feet.
Extensive flooding occurred along the Wabash River in Vermillion County near Covington, IN. The river crested 9.69 feet above flood stage at the Covington river gauge on March 13th, a reading of 25.69 feet.
Extensive flooding of agricultural land occurred along the Wabash River in Vermillion County near Hillsdale and Alta, IN. The river crested 10.69 feet above flood stage at the Montezuma, IN river gauge on March 14th, a reading of 24.69 feet. The flooding also affected some roads.
Extensive flooding of agricultural land occurred along the Wabash River in Parke County in and near Montezuma, IN. The river crested 10.69 feet above flood stage at the Montezuma river gauge on March 14th, a reading of 24.69 feet. The flooding also affected some roads and possibly flooded basements.
Flooding occurred along the Wabash River in and near Terre Haute, IN. The river crested 6.94 feet above flood stage at the Terre Haute river gauge on March 15th with a reading of 20.94 feet. Flooding of this magnitude typically affects county roads, river cabins, about 10 homes, and agricultural land. No information was received regarding any damages.
Flooding occurred along the Wabash River in Sullivan County across from Hutsonville, IL. The river crested 6.6 feet above flood stage at the Hutsonville river gauge on March 17th with a reading of 22.6 feet. Floods in this area of Sullivan County affect agricultural/hunting land and county roads almost exclusively.
Extensive flooding of agricultural land occurred along the Wabash River in and near Clinton, IN. The river crested 6.1 feet above flood stage at the Clinton river gauge on March 14th with a reading of 24.1 feet. Data is estimated due to missing data.
Extensive flooding of agricultural land occurred along the Wabash River near Lyford, IN, and across the river from Clinton. The river crested 6.1 feet above flood stage at the Clinton river gauge on March 14th with a reading of 24.1 feet. Data is estimated due to missing data.
Extensive flooding occurred along the Wabash River in/near Riverton, IN. The river crested 5.5 feet above flood stage at the Riverton river gauge on March 19th with a reading of 20.5 feet. Flooding of this magnitude typically affects rural roads, agricultural land, and isolates river cabins.
After NWS Directive 10-1605, the rules offices file Storm Data by.
Every storm in Indiana in 2009Every state in 2009This day in weather historyWarnings in Indiana, March 2009
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: 157245, 157246, 157247, 157248, 157249, 157250, 157296, 157302, 157251, 157252, 157307.