Tornadoes and Flood in Indiana, March 1, 2017

Name: Tornadoes and Flood in Indiana, March 1, 2017
Start: 2017-03-01T00:24
End: 2017-03-01T08:50
Location: Indiana

March 1, 2017 · NWS IND · 13 events in 6 counties and zones

Where it happened

Every event with a place to put it. 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: 1
Property damage: $344,000
Crop damage: $1,000
Events: 13

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.

A low pressure system brought very warm and unstable air for late February and early March to central Indiana. The result was severe thunderstorms and 7 tornadoes from the 28th of February to March 1st. A surface frontal system interacted with an unstable and high shear environment to produce the severe weather.

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 Feb 28, 11:45 PM EST, 39 minutes earlier.

Area forecast discussion, Feb 28, 11:45 PM EST, 39 minutes before

Area Forecast Discussion
National Weather Service Indianapolis IN
1145 PM EST Tue Feb 28 2017

.UPDATE...
The NEAR TERM Section has been updated below.

&&

.SYNOPSIS...
Issued at 330 PM EST Tue Feb 28 2017

Severe storms expected to develop and move through central
Indiana later tonight and during the overnight, with potential for
tornadoes, large hail and damaging winds. The threat will continue
into Wednesday morning until a cold front moves through to bring
it to an end. Small chances for rain or snow will be off and on
Wednesday night through Friday night for parts of the area, but a
warmup will come for the weekend. More rain chances arrive to end
the weekend and start the work week.

&&

.NEAR TERM /Overnight/...
Issued at 1145 PM EST Tue Feb 28 2017

Updated to include Tornado Watch number 49 for the northern central
Indiana counties through 7 am. Current thinking is there will be a
lull for the next couple of hours, but then any pre-squall
supercells and the squall line itself will be the main concerns with
all severe weather types possible.

Previous discussion follows...
Issued at 1007 PM EST Tue Feb 28 2017

Convection spreading over southwest sections of the forecast area
ahead of an upper wave over southern Illinois. This wave should pass
off to the east around 010700Z, but short term model guidance
suggests a squall line type feature associated with a cold front may
begin moving into the northwestern zones after 010600Z. This
evening's upper air indicates deep shear more than adequate for
severe convection, although the better axis of lapse rates is over
the southern parts of the state and farther south. Tornadic
potential exists with discrete cells tonight, as well as embedded
circulations within lines.

Previous discussion follows.

Forecast focus is on severe weather expected tonight-both the
threats and the timing. Incredible dynamics are coming into place
over the area with a strong upper jet and low level jet forecast to
come into phase tonight over the Ohio Valley. While instability
could be a somewhat limiting factor given the timing during the
night and no sunshine today, moisture return has been ample on
southerly flow and dewpoints in the 60s are already making their way
into central Indiana. The vertical shear profiles are extremely
favorable for rotating storms, and LCLs and LFCs are sufficiently
low to not impede tornado development.

Best estimate on timing of severe potential for the area at this
point is starting around 9pm in the western counties, 10-11
central and midnight or so east. Initially more discrete cells
are anticipated that could possibly morph into a line as they
move across the area, but some models are also indicating they may
keep their more discrete nature. There is also potential after
this first batch of storms that another may come behind them in
the form of a squall line ahead of the cold front.

Given the shear profiles, the tornado threat will continue through
the overnight hours, along with potential for very large hail and
damaging winds.

Also of note...southern counties received a couple of rounds of
showers and thunderstorms already today, with around an inch of
rain or more in some locations. With another couple of rounds
moving through tonight and ample moisture, see potential for
flash flooding and have issued a flash flood watch for that area.

&&

.SHORT TERM /Wednesday through Wednesday night/...

Issued at 330 PM EST Tue Feb 28 2017

Thunderstorms should be ongoing across the area to start the day
on Wednesday. A threat for severe storms will continue ahead of
the cold front which should somewhere in the forecast area at 12z
Wednesday morning. The threat should quickly come to an end by
around 15z or so as model consensus has the front east of the area
12-18z, depending on your model of choice, with the GFS faster and
the NAM slower. Given the time of day and waning instability
threat should be for damaging winds mainly as the aforementioned
ongoing storms start to fade in intensity.

Storm chances move out by Wednesday afternoon, and rain showers
should be exiting as well. An upper wave moving in from the north
will bring some rain chances transitioning to rain/snow mix over
to snow in the north and central parts of the forecast area early
evening into Wednesday night. No accumulation expected.

&&

.LONG TERM /Thursday through Tuesday/...

Issued at 145 PM EST Tue Feb 28 2017

A clipper type system could move through the Great Lakes Thursday
afternoon and night bringing chances for precip to much of the
area. Temperatures look warm enough Thursday afternoon for rain,
but a mix with snow could occur Thursday evening before
transitioning to all snow from north to south during the night.
Little to no accumulation expected.

Another clipper system will move through Friday night and could
bring chances for snow showers to the northern counties. Again
little to no accumulation expected.

Warmer air arrives Saturday and temperatures well above normal
then expected through Tuesday. Sunday night a front system will
approach and keep rain chances in the forecast through Monday
night.

&&

.AVIATION /Discussion for the 010300Z KIND TAF Update/...
Issued at 904 PM EST Tue Feb 28 2017

Convection beginning to develop over west central and southwest
Indiana at this time, ahead of upper wave moving through southern
Illinois. Should start to see convection in the KIND vicinity
within the next hour.

Previous discussion follows.

Although some widely scattered convection is possible early this
evening, it appears the best threat for organized convection at
the terminals will be after about 010400Z as an upper wave
currently moving through western Arkansas/Missouri lifts into
into the area, and a convective line associated with a cold front
moves in from the northwest after about 010700Z. IFR visibility
restrictions, and gusty shifting winds probable in and near
heavier cells.

Surface warm front continues to lift through the local area,
resulting in ceilings rising to about 015-025 south of front.
Most of the IFR ceilings expected to dissipate over the next
couple of hours as this front moves off to the northeast.

Models suggest a 55-60 kt low level jet will be developing over
the area tonight, resulting in a low level wind shear threat.
Model sounding suggest the inversion top will pass above 020 later
tonight, so the greatest threat for wind shear below 020 looks to
be this evening.

Occasional to frequent surface gusts 20-25 kts from 190-210
degrees expected most of the night. Surface gusts in excess of 30
kts possible after 010600Z as the core of the low level jet moves
overhead.

&&

.IND WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES...
Flash Flood Watch through Wednesday afternoon for INZ067>072.

&&

SYNOPSIS...CP
NEAR TERM...CP/JAS/MK
SHORT TERM...CP
LONG TERM....CP
AVIATION...JAS

Hazardous weather outlook, Feb 28, 4:53 PM EST, 7 hours 31 minutes before

Hazardous Weather Outlook
National Weather Service Indianapolis IN
453 PM EST Tue Feb 28 2017

INZ028>030-035>039-043>048-051>057-060>065-067>072-012200-
Warren-Tippecanoe-Clinton-Fountain-Montgomery-Boone-Tipton-Hamilton-
Vermillion-Parke-Putnam-Hendricks-Marion-Hancock-Vigo-Clay-Owen-
Morgan-Johnson-Shelby-Rush-Sullivan-Greene-Monroe-Brown-Bartholomew-
Decatur-Knox-Daviess-Martin-Lawrence-Jackson-Jennings-
Including the cities of Lafayette, Frankfort, Crawfordsville,
Indianapolis, Terre Haute, Shelbyville, Bloomington, Columbus,
Vincennes, Bedford, and Seymour
453 PM EST Tue Feb 28 2017

This hazardous weather outlook is for central Indiana.

.DAY ONE...Tonight.

Outlook: Moderate risk for severe weather.

Hazards: Tornadoes...Large Hail...Damaging winds...and heavy rain
causing flooding.

Timing: Severe storms are possible any time tonight, but the highest
threat will be from 10 PM through the nighttime hours.

Discussion: A frontal system will bring showers and thunderstorms to
central Indiana tonight. Some of the storms will be severe, with all
types of severe weather possible. The potential exists for multiple
waves of severe weather.

.DAYS TWO THROUGH SEVEN...Wednesday through Monday.

Outlook: There is a Slight Risk of severe weather for the southeast
half of central Indiana on Wednesday morning. Damaging winds, large
hail, and isolated tornadoes are possible along with cloud to ground
lightning and brief heavy rain.

Discussion: Severe weather will likely be ongoing at daybreak
Wednesday as a cold front move east across the area. The severe
threat will diminish across central Indiana by late morning. A
clipper system will move through Thursday night bringing rain and
snow showers to the area.

.SPOTTER INFORMATION STATEMENT...

Spotter activation is likely this evening through Wednesday morning.

&&

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

INZ021-031-040>042-049-012200-
Carroll-Howard-Madison-Delaware-Randolph-Henry-
Including the cities of Kokomo, Anderson, and Muncie
453 PM EST Tue Feb 28 2017

This hazardous weather outlook is for central Indiana.

.DAY ONE...Tonight.

Outlook: Enhanced Risk for severe weather.

Hazards: Damaging winds...tornadoes...large hail...and heavy rain.

Timing: Severe storms are possible mainly after 10 PM and then
through the night.

Discussion: A frontal system will bring showers and thunderstorms to
central Indiana tonight. Some of the storms will be severe, with all
types of severe weather possible. The potential exists for multiple
waves of severe weather.

.DAYS TWO THROUGH SEVEN...Wednesday through Monday.

Outlook: There is a Slight Risk of severe weather for the southeast
half of central Indiana on Wednesday morning. Damaging winds, large
hail, and isolated tornadoes are possible along with cloud to ground
lightning and brief heavy rain.

Discussion: Severe weather will likely be ongoing at daybreak
Wednesday as a cold front move east across the area. The severe
threat will diminish across central Indiana by late morning. A
clipper system will move through Thursday night bringing rain and
snow showers to the area.

.SPOTTER INFORMATION STATEMENT...

Spotter activation is likely late this evening through Wednesday
morning..

&&

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, Feb 28, 10:45 PM EST, 1 hour 39 minutes before

PRELIMINARY LOCAL STORM REPORT
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE INDIANAPOLIS IN
1045 PM EST TUE FEB 28 2017

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

1040 PM     HAIL             1 S MARTINSVILLE        39.41N  86.42W
02/28/2017  E0.88 INCH       MORGAN             IN   PUBLIC

&&

BHH

Special weather statement, Feb 28, 10:48 PM EST, 1 hour 36 minutes before

Special Weather Statement
National Weather Service Indianapolis IN
1048 PM EST Tue Feb 28 2017

INZ038>042-047>049-054>057-062>064-010530-
Tipton-Hamilton-Madison-Delaware-Randolph-Marion-Hancock-Henry-
Morgan-Johnson-Shelby-Rush-Monroe-Brown-Bartholomew-
Including the cities of Anderson, Muncie, Indianapolis,
Shelbyville, Bloomington, and Columbus
1048 PM EST Tue Feb 28 2017

...Strong Wind Gusts Associated with Thunderstorms...

Thunderstorms occurring across parts of central Indiana may
produce small hail and wind gusts to around 50 mph.

Local storm report, Feb 28, 10:56 PM EST, 1 hour 28 minutes before

PRELIMINARY LOCAL STORM REPORT...CORRECTED
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE INDIANAPOLIS IN
1056 PM EST TUE FEB 28 2017

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

1033 PM     TSTM WND GST     7 SW INDIANAPOLIS       39.72N  86.29W
02/28/2017  M46 MPH          MARION             IN   ASOS

&&

CORRECTED EVENT

BHH

Local storm report, Feb 28, 11:01 PM EST, 1 hour 23 minutes before

PRELIMINARY LOCAL STORM REPORT
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE INDIANAPOLIS IN
1101 PM EST TUE FEB 28 2017

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

1035 PM     TSTM WND GST     ZIONSVILLE              39.95N  86.27W
02/28/2017  M64 MPH          BOONE              IN   AWOS

&&

BHH

Local storm report, Feb 28, 11:02 PM EST, 1 hour 22 minutes before

PRELIMINARY LOCAL STORM REPORT
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE INDIANAPOLIS IN
1102 PM EST TUE FEB 28 2017

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

1053 PM     TSTM WND GST     3 NW MUNCIE             40.24N  85.40W
02/28/2017  M52 MPH          DELAWARE           IN   ASOS

&&

BHH

Local storm report, Feb 28, 11:08 PM EST, 1 hour 16 minutes before

PRELIMINARY LOCAL STORM REPORT
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE INDIANAPOLIS IN
1108 PM EST TUE FEB 28 2017

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

1105 PM     TSTM WND GST     FISHERS                 39.95N  86.02W
02/28/2017  M65 MPH          HAMILTON           IN   BROADCAST MEDIA

&&

DRT

The radar

The Indianapolis radar (KIND), 31 km away, was scanning. The volume nearest the first event began at 05:26 UTC.

Open the radar archive at this moment

Event by event

6 tornado, 5 thunderstorm wind, 1 hail, 1 flood. Local standard time, as filed.

Hail, Johnson

When: March 1, 12:24 AM EST to 12:26 AM EST
Where: Johnson County, 0.87 mi NW of Franklin
Measured: 1 in hail
Reported by: Trained Spotter
Coordinates: 39.490, -86.060

Thunderstorm Wind, Jackson

When: March 1, 1:37 AM EST
Where: Jackson County, 1.08 mi E of Seymour
Measured: 52 kt (60 mph) estimated gust
Property damage: $8,000
Reported by: Broadcast Media
Coordinates: 38.972, -85.880

Utility lines were downed and a power station was on fire near the 10th and North Obrien Streets intersection due to damaging thunderstorm wind gusts.

Thunderstorm Wind, Marion

When: March 1, 3:45 AM EST
Where: Marion County, 1.73 mi ENE of Castleton
Measured: 43 kt (49 mph) estimated gust
Property damage: $100
Reported by: Public
Coordinates: 39.910, -86.020

Small tree limbs, garden furniture, and fountains were blown down due to strong thunderstorm wind gusts.

Tornado, Daviess

When: March 1, 5:00 AM EST to 5:01 AM EST
Where: Daviess County, 3.06 mi SE of South Washington to 3.2 mi SE of South Washington
Rating: EF2
Path length: 0.15 mi
Path width: 30 yd
Property damage: $40,000
Reported by: NWS Storm Survey
Coordinates: 38.599, -87.139

The parent storm was moving southeast at 60 mph through southwest Daviess County, with a brief spin-up occurring along the line. This EF-2 tornado, with winds of approximately 113 mph, did damage that included walls blown out of a garage that was attached to a home, along with the destruction of a pole barn.

Tornado, Daviess

When: March 1, 5:05 AM EST to 5:06 AM EST
Where: Daviess County, 0.88 mi S of Black Oak to 1.26 mi S of Montgomery
Rating: EF2
Path length: 1.52 mi
Path width: 30 yd
Property damage: $65,000
Reported by: NWS Storm Survey
Coordinates: 38.657, -87.078

This EF-2 tornado was on the ground intermittently throughout the 1.52 mile path. The maximum wind associated with this tornado was approximately 125 mph. Early on, a swath of trees were snapped at elevated heights. Later, two very large trees were snapped and a metal power line truss collapsed.

Thunderstorm Wind, Daviess

When: March 1, 5:10 AM EST
Where: Daviess County, 0.69 mi S of Washington
Measured: 52 kt (60 mph) estimated gust
Property damage: $5,000
Reported by: Emergency Manager
Coordinates: 38.660, -87.170

A storage shed was blown over due to damaging thunderstorm wind gusts. Trees were also reported down and the power was out in the area.

Thunderstorm Wind, Daviess

When: March 1, 5:10 AM EST
Where: Daviess County, 2.84 mi SSE of South Washington
Measured: 56 kt (64 mph) estimated gust
Property damage: $7,000
Reported by: Emergency Manager
Coordinates: 38.592, -87.161

A school's portable building was blown off it's foundation due to damaging thunderstorm wind gusts. A nearby trailer was also damaged.

Tornado, Daviess

When: March 1, 5:10 AM EST to 5:11 AM EST
Where: Daviess County, 1.78 mi S of Cannelburg to 1.76 mi S of Cannelburg
Rating: EF1
Path length: 0.04 mi
Path width: 30 yd
Property damage: $35,000
Reported by: NWS Storm Survey
Coordinates: 38.644, -87.001

This EF-1 tornado, with winds estimated at 110 mph, produced damage at this location that included moving an unattached, not anchored garage off it's foundation a few feet. Also, a camper was lifted and blown approximately 30 yards, hitting the house and then destroyed.

Thunderstorm Wind, Martin

When: March 1, 5:25 AM EST
Where: Martin County, 1.05 mi W of Natchez
Measured: 52 kt (60 mph) estimated gust
Injuries: 1 direct, 0 indirect
Property damage: $16,000
Reported by: Broadcast Media
Coordinates: 38.618, -86.719

A large tree was downed onto a home due to damaging thunderstorm wind gusts. One person sustained non-life threatening injuries.

Tornado, Lawrence

When: March 1, 5:30 AM EST to 5:31 AM EST
Where: Lawrence County, 2.31 mi W of Mitchell to 2.12 mi W of Mitchell
Rating: EF1
Path length: 0.21 mi
Path width: 40 yd
Property damage: $22,000
Reported by: NWS Storm Survey
Coordinates: 38.728, -86.513

This EF-1 tornado, with winds up to 110 mph, uprooted trees at the start of the path. Uphill, a barn's roof was lofted nearly 100 yards to the northeast. The associated house had the majority of the roof lofted and thrown over 100 yards to the northeast. The east wall of the house and garage displayed widespread mud and insulation splatter. Insulation also splattered inside the mailbox from an east wind component. A lamp post was broken, laying westward.

Tornado, Lawrence

When: March 1, 5:37 AM EST to 5:38 AM EST
Where: Lawrence County, 2.98 mi SSW of Bond to 2.92 mi S of Bond
Rating: EF2
Path length: 0.58 mi
Path width: 25 yd
Continued into: Orange, In (LMK)
Property damage: $100,000
Reported by: NWS Storm Survey
Coordinates: 38.690, -86.341

This EF-2 tornado, with maximum wind speeds of 130 mph, collapsed 3 metal chicken barns and damaged or destroyed some outbuildings. The tornado continued southeast into NWS WFO Louisville's area of responsibility.

Tornado, Jackson

When: March 1, 5:45 AM EST to 5:46 AM EST
Where: Jackson County, 3.59 mi W of Tampico to 3.37 mi W of Tampico
Rating: EF2
Path length: 0.25 mi
Path width: 50 yd
Property damage: $45,000
Reported by: NWS Storm Survey
Coordinates: 38.799, -86.017

A brief EF-2 tornado, with winds up to 115 mph, touched down with the tornado lifting a garage up and partially off its foundation, turning the garage about 30 degrees, and resting it on top of a pickup truck which was in the garage. A frame ranch house next to the garage lost a substantial portion of its roof which was deposited to the northeast behind the house. Insulation from the house was splattered against the entire east wall of the house and the entire remaining roof of the east side of the home. A 25 foot trailer in the driveway was lifted, turned 180 degrees, and flipped onto its side, resting against the home.

This brief EF-2 tornado was embedded within a 12 mile long downburst path, which extended from just east of Medora to just west of Crothersville. Within this downburst path, straight line winds to at least 115 mph collapsed 3 metal transmission towers, all laying to the east. These transmission towers were about 7 miles east of the tornado path.

Flood, Jackson

When: March 1, 6:48 AM EST to 8:50 AM EST
Where: Jackson County, 2.72 mi ESE of New Farmington to 2.17 mi ESE of New Farmington
Cause: Heavy Rain
Property damage: $1,000
Crop damage: $1,000
Reported by: Public
Coordinates: 38.906, -85.823

Highway 31 was flooded with 8 inches above the road due to thunderstorm heavy rainfall.

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.
Tornado: A violently rotating column of air in contact with the ground and extending from a thunderstorm, filed with its path, width and Fujita or Enhanced Fujita rating from the damage survey.
Flood: Flooding that develops more slowly than a flash flood: rivers leaving their banks, or water standing over land for an extended time.

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

The same day elsewhere

Every storm in Indiana in 2017 Every state in 2017 This day in weather history The tornado archive for Indiana, 2017 Warnings in Indiana, March 2017

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: 684679, 684683, 684685, 685157, 685213, 684686, 684691, 687137, 684693, 687139, 687141, 687142, 690643.