5 inches of rain to central Indiana in addition to the 3-5 inches that had fallen. This led to additional widespread flash flooding and exacerbated ongoing creek and river flooding to a point that many main stem rivers ended up reaching major flood stage.
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.
The final round of rain in a stretch of 4 days brought rain amounts of 2-4.5 inches of rain to central Indiana in addition to the 3-5 inches that had fallen. This led to additional widespread flash flooding and exacerbated ongoing creek and river flooding to a point that many main stem rivers ended up reaching major flood stage.
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 Apr 4, 9:04 PM EST, 26 minutes earlier. Its key messages:
Area Forecast Discussion National Weather Service Indianapolis IN 1004 PM EDT Fri Apr 4 2025 .KEY MESSAGES... - Flood Watch through Sunday morning with rounds of moderate to heavy rain and total rainfall potentially as high as 6 to 8 inches in localized areas - Some strong to severe storms possible again Tonight; Severe wind gusts and large hail are the primary threats - Widespread, significant river flooding expected late week into next week. && .FORECAST UPDATE... Issued at 801 PM EDT Fri Apr 4 2025 The KIND radar loop is showing widespread widespread moderate rain with embedded 50+ DBZ returns moving northeast into Vigo, Vermillion and Parke counties. This area will spread northeast across central Indiana through 9 pm and beyond. This area is associated with 305K lift, low level frontogenesis and anomalous deep moisture. In addition, Hi-Res and ACARS soundings are indicating unilateral flow with strong bulk shear noted. These ingredients will lead to a concern of training near and north of the I-70 corridor, late this evening with an inch or more an hour of rain possible. This could easily result in flash flooding, especially over urban and low lying areas. There will be an increasing chance of severe storms over south central sections toward Midnight as a wave induced by a 120 knot upper jet streak draws a stationary front, currently over north central Kentucky northward into south central Indiana. This will allow surface based storms to develop which due to the deep shear and long hodographs could produce mainly thunderstorm wind damage late this evening into at least the early overnight. The rain will continue into through the night, with more waves moving along the approaching front and flooding and flash flooding will continue to be a concern. && .MESOSCALE UPDATE... Issued at 1003 PM EDT Fri Apr 4 2025 MRMS reflectivity loop was showing a broad area of moderate rain with embedded heavy rain and embedded wavy bows streaming into central Indiana from Louisiana and Arkansas. The convection was fueled by 305K Isentropic lift and a 55 kt low level jet that extended northeast into western Kentucky resulting in anomalous PWATs to 1.5 inches per the SPC mesoanalysis site. The recent rainfall combined with these training echoes will lead to increasing chances of flash flooding late this evening and overnight. In addition, a warm front will move north of the Ohio River overnight which will allow for surface rooted storms and with strong deep shear and adequate instability result in an increasing risk for severe storms. Long curved hodographs support all types of severe over south central sections, including tornadoes. && .SHORT TERM (Today and tonight)... Issued at 253 AM EDT Fri Apr 4 2025 Through this Morning: The cold front has stalled out near the KY/IN border leading to widespread showers and thunderstorms along and just north of the boundary as warm moist air lifts above. Currently, these showers and storms are now south of central Indiana, but a few of these cells may sneak over the CWA boundary at times early this morning. Steep mid level lapse rates north of the boundary could allow for a few stronger updrafts and small to marginally severe hail to develop. This looks like a very low threat at this time for central Indiana, but non-zero nonetheless. Elsewhere, widespread stratus at about 5000ft remained strong, and is expected to maintain itself through the overnight and morning hours. This thick stratus layer will inhibit diurnal cooling significantly, with overnight temperatures remaining in the low 50s to upper 40s. This Afternoon through Tonight: The deep trough over the Western CONUS that has been creating this highly active pattern will continue a slow progression eastward today. A new area of upper level diffluence is expected to strengthen this morning through the afternoon ahead of this trough, and downstream of a phasing jet streak. In return, this will create a broad area of low level pressure depletion, and eventually another low pressure system over the lower to mid Mississippi Valley this afternoon. The low is expected to push NE within strong WAA nearing the western Ohio Valley overnight. This WAA push should be greatest in the 900-750mb layer this evening, pushing a elevated warm sector over the northern Ohio Valley. This isn't a true warm sector as the surface based boundary will lag behind, keeping mostly all the buoyancy above the surface layer. Now that the synoptic pattern has been discerned, how will that impact conditions here in central Indiana? Initially, this will lead to a suppressed cloud layer and light rainshowers this afternoon as the 900-750mb warm front lifts northward. Within this elevated frontal boundary a modest 0.3-0.6" is expected over a 6-8hr period. Once the elevated frontal zone is north of a location, clouds should lift some with a slight warm-up into the upper 50s to low 60s this evening into the overnight. Showers should become more isolated for a brief period following the elevated frontal passage The more prolific rainfall is expected to arrive shortly after sundown this evening as the LLJ strengthens and pushes highly anomalous moisture along the WCB into the Ohio Valley. Strong isentropic lift along with a deep CAPE profile should allow for very efficient rainfall processes with average rainfall rates around 1- 2"/6hr. Areas along and south of I-69 corridor are expected to have the most prolonged exposure to these higher precipitation rates with additional overnight rainfall of around 2" likely (isolated to scattered higher amounts are expected given the convective nature). As mentioned previously, the near surface frontal boundary will lag behind, with most (if not all) of central Indiana remaining in a "quasi-warm sector". This quasi-warm sector will have strong low level SW WAA, but will not have any surface based instability due to the surface inversion remaining intact, keeping these storms rooted above the boundary layer. Elevated storms are less efficient at producing severe wind gusts, and thus will lower the coverage of severe wind gusts within thunderstorms. With that said, given the strong LLJ, strong buoyancy above the surface inversion and shallowness of the surface inversion isolated severe wind gusts within wet microbursts and/or more organized clusters will be possible. These steep mid level lapse rates will also allow for an isolated severe hail threat within the stronger updrafts tonight. There was a caveat earlier with the mention of "most" of central Indiana will remain in the quasi-warm sector. This is due to the close proximity of the near surface boundary and the chance for it to reach the southern portions of central Indiana. If this does occur, the severe wind risk and isolated tornado risk will increase, thus this area of greater uncertainty has been highlight by the slight (level 2) risk by SPC. FLOOD POTENTIAL 1 to 3 inches across most of the CWA over the last 36 hours has led to heavily saturated soils and already rising river levels. An additional 0.3-0.6" this afternoon will only further saturate the area prior to the expected heavy rainfall tonight. This has led to an increasing concern in flash flooding for central Indiana, especially for those along and south of the I-69 corridor where an additional 2" or more of rain is expected to fall. For this reason a slight risk for excessive rainfall risk has been issued by WPC for most of S/E central Indiana. As heavy rain continues into Saturday morning, the excessive rain threat will continue to increase leading the a moderate risk for tomorrow. && .LONG TERM (Saturday through Thursday)... Issued at 253 AM EDT Fri Apr 4 2025 Saturday and Sunday Rainfall coverage and rates should diminish briefly again Saturday morning before the arrival of an additional surface wave into the region late Saturday This should result in the final round of moderate to heavy rainfall for central Indiana with the frontal boundary shifting back to the southeast of the region later Saturday night. This last round of rain doesn't look quite as potent with PWAT values, while still anomalous, fall closer towards climatology. Also, this wave will be backed by some CAA, pushing is quicker eastward, limiting the amount of training convection over central Indiana. Although rainfall amounts/rates are expected to be less on Saturday, the shear amount of prior rainfall in combination will continue the ongoing flooding concerns as even an inch of rain cloud lead further impacts. Regardless of how much rain falls on Saturday, river flooding this weekend through most of next week is expected to be significant, especially over the southern Wabash and White Rivers. Temperatures may struggle to climb out of the 40s on Sunday with a stiff northerly wind and periodic light showers moving through the area. Some models are hinting at snow mixing into these light showers, but given the thermal profile of low 40s over low 30s, wetbulbing to 35 and therefor snow chances looks unlikely. T Monday through Wednesday Monday Onward: After the wet and mild regime, a deep upper level trough will overspread the eastern half of the country next week with high confidence in cooler than normal conditions developing. Highs through the first half of next week will only range from the mid 40s to mid 50s with those temperatures subtly modifying later next week. There will be a few opportunities for mainly light precipitation as well as multiple weak waves aloft swing through the region. Cannot rule out a few snowflakes mixing in with rain at times. && .AVIATION (00Z TAF Issuance)... Issued at 740 PM EDT Fri Apr 4 2025 Rain and thunderstorms are gradually spreading into the far western part of the state. Lightning is most prolific west of KHUF and points southwest, but some lighting is evident west of KLAF. This activity will continue to move ENE over the next several hours. Wind gusts of 35kts have been observed from these thunderstorms and this trend will need to be monitored closely at KIND and KBMG. The risk of thunder diminishes behind this line as instability wanes. However, winds shift in the wake of this line of storms. Medium confidence in the timing of the advertised wind shifts. Rain showers return to the terminals after daybreak with a very low && .IND WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES... Flood Watch through Sunday morning for INZ021-028>031-035>049- 051>057-060>065-067>072. && MESOSCALE...MK UPDATE...MK SHORT TERM...Updike LONG TERM...Ryan/Updike AVIATION...Brown
Hazardous Weather Outlook...UPDATED National Weather Service Indianapolis IN 1013 PM EDT Fri Apr 4 2025 INZ021-028>031-035>049-051>057-060>065-067>072-051000- Carroll-Warren-Tippecanoe-Clinton-Howard-Fountain-Montgomery-Boone- Tipton-Hamilton-Madison-Delaware-Randolph-Vermillion-Parke-Putnam- Hendricks-Marion-Hancock-Henry-Vigo-Clay-Owen-Morgan-Johnson-Shelby- Rush-Sullivan-Greene-Monroe-Brown-Bartholomew-Decatur-Knox-Daviess- Martin-Lawrence-Jackson-Jennings- 1013 PM EDT Fri Apr 4 2025 This hazardous weather outlook is for central Indiana. .DAY ONE...Tonight. Thunderstorms will continue through Tonight. A few severe storms are possible with damaging winds and large hail as the primary severe threats. An isolated tornado can not be ruled out, especially over south central Indiana. Locally heavy rain will move northeast across the area and flash flooding will be possible. .DAYS TWO THROUGH SEVEN...Saturday through Thursday. More rounds of heavy rain through Saturday night will lead to additional flooding or prolonging existing flooding. Significant river flooding is expected to develop late this week and into the weekend. .SPOTTER INFORMATION STATEMENT... Spotters are encouraged to send reports of flooding. Spotter activation may be needed later today. && More information, along with other weather, hydrological and climate information can be found at http://weather.gov/ind
Special Weather Statement
National Weather Service Indianapolis IN
944 PM EDT Fri Apr 4 2025
INZ039-046>048-054-055-050215-
Johnson IN-Morgan IN-Hendricks IN-Hancock IN-Hamilton IN-Marion IN-
944 PM EDT Fri Apr 4 2025
...A strong thunderstorm will impact portions of southwestern
Hancock, northeastern Morgan, northwestern Johnson, east central
Hendricks, Marion and south central Hamilton Counties through 1015 PM
EDT...
At 944 PM EDT, Doppler radar was tracking a strong thunderstorm near
Speedway, or 7 miles southwest of Indianapolis, moving northeast at
40 mph.
HAZARD...Winds in excess of 40 mph and pea size hail.
SOURCE...Radar indicated.
IMPACT...Gusty winds could knock down tree limbs and blow around
unsecured objects. Minor hail damage to vegetation is
possible.
Locations impacted include...
Monument Circle, Castleton, Crows Nest, Southport, Spring Hill,
Plainfield, Warren Park, Wynnedale, Williams Creek, New Palestine,
Indianapolis Int'l Airport, Indiana State Fairgrounds, Camby, Broad
Ripple, Beech Grove, Greenwood, Homecroft, Meridian Hills, Lawrence,
and Cumberland.
This includes the following highways...
Interstate 65 between mile markers 100 and 122.
Interstate 69 between mile markers 200 and 201.
Interstate 70 between mile markers 68 and 97.
Interstate 74 between mile markers 72 and 100.
PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...
If outdoors, consider seeking shelter inside a building.
&&
LAT...LON 3975 8575 3970 8588 3970 8595 3967 8595
3955 8625 3974 8642 3996 8613
TIME...MOT...LOC 0144Z 235DEG 34KT 3972 8626
MAX HAIL SIZE...0.25 IN
MAX WIND GUST...40 MPH
GMPreliminary Local Storm Report
National Weather Service Indianapolis IN
1005 PM EDT Fri Apr 4 2025
..TIME... ...EVENT... ...CITY LOCATION... ...LAT.LON...
..DATE... ....MAG.... ..COUNTY LOCATION..ST.. ...SOURCE....
..REMARKS..
0858 PM Flood 2 S Indiana State Unive 39.43N 87.41W
04/04/2025 Vigo IN Public
Ditches overflowing leading to water
covering some roads.
&&
BHPreliminary Local Storm Report
National Weather Service Indianapolis IN
1006 PM EDT Fri Apr 4 2025
..TIME... ...EVENT... ...CITY LOCATION... ...LAT.LON...
..DATE... ....MAG.... ..COUNTY LOCATION..ST.. ...SOURCE....
..REMARKS..
0917 PM Flood 1 SE Terre Haute 39.46N 87.37W
04/04/2025 Vigo IN Public
Basement flooding. College Ave. nearly
impassible.
&&
BHPreliminary Local Storm Report
National Weather Service Indianapolis IN
1010 PM EDT Fri Apr 4 2025
..TIME... ...EVENT... ...CITY LOCATION... ...LAT.LON...
..DATE... ....MAG.... ..COUNTY LOCATION..ST.. ...SOURCE....
..REMARKS..
0955 PM Flood 1 NNW Greencastle 39.66N 86.85W
04/04/2025 Putnam IN Trained Spotter
Minor basement flooding up to 1 inch deep in
places.
&&
BHPreliminary Local Storm Report
National Weather Service Indianapolis IN
1015 PM EDT Fri Apr 4 2025
..TIME... ...EVENT... ...CITY LOCATION... ...LAT.LON...
..DATE... ....MAG.... ..COUNTY LOCATION..ST.. ...SOURCE....
..REMARKS..
1013 PM Rain 3 WNW Mooresville 39.63N 86.42W
04/04/2025 M1.79 Inch Hendricks IN Public
Amount in 45 minutes. Falling at rate of
about 1.8 inches per hour.
&&
BHSpecial Weather Statement
National Weather Service Indianapolis IN
1026 PM EDT Fri Apr 4 2025
INZ047-048-055>057-063>065-050315-
Rush IN-Johnson IN-Brown IN-Decatur IN-Bartholomew IN-Shelby IN-
Hancock IN-Marion IN-
1026 PM EDT Fri Apr 4 2025
...Strong thunderstorms will impact portions of Shelby, southeastern
Hancock, western Rush, northwestern Decatur, northeastern Brown,
eastern Johnson, northern Bartholomew and southeastern Marion
Counties through 1115 PM EDT...
At 1026 PM EDT, Doppler radar was tracking strong thunderstorms along
a line extending from near Greenwood to near Franklin to 8 miles
northeast of Nashville. Movement was east at 40 mph.
HAZARD...Winds in excess of 40 mph and pea size hail.
SOURCE...Radar indicated.
IMPACT...Gusty winds could knock down tree limbs and blow around
unsecured objects. Minor hail damage to vegetation is
possible.
Locations impacted include...
Franklin, New Whiteland, Geneva, Waldron, Moscow, Carthage, Manilla,
Edinburgh, Fairland, Arlington, Taylorsville, Flat Rock, Burney,
Milford, Adams, St. Paul, Whiteland, Clifford, Boggstown, and
Marietta.
This includes the following highways...
Interstate 65 between mile markers 73 and 101.
Interstate 74 between mile markers 100 and 131.
PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...
If outdoors, consider seeking shelter inside a building.
&&
LAT...LON 3931 8556 3924 8619 3946 8609 3964 8611
3979 8553 3979 8548 3955 8543
TIME...MOT...LOC 0226Z 255DEG 36KT 3961 8602 3944 8599 3928 8612
MAX HAIL SIZE...0.25 IN
MAX WIND GUST...40 MPH
GMThe Indianapolis radar (KIND), 3 km away, was scanning. The volume nearest the first event began at 02:31 UTC.
25 flash flood, 2 flood. Local standard time, as filed.
Widespread flash flooding ongoing across Marion county. Several cars stranded in flowing water. Rainfall amounts varied from 2 to 3.25 inches.
Street flooding and flowing water over the roads throughout Muncie. Rain amounts varied from 1.5 to 2.6 inches.
Ditches overflowing leading to water covering some roads. Total rainfall ranged from 2.75 to 3.50 inches.
I-69 southbound closed from State Road 58 to US 50 due to water flowing over the interstate. Numerous other roads closed. Total rainfall was between 2.5 and 3.3 inches.
Several cars stranded in water which required assistance in Carmel and Fishers. Total rainfall ranged from 1.5 to 2.1 inches.
Widespread flooding on State Road 67 with numerous road closures across the county. Total rainfall ranged from 2.8 to 4.4 inches.
Street flooding across Monroe county with numerous road closures. Total rainfall ranged from 2.9 to 4.1 inches.
Aerial flooding photographs from Hancock County 911 center show flooding at and near Arrowhead golf course including a flooded roadway. Total rainfall ranged from 2.3 to 3.1 inches.
State Road 58 was closed near Back Creek Road due to flash flooding. Numerous other roads closed. Total rainfall was between 1.2 and 2.9 inches.
Numerous roads closed across the county due to flash flooding. 2 dams went into elevated risk for failure. Total rainfall was between 1.7 and 2.5 inches.
Numerous roads closed due to flash flooding. US 231 had water flowing over it. River flooding later in the week would inundate dozens of structures.
Several roads were closed across the county due to water flowing over them. 3 water rescues conducted. Total rainfall was around 1.5 inches.
Numerous roads closed across the county due to heavy rains. Culverts were washed out. Total rainfall ranged from 2.6 to 3.1 inches.
Flooding temporarily closed sections of US 31 with several water rescues across the county. Total rainfall ranged from 2.6 to 4.0 inches.
Many sections of Rushville were impassable due to flooding. Several streams nearby had near record flooding. Total rainfall ranged from 2.7 to 3.1 inches.
Near record flooding occurred on the Big Blue River near Shelbyville with numerous roads closed during the overnight hours due to flash flooding. Total rainfall ranged from 3.1 to 3.6 inches.
Law enforcement unit reports water over Old Bruceville Rd near Church Rd. Total rainfall was between 2.25 and 2.75 inches.
Flooding on south section of the street near Family Dollar and Back street. Cars having to slow down due to flowing water. Total rainfall was around 3.75 inches.
US 231 was temporarily closed due to water flowing over the road. Flooding later in the week due to river flooding caused significant issues near the town of Shoals. Total rainfall ranged from 1.9 to 2.1 inches.
Basements flooded due to flash flooding with numerous roads closed across the county. Total rainfall was between 3.25 and 3.5 inches.
Widespread reports of water flowing over roads in Brownsburg and Avon. Total rainfall was between 2 and 3.50 inches.
Numerous roads closed across the county with several cars stranded in Brazil. Total rainfall ranged from 2.5 to 4.1 inches.
Several roads closed due to water flowing over them within the town of Rockville. Total rainfall was around 2.1 inches.
Water from Lake Hollybrook is flooding onto road. Numerous roads closed. Total rainfall ranged from 3.4 to 4.1 inches.
Water flowing over a bridge on State Road 135. Several water rescues completed. Total rainfall ranged from 2.6 to 3.4 inches.
A flood fatality occurred as the victim was clearing debris from a private pond. After the debris was cleared, a whirlpool formed in the pond and the man was sucked underneath.
The exact time is unknown, but the victim chose to stay in his home near the river when moderate to major flooding was ongoing. He was found 5 days later having drowned.
As the offices recorded each death: direct deaths were caused by the weather itself, indirect ones by something it set in motion.
| Event | Date | Age | Sex | Where | Kind |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Flood, Morgan | 2025-04-05 | 59 | Male | In Water | Direct |
| Flood, Bartholomew | 2025-04-06 | 62 | Male | Unknown | Direct |
After NWS Directive 10-1605, the rules offices file Storm Data by.
Every storm in Indiana in 2025Every state in 2025This day in weather historyWarnings in Indiana, April 2025
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: 1241670, 1241671, 1241674, 1241687, 1241692, 1241696, 1241672, 1241681, 1241682, 1241688, 1241690, 1241691, 1241693, 1241694, 1241698, 1241699, 1241676, 1241673, 1241695, 1241675, 1241677, 1241678, 1241697, 1241679, 1241685, 1241700, 1241701.