During the 18th midday and afternoon hours, a fast-moving line of severe thunderstorms swept through central Indiana, producing widespread damaging straight line winds. The severe weather entered the western portions of the IND CWA shortly after 1200 EST, with initial damage reported in Parke and Clay Counties where multiple trees and three power poles were downed.
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.
During the 18th midday and afternoon hours, a fast-moving line of severe thunderstorms swept through central Indiana, producing widespread damaging straight line winds. The severe weather entered the western portions of the IND CWA shortly after 1200 EST, with initial damage reported in Parke and Clay Counties where multiple trees and three power poles were downed. The line tracked quickly eastward through the early afternoon, impacting the Indianapolis metropolitan area and adjacent counties. Widespread wind damage to trees and utility lines was noted, particularly across Owen County where an estimated gust of 55 knots (63 mph) downed a significant number of trees and powerlines. Further north, an estimated 60 mph gust in Boone County was followed by a measured gust of 53 knots (61 mph) at the Indianapolis Executive Airport north of Zionsville at 1335 EST. Power lines were also downed in Hamilton County before the primary severe wind threat subsided.
In addition to the damaging winds, torrential downpours dropped widespread 2.00 to 3.00 inches of rain across the region, producing significant areal and flash flooding from mid-afternoon into the evening. Knox County was impacted first, where roughly 2.00 inches of rainfall caused water to flow over State Roads 58 and 67, flooded local intersections from Bruceville to Oaktown, and caused manholes to overflow. As the heavy rainfall progressed eastward, county-wide road flooding developed across Putnam, Hancock, Marion, and Owen Counties, with the latter reporting up to 3.00 inches. The most severe hydrological impact occurred in Morgan County, where approximately 3.00 inches of rainfall inundated a residential home, requiring the deployment of sandbags to combat the rising floodwaters.
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 May 18, 11:45 AM EST, 27 minutes earlier. Its key messages:
Area Forecast Discussion National Weather Service Indianapolis IN 1245 PM EDT Mon May 18 2026 .KEY MESSAGES... - Severe storms possible this afternoon and again Tuesday afternoon and evening with damaging winds, large hail and localized flooding - Highs in the 80s today and Tuesday - Storms will end Wednesday as the front shifts south, but unsettled weather likely returns late this week into the holiday weekend && .FORECAST UPDATE... Issued at 1014 AM EDT Mon May 18 2026 A line of thunderstorms continues to march east into central Illinois this morning, and scattered convection is developing ahead of this line with an area of additional lift. Temperatures across central Indiana were already in the upper 70s with dewpoints generally in the lower to middle 60s. Upper 60s dewpoints were in the far southwest and farther upstream to the southwest. Based on latest radar trends, sped up arrival of PoPs this morning into early afternoon. The newer convection leads to some increased uncertainty on how convection evolves this afternoon. Instability will continue to build, especially central and east before the clouds from upstream convection limit heating. The initial convection will be able to tap into this instability, but upstream convection may have less to work with. Either way, strong to severe convection remains a threat into the afternoon so will continue to mention. High temperatures may be optimistic west but for now will make no changes and continue to monitor. && .MESOSCALE UPDATE... Issued at 1244 PM EDT Mon May 18 2026 Thunderstorms are developing along the Indiana Illinois state line. These storms have been loosely organized so far, but an outflow boundary from convection further upstream is impinging from the west. This outflow boundary may allow storms to consolidate into a more coherent line as they progress deeper into Indiana. A recent sounding from Purdue University shows modest lapse rates between 6-7 C/Km, with a moist profile to about 500 mb. Additionally, modest shear is also present (20-25 knots) with messy hodographs centered around the mean storm motion. As such, little in the way of storm relative upper-level outflow appears likely...storms should behave more like single cells to multicell clusters until they become influenced by the outflow boundary or their own outflow. Once storms consolidate on the outflow boundary, they should still be relatively 'pulsey' in nature but more organized than in the open warm sector. The primary threat today appears to be strong wind gusts, as enough moisture loading within mature updrafts is possible for wet microbursts. Additionally, cold pool dynamics such as rear- inflow jet surges are also possible which may produce strong to damaging wind gusts. Given a mean shear vector towards the northeast, cold pools that orient in a NW to SE direction pose the greatest threat for severe wind gusts. Hail is possible but given only modest lapse rates, high moisture content, and the lack of long straight hodographs it does not appear to be all that likely. Tornado potential also appears low, given the outflow dominant nature of storms today. A brief QLCS spin up cannot be ruled out, however. Another threat, likely replacing wind as the primary hazard later this evening, is the potential for flooding and flash flooding. High- resolution guidance shows the cold pool settling in a SW to NE fashion across central Indiana. This may allow for repeated rounds of storms into tonight. As mentioned above, moisture content in the profile is high and freezing levels are near 15,000 feet. With a warm cloud layer over 10,000 feet in thickness, warm rain processes should lead to efficient rainfall production today. As such, various CAMs are showing pockets of very heavy rainfall totals between 3 to 5 inches. HREF ensemble mean shows a large area of 1 to 2 inches. Because of this potential, a Flood Watch has been issued for for western portions of the area. As cold pools become more defined, this may need to be trimmed or expanded. && .DISCUSSION (Today through Sunday)... Issued at 258 AM EDT Mon May 18 2026 An amplified upper level pattern for early this week anchored by a deep trough over the northern Rockies and strong ridging over the eastern part of the country. The ridge will gradually flatten as the trough shifts east enabling a strong cold front to track into the region by late Tuesday. With a warm and unstable airmass ahead of the front...multiple opportunities for thunderstorms will exist through Tuesday night with severe weather possible this afternoon and potentially again Tuesday afternoon and evening as the cold front moves through. High pressure will bring a briefly drier period midweek before unsettled conditions return late week in response to the front lifting back north into the region. Today through Tuesday Night Quiet early morning across central Indiana with clear skies. 06Z temperatures remained warm in the upper 60s and lower 70s in many locations. An active 48 hours is anticipated through Tuesday night with multiple opportunities for rain and thunderstorms and the potential for severe weather in advance of a cold front currently over the Plains and poised to move across the area by Tuesday evening. An ongoing area of convection continues early this morning from the upper Midwest southwest into central Kansas. Much of the line has weakened from Sunday evening with the exception of the southern part of the line over the Missouri Valley where instability and BL shear remain more than sufficient to maintain convective intensity. This portion of the line is likely to remain strong for the remainder of the night with an in creasing flood risk as it sags into south central Missouri and becomes increasingly parallel to the mean flow. The weaker portion of the line over Iowa is of greater interest to the forecast area as its remnants will enable the old outflow boundary to drift into central Illinois by mid to late morning with convection becoming reinvigorated as the outflow interacts with a rapidly destabilizing airmass over the region. Convection will continue to grow upscale as it tracks into the Wabash Valley early this afternoon then presses southeast across the forecast area. Model soundings show steepening mid level lapse rates with SBCAPEs 2000-2500 j/kg and sufficient shear that would support damaging winds...especially if the cold pool can mature. Furthermore...DCAPE values approach 1000 j/kg immediately ahead of the convective line which also lends credence to the damaging wind risk. Abundant CAPE is present within the hail growth zone as well and stronger cells will carry a large hail threat as well. Timing of the greatest risk for severe weather will be between 17Z and 22Z. Storms will weaken as they track towards the Indiana-Ohio border by early evening as it moves away from the deeper instability and stronger low level winds. An axis of PWATs between 1.75 and 2 inches will support torrential rainfall and flooding. The greatest concern will be across the southwest half of the forecast area as training cells become a factor with the line curving back to the west along the instability axis. Showers and embedded storms will continue into the evening but with the airmass worked over from the afternoon convection...the general trend will be towards rain diminishing as weak ridging aloft reestablishes for the overnight. Tuesday has become a bit more uncertain with respect to convective evolution and the potential for another round of severe weather as the model suite has sped up the arrival of the front into the forecast area in the afternoon. More impactful though will be the possibility of convective cloud debris by Tuesday morning from an MCS over the Missouri Valley Monday night. That will stunt diurnal heating and available instability and the earlier arrival of the front during the afternoon presents the possibility that the greater risk for more robust convection will focus across the southeast half of the forecast area and points east late afternoon into the evening. That being said...model soundings do continue to highlight mid level lapse rates up to 7.5C/km with a deep layer of dry adiabatic flow across the region combined with sufficient levels of BL shear to support scattered stronger convection at a minimum with the available instability. Damaging winds will again be the primary risk from these storms with large hail serving as a secondary threat. The cold front will become more parallel to the flow aloft on Tuesday night which will keep showers and thunderstorms across much of the forecast area into Tuesday night...gradually ending from the north overnight as drier air advects into the region. Highs will be tricky both today and Tuesday...dependent on convective timing this afternoon and cloud debris Tuesday. Nudged highs both days down from the model blend with low to mid 80s for much of the forecast area. Wednesday through Sunday Convection may still be ongoing across the southeast half of the forecast area Wednesday morning but will gradually end through the morning as the front shifts south of the region and high pressure builds into the Great Lakes. Confidence continues to grow on the boundary becomes quasi stationary across the Tennessee Valley into Thursday before lifting back north into the Ohio Valley Friday as the high passing to the north moves east into New England. The ensemble guidance has gotten more aggressive in this solution with scattered to numerous showers and storms Friday and Friday night as the front lifts north through the forecast area. Lower confidence remains for the weekend as the return of a warmer and more unstable airmass south of the front will support at least a daily threat for scattered convection but the lack of much agreement in the model ensemble makes employing detail in the timing and coverage of rainfall difficult through much of the holiday weekend. After temperatures mainly in the upper 60s and low 70s Wednesday and Thursday...highs will climb back into the upper 70s and lower 80s Saturday and Sunday. && .AVIATION (12Z TAF Issuance)... Issued at 609 AM EDT Mon May 18 2026 Impacts: - A line of severe thunderstorms expected to impact all terminals this afternoon with showers continuing into the evening - Peak wind gusts this afternoon at 25 to 30kts Discussion: Mainly sunny skies are expected to start but expect an increase in mid and high level clouds as the morning progresses associated with the remnant convective cluster extending from western Illinois back into Missouri. Storms should continue to weaken over the next few hours but the leftover outflow boundary is likely to serve as a focal point for renewed convective development by late morning across central and eastern Illinois as it interacts with an increasing unstable airmass. The line will move into the Wabash Valley early this afternoon then track across the terminals during the 17 to 22Z timeframe. Damaging winds will be a possibility along the leading edge of the convective line Restrictions to IFR and lower will accompany the line as well. Scattered convection should linger into the evening before gradually diminishing in coverage. Windy conditions will develop quickly after daybreak with peak gusts at 25 to 30kts prior to storms arriving in the afternoon. Gusts should drop off by early evening. && .IND WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES... None. && MESOSCALE...Eckhoff UPDATE...50 AVIATION...Ryan DISCUSSION...Ryan
Hazardous Weather Outlook National Weather Service Indianapolis IN 310 AM EDT Mon May 18 2026 INZ021-028>031-035>049-051>057-060>065-067>072-191000- 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- 310 AM EDT Mon May 18 2026 This hazardous weather outlook is for central Indiana. .DAY ONE...Today and Tonight. Thunderstorms will impact central Indiana this afternoon into the evening. Severe storms are possible with damaging winds and large hail as the primary threats. Torrential rainfall producing localized flooding is also possible, focused especially across the southwest half of central Indiana. The timing of greatest impacts will be between 1 pm and 7 pm. .DAYS TWO THROUGH SEVEN...Tuesday through Sunday. Scattered severe storms are possible again Tuesday afternoon and evening. Damaging winds and large hail will be the primary threats with localized flooding possible. Additional chances for thunderstorms return Friday into the holiday weekend. .SPOTTER INFORMATION STATEMENT... Spotter activation will likely be needed later today, and possibly Tuesday afternoon and evening as well. Spotters are encouraged to continue monitoring the forecast. && More information, along with other weather, hydrological and climate information can be found at http://weather.gov/ind Ryan
Special Weather Statement
National Weather Service Indianapolis IN
1156 AM EDT Mon May 18 2026
INZ028-029-035-036-043-181645-
Montgomery IN-Fountain IN-Warren IN-Vermillion IN-Tippecanoe IN-
1156 AM EDT Mon May 18 2026
...Strong thunderstorms will impact portions of Fountain, western
Tippecanoe, Warren, northwestern Vermillion and northwestern
Montgomery Counties through 1245 PM EDT...
At 1156 AM EDT, Doppler radar was tracking strong thunderstorms along
a line extending from near Boswell to 8 miles north of Newport.
Movement was northeast at 45 mph.
HAZARD...Winds in excess of 40 mph.
SOURCE...Radar indicated.
IMPACT...Gusty winds could knock down tree limbs and blow around
unsecured objects.
Locations impacted include...
Lafayette, West Lafayette, Covington, Veedersburg, Williamsport,
Attica, Shadeland, West Lebanon, Hillsboro, Perrysville, New
Richmond, Wingate, Newtown, Pine Village, Mellott, State Line City,
Purdue University, Pence, Foster, and Tab.
This includes the following highways...
Interstate 65 between mile markers 179 and 184.
Interstate 74 between mile markers 1 and 20.
PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...
If outdoors, consider seeking shelter inside a building.
A Severe Thunderstorm Watch remains in effect until 600 PM EDT for
west central Indiana.
&&
LAT...LON 4056 8688 4024 8688 3994 8753 4048 8753
4048 8709 4056 8709
TIME...MOT...LOC 1556Z 223DEG 38KT 4048 8746 4000 8747
MAX HAIL SIZE...0.00 IN
MAX WIND GUST...40 MPH
UpdikeSpecial Weather Statement
National Weather Service Indianapolis IN
1224 PM EDT Mon May 18 2026
INZ029-035-036-043>045-181715-
Montgomery IN-Putnam IN-Fountain IN-Parke IN-Vermillion IN-
Tippecanoe IN-
1224 PM EDT Mon May 18 2026
...Strong thunderstorms will impact portions of southern Fountain,
south central Tippecanoe, Parke, Vermillion, western Montgomery and
northwestern Putnam Counties through 115 PM EDT...
At 1223 PM EDT, Doppler radar was tracking strong thunderstorms along
a line extending from near Georgetown to near Vermilion. Movement was
northeast at 50 mph.
HAZARD...Winds in excess of 40 mph.
SOURCE...Radar indicated.
IMPACT...Gusty winds could knock down tree limbs and blow around
unsecured objects.
Locations impacted include...
Crawfordsville, Clinton, Rockville, Veedersburg, Newport, Fairview
Park, Cayuga, Montezuma, Waynetown, Linden, New Market, Dana,
Hillsboro, Kingman, Perrysville, Waveland, Universal, Russellville,
Mecca, and Bloomingdale.
This includes Interstate 74 between mile markers 15 and 35.
PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...
If outdoors, consider seeking shelter inside a building.
A Severe Thunderstorm Watch remains in effect until 600 PM EDT for
west central Indiana.
&&
LAT...LON 4002 8753 4027 8687 3976 8687 3961 8751
3961 8753
TIME...MOT...LOC 1623Z 240DEG 42KT 3997 8755 3965 8754
MAX HAIL SIZE...0.00 IN
MAX WIND GUST...40 MPH
UpdikeSpecial Weather Statement
National Weather Service Indianapolis IN
1244 PM EDT Mon May 18 2026
INZ028-029-035-036-181715-
Montgomery IN-Fountain IN-Warren IN-Tippecanoe IN-
1244 PM EDT Mon May 18 2026
...Strong thunderstorms will impact portions of Fountain, western
Tippecanoe, Warren and northwestern Montgomery Counties through 115
PM EDT...
At 1243 PM EDT, Doppler radar was tracking strong thunderstorms along
a line extending from near Williamsport to 7 miles northeast of
Newport. Movement was northeast at 35 mph.
HAZARD...Wind gusts up to 50 mph.
SOURCE...Radar indicated.
IMPACT...Gusty winds could knock down tree limbs and blow around
unsecured objects.
Locations impacted include...
Lafayette, West Lafayette, Covington, Veedersburg, Williamsport,
Attica, Shadeland, Linden, West Lebanon, Hillsboro, New Richmond,
Wingate, Newtown, Pine Village, Mellott, Purdue University, and
Rainsville.
This includes the following highways...
Interstate 65 between mile markers 179 and 183.
Interstate 74 between mile markers 7 and 23.
PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...
If outdoors, consider seeking shelter inside a building.
A Severe Thunderstorm Watch remains in effect until 600 PM EDT for
west central Indiana.
&&
LAT...LON 4056 8688 4020 8686 3998 8741 4013 8741
4013 8742 4048 8743 4048 8709 4056 8709
TIME...MOT...LOC 1643Z 239DEG 32KT 4034 8731 3996 8732
MAX HAIL SIZE...0.00 IN
MAX WIND GUST...50 MPH
UpdikeSpecial Weather Statement
National Weather Service Indianapolis IN
1252 PM EDT Mon May 18 2026
INZ043-044-051-181715-
Parke IN-Vermillion IN-Vigo IN-
1252 PM EDT Mon May 18 2026
...Strong thunderstorms will impact portions of northern Vigo,
western Parke and Vermillion Counties through 115 PM EDT...
At 1251 PM EDT, Doppler radar was tracking strong thunderstorms along
a line extending from Chrisman to 7 miles east of Marshall. Movement
was northeast at 40 mph.
HAZARD...Wind gusts of 50 to 55 mph.
SOURCE...Radar indicated.
IMPACT...Gusty winds could knock down tree limbs and blow around
unsecured objects.
Locations impacted include...
Terre Haute, Clinton, Newport, West Terre Haute, Fairview Park,
Montezuma, Rosedale, Dana, Universal, Mecca, Fontanet, Blanford,
Shepardsville, Lodi, North Terre Haute, Indiana State University, and
Sandford.
This includes Interstate 70 between mile markers 1 and 6.
PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...
If outdoors, consider seeking shelter inside a building.
A Severe Thunderstorm Watch remains in effect until 600 PM EDT for
west central Indiana.
&&
LAT...LON 3934 8758 3935 8755 3937 8753 3990 8753
3995 8742 3995 8735 3955 8723 3932 8759
TIME...MOT...LOC 1651Z 230DEG 35KT 3978 8767 3944 8755
MAX HAIL SIZE...0.00 IN
MAX WIND GUST...55 MPH
UpdikeSpecial Weather Statement
National Weather Service Indianapolis IN
107 PM EDT Mon May 18 2026
INZ051-060-067-181730-
Knox IN-Vigo IN-Sullivan IN-
107 PM EDT Mon May 18 2026
...Strong thunderstorms will impact portions of south central Vigo
and Sullivan Counties through 130 PM EDT...
At 106 PM EDT, Doppler radar was tracking strong thunderstorms along
a line extending from near Hutsonville to near Flat Rock. Movement
was northeast at 40 mph.
HAZARD...Winds in excess of 40 mph.
SOURCE...Radar indicated.
IMPACT...Gusty winds could knock down tree limbs and blow around
unsecured objects.
Locations impacted include...
Sullivan, Shelburn, Farmersburg, Fairbanks, Carlisle, Merom, Pimento,
Pleasantville, Turtle Creek Reservoir, Graysville, and Paxton.
PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...
If outdoors, consider seeking shelter inside a building.
A Severe Thunderstorm Watch remains in effect until 600 PM EDT for
southwestern and west central Indiana.
&&
LAT...LON 3921 8758 3925 8757 3925 8759 3926 8760
3936 8740 3897 8724 3887 8755 3890 8754
3890 8752 3896 8751 3899 8758 3899 8756
3900 8758 3906 8757 3909 8762 3910 8762
3911 8765 3912 8763 3914 8766
TIME...MOT...LOC 1706Z 239DEG 37KT 3910 8772 3893 8765
MAX HAIL SIZE...0.00 IN
MAX WIND GUST...40 MPH
UpdikeThe Indianapolis radar (KIND), 90 km away, was scanning. The volume nearest the first event began at 17:12 UTC.
10 thunderstorm wind, 9 flood. Local standard time, as filed.
Tree was downed by thunderstorm wind gusts.
Tree was downed by thunderstorm wind gusts.
Powerlines downed by thunderstorm wind gusts.
Three power poles downed by thunderstorm wind gusts.
Large tree downed by thunderstorm wind gusts.
Significant number of trees and powerlines downed in the county.
Several trees and powerlines downed by thunderstorm wind gusts across the county.
A 60 mph thunderstorm wind gust was estimated at this location.
Indianapolis Executive Airport measured a thunderstorm wind gust of 61 mph.
Power lines downed by thunderstorm wind gusts.
State Road 58 near Harting Road has water flowing over the road from heavy rainfall. Total rainfall for the event was around 2 inches.
High water has been reported on State Road 67 in the area of Thompson Road and Coon Hunter Road, southwest of Bruceville, and along with Coon Hunter Road itself. Total rainfall for the event was around 2 inches.
Several areas from Bruceville to Oaktown Road have standing or flowing water from heavy rains. Total rainfall for the event was around 2 inches.
Heavy rain flooded a house. Sandbags were provided due to the rising water. Total rainfall for the event was around 3 inches.
Shallow road flooding and overflow of manhole from heavy rainfall. Total rainfall for the event was around 2 inches.
Flooded roads across the county. Total rainfall for the event was around 2.5 inches.
Flooded roads across the county. Total rainfall for the event was around 2 inches.
Flooded roads across the county. Total rainfall for the event was around 2 inches.
Flooded roads across the county. Total rainfall for the event was around 3 inches.
After NWS Directive 10-1605, the rules offices file Storm Data by.
Every storm in Indiana in 2026Every state in 2026This day in weather historyWarnings in Indiana, May 2026
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: 1328064, 1328065, 1328063, 1328066, 1328067, 1328068, 1328069, 1328070, 1328071, 1328072, 1328073, 1328074, 1328075, 1328076, 1328077, 1328078, 1328079, 1328080, 1328081.