Tornado Watch until 8pm; second round of storms making its way to central Indiana

A Tornado Watch continues for central Indiana until 8pm. Large hail up to 1″ diameter, damaging straight-line winds near 60 miles per hour and heavy downpours up to 1″ are likely. There is a threat for tornadoes this evening, mainly south of I-70.

A powerful cold front draped across central Illinois has caused winds in excess of 100 mph eastern Illinois this afternoon. That storm system has spawned gusty storms damaging straight-line winds and flooding rains across western Indiana. A 70 mph gust in Tippecanoe County downed large trees and overturned a semi on southbound I-65, 9 miles north of Battle Ground. As of 5:30 pm, 6 counties have been under tornado warnings for Doppler Radar indicating rotating thunderstorms, so far we’ve had no ground confirmation. 24 counties have been under severe thunderstorm warnings so far.

A stronger line of storms is forming over south central Illinois and will move across Indiana after 5pm. These storms will pose a larger tornado threat through the evening. Now is the time to review your family’s safety plan. The lowest floor in the center of your home is the safest place to go. Bathrooms, hallways or any other place away from windows are best. Also, remember to cover your head from flying debris.

A Tornado Watch continues for central Indiana until 8pm.

The greatest risk for tornadoes will be south of I-70.

A line of strong to severe storms is likely over the next few hours.

Heavy rain will taper off after 9pm.