Tornadoes Tear Through Greene and Monroe Counties, Leaving Trail of Destruction in Bloomington

Update 12:11 a.m. – May 17, 2025

As of 6:25 p.m. Friday, the Monroe County Sheriff’s Office reported widespread storm damage across western and southern Monroe County following a series of tornadoes. Emergency personnel from the Sheriff’s Office, Bloomington Police Department, Monroe Fire Protection District, and Indiana University Police Department responded to multiple hard-hit areas, including the Ranchero Motel at 4805 S. Old State Road 37 and the Clear Creek Post Office at 4888 S. Rogers Street—both of which sustained significant damage.

Officials also responded to extensive damage along West State Road 45, Stanford Road, Ison Road, Elwren Road, and Harmony Road. These areas saw downed trees, live power lines, and structural damage. Authorities estimate that approximately 75 homes were damaged, along with the 30-unit Ranchero Motel and a nearby private drive containing eight duplexes.

The Sheriff’s Office confirmed five non-life-threatening storm-related injuries, including a 96-year-old man who was transported by ambulance to IU Health Bloomington Hospital with a head injury. His condition is reported as stable.

Additional deputies were deployed to assist in storm response and to maintain a presence in affected areas where residents may have been displaced. Road conditions continue to be evaluated, with signage being placed to mark closures due to debris and downed utilities.

Those in need of shelter are urged to contact the American Red Cross at 1-800-RED-CROSS.

By The Bloomingtonian Staff
May 16, 2025 – Bloomington, Indiana

A series of tornadoes ripped through Greene and Monroe counties Friday evening, causing destruction, power outages, and injuries as the storms carved paths through communities including near Linton, near Worthington, and the south side of Bloomington.

Just before 8 p.m., a tornado touched down in Greene County, crossing near Linton and Worthington. By 7:30 p.m., at least two tornadoes were reported in Monroe County. One struck near Garrison Chapel Road west of Bloomington, while another carved a destructive path from the area around Abel Road across the city’s south side.

Significant damage was reported along South Walnut Street in Bloomington, where a U.S. Post Office near Clear Creek was reduced to rubble. Nearby apartments, houses, and a hotel—the Economy Inn—were also heavily damaged. Vehicles were tossed across parking lots, and driveways, a billboard twisted into mangled metal, and residential roofs torn off as the twister roared through.

A woman told The Bloomingtonian she was thankful not to have been standing near her picture window when it shattered during the storm. At the post office site, emergency responders from the Monroe Fire Protection District, Monroe County Sheriff’s Office, the Bloomington Police Department and IU Police Department responded quickly. Community members also arrived to assess the damage. Duke Energy cut power to the area, with one worker warning residents to avoid downed lines, which might still be energized.

Along South Rogers Street, downed power lines and debris made the roadway impassable. Police used yellow tape and orange barrier fencing to secure the post office site, a federal facility, following the storm.

Guests of the Economy Inn and nearby residents were seen walking north along South Walnut Street, many dazed. Across the affected areas, shattered windows, flipped cars, and toppled trees marked the tornado’s chaotic passage.

The storms prompted multiple emergency warnings Friday evening, urging residents to seek shelter in interior rooms away from windows:

• Southern Monroe County: Tornado Warning until 7:45 p.m.
• East Central Monroe County: Tornado Warning until 8:15 p.m.
• Northern Monroe County: Tornado Warning until 9:15 p.m.

The Monroe County Sheriff’s Office confirmed five injuries during the storms. One person sustained head trauma and was transported to a hospital. That individual’s condition was not immediately available.

This is a developing story. Updates will be provided as more information becomes available.

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