NWS Confirms Tornado In Marion County

NWS Indianapolis has confirmed a brief tornado touched down on Saturday evening in Indianapolis, just northwest of downtown.  This tornado occurred in association with the remnants of Hurricane Isaac.  The tornado was captured on a tower camera with the touchdown occurring near 16th Street and the White River.  No damage has been reported or observed, but it is likely that this tornado will be rated EF0, and the yearly statistics on the right reflect this assumption. 

NWS Confirms Tornado In LaPorte County

The NWS in North Webster has confirmed an EF1 tornado struck LaPorte county on August 4.  This is the first confirmed tornado in the state in just over 3 months.  The survey is posted below.


PUBLIC INFORMATION STATEMENT 
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE NORTHERN INDIANA
457 PM EDT MON AUG 6 2012 /357 PM CDT MON AUG 6 2012/ 
   
..EF1 TORNADO CONFIRMED IN NORTHEASTERN LAPORTE COUNTY INDIANA  

 
A QLCS MOVING ACROSS NORTHERN INDIANA SPAWNED AN EF1 TORNADO NEAR
ROLLING PRAIRIE ON SATURDAY AUGUST 4TH 2012. THE TORNADO FIRST
TOUCHED DOWN AT APPROXIMATELY 520 PM CDT NEAR THE INTERSECTION OF
SR 2 AND 400E WHERE A FEW TREES FELL ONTO POWER POLES. A FEW
ADDITIONAL TREES WERE BLOWN DOWN AT THE INTERSECTION OF SR2 AND 
450E. A SOUTHEAST-FACING GARAGE DOOR FAILED WHICH ALLOWED WINDS TO 
PENETRATE AND BLOW OUT THE NORTHEAST WALL OF THE GARAGE ALONG THE 
4600 BLOCK OF OAK KNOLL ROAD. THE TORNADO ALSO ROLLED AND DESTROYED
AN UNANCHORED SHED ON THAT PROPERTY. A BARN WAS DESTROYED NORTHEAST 
OF THAT RESIDENCE BEFORE THE TORNADO LIFTED SHORTLY THEREAFTER AT 
APPROXIMATELY 522PM CDT. 


PATH LENGTH: APPROXIMATELY 1 MILE
PATH WIDTH: 20 YARDS 
RATING: EF1

THIS SURVEY DATA IS PRELIMINARY AS THE DAMAGE INVESTIGATION
CONTINUES.  

Fifth Tornado Confirmed From March 2 Outbreak

A fifth tornado has been confirmed as part of the March 2 outbreak.  It was an EF0 that struck near Darmstadt in Vanderburgh county.  The tornado had a path length of approximately 2 miles and resulted in no deaths or injuries.

Spring Tornado Lull - Is The Season Over?

After a quick start to tornado season, we have hit a relative lull.  There were no tornadoes confirmed in April and 4 at the beginning of May.  This begs the question:  will there be any more tornadoes this year?

I reviewed our tornado records for all years from 1950-2011, and it turns out that 62/62 years (that would be 100%) have produced tornadoes after the month of May.  Some of those years produced several tornado days after May.  While it has been rather quiet lately, if history is any guide, there is more to come.    

NWS Confirms Tornado In Clay County

The NWS in Indianapolis has confirmed another tornado, an EF0 near Cory in Clay county.  The tornado touched down briefly in a field and was about 50 yards wide.

The event total now stands at 4. 

NWS Confirms Tornado In Fountain County

The NWS in Indianapolis has confirmed an additional tornado from May 1, a brief EF0 near Yeddo in Fountain county.  This tornado was on the ground for about one tenth of a mile and was 50 yards wide.  Little if any damage occurred.

NWS Confirms Tornado In Franklin County

The National Weather Service in Wilmington, Ohio has confirmed a tornado from Tuesday's storm in Franklin county.


PUBLIC INFORMATION STATEMENT
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE WILMINGTON OH
533 PM EDT WED MAY 2 2012  

 
...TORNADO CONFIRMED NEAR 1/2 MILE ESE MT. CARMEL IN FRANKLIN COUNTY
INDIANA... 

 
LOCATION...1/2 MILE ESE MT. CARMEL IN FRANKLIN COUNTY INDIANA
DATE...MAY 1 2012
ESTIMATED TIME...520 PM EDT
MAXIMUM EF-SCALE RATING...EF1
ESTIMATED MAXIMUM WIND SPEED...95 MPH
MAXIMUM PATH WIDTH...100 YARDS
PATH LENGTH...1.3 MILES
BEGINNING LAT/LON...39.41N / -84.86
ENDING LAT/LON...39.40N / -84.84
* FATALITIES...0
* INJURIES...0

* THE INFORMATION IN THIS STATEMENT IS PRELIMINARY AND SUBJECT TO
CHANGE PENDING FINAL REVIEW OF THE EVENT(S) AND PUBLICATION IN NWS
STORM DATA.
   
..SUMMARY

THE NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE IN WILMINGTON OH HAS CONFIRMED A
TORNADO NEAR 1/2 MILE ESE MT. CARMEL IN FRANKLIN COUNTY INDIANA ON
MAY 1 2012.

SIGNIFICANT DAMAGE OCCURRED TO 3 FARMSTEADS ALONG THE PATH OF THE
TORNADO. THERE WAS DAMAGE TO SEVERAL LARGE BUILDINGS WHICH
CONSISTED PRIMARILY OF ALUMINUM AND WOOD. SEVERAL SMALL SHEDS
WHICH WERE NOT ANCHORED DOWN WERE EITHER BLOWN COMPLETELY OFF
THEIR FOUNDATION OR MOVED FROM THE FOUNDATION. SOME OF THE LARGER BUILDINGS
HAD COLLAPSED WALLS...DOORS BLOWN IN...BROKEN WINDOWS AND LARGE SECTIONS
OF THEIR ROOFS TORN OFF. SEVERAL SILOS WERE SEVERELY DAMAGED.
A NARROW PATH OF WOOD AND METAL DEBRIS EXTENDED ACROSS THE FARM
FIELDS BETWEEN THE FARMSTEADS. EARLY IN THE PATH OF THE TORNADO
YOU COULD SEE METAL DEBRIS WRAPPED AROUND THE BASE OF A HIGH
TENSION WIRE TOWER. SEVERAL TREES 3 TO 6 INCHES IN DIAMETER WERE
SNAPPED AND TWISTED.  

NWS Confirms Tornado In Montgomery County

The NWS in Indianapolis has confirmed that an EF1 tornado struck Montgomery county yesterday evening.  Details are below.

At least one tornado has been confirmed as part of the severe weather that produced flooding rains, hail to golf ball size and areas of wind damage Tuesday afternoon and evening.  The tornado touched down southeast of Crawfordsville near New Ross along County Road 500S between CR625E and CR700E.  From eyewitness Skywarn storm spotters' reports, pictures and videos of the tornado and damage, and from Indianapolis TV stations' damage pictures, the tornado is being rated preliminarily as an EF1 with winds estimated between 100 mph and 110 mph.  The tornado began at approximately 736 pm, was on the ground for about a half mile, and lifted around 737 pm.  The damage rating was based on a destroyed barn, and damaged nearby homes, trees and power poles. 

Tornadoes Reported In Several Counties Today

Several reports of tornadoes have come in today.  As of this writing, tornadoes have been reported in Bartholomew, Fountain and Montgomery counties.  There was also significant wind damage (possible tornado) in Franklin county.  Storm surveys are scheduled for tomorrow and they will be posted as they come in.

Lack Of April Tornadoes This Year

April is winding down and so far there have been no reports of tornadoes in the state.  If this holds up, it would break our string of 3 consecutive months with tornadoes and leave 2012 tied with 1976 as the only years on record with tornadoes in January, February and March. 

Tornado Photo Gallery - 2006 To Present

Here are some tornado pictures from 2006 to present.  More pictures will be added here (and possibly the older photo sections) in the future so be sure to check back from time to time.

Click each image for larger version.

June 25, 2006 - Odell.  Photo by Tanya Snoeberger



June 25, 2006 - Odell.  Photo by Kerri Wagner



April 11, 2007 - near Arcadia.  Photo by David Gorman



April 11, 2007 - near Lizton.  Photo by Rebecca Saylor



June 3, 2008 - Edinburgh.  Photo by Gary Stofer and David Eaton



June 4, 2010 - near Wolcott.  Photo by Ray Allie



May 22, 2011 - near Rensselaer.  Photo by Joann Skinner



May 25, 2011 - near Bedford.  Photo by Stacey Cummings



May 25, 2011 - near Bedford.  Photo by Stacey Cummings



May 25, 2011 - near Bedford.  Photo by Stacey Cummings



March 2, 2012 - near Borden.  Photo by Larry Williams



March 2, 2012 - Henryville.  Photo by Evan Bentley



March 2, 2012 - Henryville.  Photo by Skip Talbot



2012 Preliminary Tornado Count

With the year about 25% over, here are the preliminary tornado statistics from January-March.  This infomation is not finalized and could change.


1/17:  5
2/29:  1
3/2:  4
3/23:  1

Total:  11

Tornadoes In Each Month So Far This Year

This year, tornadoes have occurred in January, February and March.  Since 1950, the only other year that this has happened is 1976.  For what it's worth, no tornadoes were recorded here in April 1976.

NWS Confirms Tornado In Switzerland County

The National Weather Service in Wilmington, OH has confirmed an EF0 tornado in Switzerland county on March 23.  Although no damage occurred, it appears this tornado will be counted in the official statistics.



PUBLIC INFORMATION STATEMENT
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE WILMINGTON OH
424 PM EDT SAT MAR 24 2012 
  

...TORNADO CONFIRMED NEAR CENTER SQUARE IN SWITZERLAND COUNTY
INDIANA...

LOCATION...CENTER SQUARE IN SWITZERLAND COUNTY INDIANA
DATE...03/23/12
ESTIMATED TIME...430 PM EDT
MAXIMUM EF-SCALE RATING...EF0
ESTIMATED MAXIMUM WIND SPEED...UNKNOWN
MAXIMUM PATH WIDTH...UNKNOWN
PATH LENGTH...UNKNOWN 
BEGINNING LAT/LON...38.83 / 85.05W 
ENDING LAT/LON...38.83 / 85.05W
* FATALITIES...0
* INJURIES...0

* THE INFORMATION IN THIS STATEMENT IS PRELIMINARY AND SUBJECT TO
CHANGE PENDING FINAL REVIEW OF THE EVENT(S) AND PUBLICATION IN NWS
STORM DATA. 

  
..SUMMARY

THE NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE IN WILMINGTON OH HAS CONFIRMED A
TORNADO NEAR CENTER SQUARE IN SWITZERLAND COUNTY INDIANA ON
03/23/12.

THERE WAS A PUBLIC REPORT OF A BRIEF TORNADO TOUCHDOWN ABOUT 1.5
MILES WEST OF CENTER SQUARE. BASED ON RADAR...THIS APPEARS TO HAVE
OCCURRED AROUND 430 PM EDT. A SHERIFF DEPUTY REPORTED A TORNADO A
SHORT TIME LATER IN THE VICINITY OF CENTER SQUARE. NO REPORTS OF
DAMAGE HAVE BEEN RECEIVED.  
  

Updated Information On Holton Tornado

There is some new information regarding the March 2 tornado that struck the Holton area.  Here is the updated storm survey.


PUBLIC INFORMATION STATEMENT
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE WILMINGTON OH
347 PM EST FRI MAR 9 2012 
  

...UPDATED INFORMATION ON TORNADO CONFIRMED NEAR HOLTON IN RIPLEY
COUNTY INDIANA... 

 
LOCATION...HOLTON IN RIPLEY COUNTY INDIANA
DATE...MARCH 2 2012
ESTIMATED TIME...353 PM EST
MAXIMUM EF-SCALE RATING...EF3
ESTIMATED MAXIMUM WIND SPEED...145 MPH
MAXIMUM PATH WIDTH...350 YARDS
PATH LENGTH...9 MILES
BEGINNING LAT/LON...39.0667N / -85.4070W
ENDING LAT/LON...39.1127N / -85.2562W
* FATALITIES...2
* INJURIES...6

* THE INFORMATION IN THIS STATEMENT IS PRELIMINARY AND SUBJECT TO
CHANGE PENDING FINAL REVIEW OF THE EVENT(S) AND PUBLICATION IN NWS
STORM DATA. 

  
..SUMMARY

THE NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE IN WILMINGTON OH HAS CONFIRMED AN EF3
TORNADO NEAR HOLTON IN RIPLEY COUNTY INDIANA ON MARCH 2 2012.

THE TORNADO TOUCHED DOWN APPROXIMATELY 0.5 MILES SOUTHWEST OF
HOLTON AS AN EF0 TORNADO. THE TORNADO QUICKLY INTENSIFIED AS IT
APPROACHED THE SOUTHWEST CORNER OF HOLTON REACHING EF1 TO EF2
INTENSITY. THE PATH OF THE TORNADO MOVED NEARLY PARALLEL TO THE
NORTH SIDE OF US50 AS IT MOVED THROUGH HOLTON. MANY OF THE HOMES
AND BUSINESSES EAST OF MARION STREET WERE DAMAGED BY EF2 INTENSITY
WINDS. THE TORNADO STRENGTHENED TO LOW-END EF3 INTENSITY AS IT
MOVED NEAR THE INTERSECTION OF US 50 AND VERSAILLES STREET. AT
THIS POINT TWO FATALITIES OCCURRED IN A MOBILE HOME. SIX INJURIES
WERE ALSO REPORTED IN THE TOWN OF HOLTON.

THIS TORNADO CONTINUED TO THE NORTHEAST FROM THIS POINT...AT
EF2/EF3 INTENSITY DAMAGING HOMES ON SLEEPY ROAD AND OLD MICHIGAN
ROAD. THE TORNADO BEGAN TO DECREASE IN INTENSITY EAST OF OLD
MICHIGAN ROAD AND MAINTAINED EF1 INTENSITY UNTIL IT DISSIPATED
APPROXIMATELY 1 MILE SOUTHEAST OF OSGOOD ON FINKS ROAD. SEVERAL
HOMES AND FARMS HAD MINOR DAMAGE ALONG THE TRACK BETWEEN OLD
MICHIGAN ROAD AND THE END OF THE TORNADO.  

Second Henryville Tornado Confirmed

The NWS in Louisville has confirmed a second tornado - albeit much weaker - struck Henryville shortly after the EF4.  Here are the results of the storm survey.


PUBLIC INFORMATION STATEMENT
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE LOUISVILLE KY
558 PM EST MON MAR 05 2012 
  

...A SECOND TORNADO WITH EF-1 DAMAGE CONFIRMED JUST SOUTH OF THE 
SOUTHERN INDIANA EF-4...

 
DAMAGE TYPE: TORNADO EF-1

       DATE: MAR 02 2012
BEGIN TIME:  3:30 PM EST
   END TIME:  3:36 PM EST

BEGIN POINT: 6 WSW HENRYVILLE
  END POINT: 0.5 E HENRYVILLE

WIND SPEED: MAXIMUM 110 MPH

   INJURIES: 0
FATALITIES: 0

NARRATIVE: 

PHOTOGRAPHS TAKEN DURING A CIVIL AIR PATROL FLIGHT CORROBORATE 
INTERVIEWS WITH RESIDENTS ALONG THE DAMAGE PATH INDICATE THAT THERE 
WERE INTERMITTENT TOUCHDOWNS OF A WEAKER TORNADO WITH THE SECOND 
SUPERCELL TO PASS OVER THE AREA FRIDAY AFTERNOON. 

THE SECOND STORM, WHICH PUMMELED THE RECENTLY DEVASTATED AREA WITH 
HAIL UP TO THE SIZE OF SOFTBALLS, FOLLOWED NEARLY THE SAME PATH AS 
THE FIRST SUPERCELL. AT LEAST THREE LOCATIONS ALONG THE PATH OF THIS
STORM SUPPORT THE OCCURRENCE OF A TORNADO OF EF-1 INTENSITY, WITH 
MAXIMUM WINDS APPROACHING 110 MPH, AN INTERMITTENT PATH LENGTH OF 
6.5 MILES, AND A DAMAGE PATH WIDTH OF 60 YARDS. 

THE FIRST OBSERVED DAMAGE WAS NEAR ROUND KNOB IN THE CLARK STATE 
FOREST. DAMAGE WAS AGAIN OBSERVED ALONG AND WEST OF SPEITH ROAD, 1/4 
OF A MILE NORTH OF HENRYVILLE-BLUE LICK ROAD JUST SOUTHWEST OF 
HENRYVILLE. FINALLY, THE TORNADO LIFTED AFTER DOING DAMAGE FROM THE 
SOUTH SIDE OF HENRYVILLE NEAR ROBYN AVENUE TO THE EAST SIDE OF 
HENRYVILLE AT THE INTERSECTION OF HIGHWAY 60 AND HADDOX ROAD.  

March 2 Southern Indiana EF4 Storm Survey

The NWS in Louisville has posted their findings on the long-track EF4 tornado that struck parts of Washington, Clark, Scott, Jefferson, and Trimble county Kentucky on Friday.  Here is the survey in its entirety.


Begin Time:  2:50 PM EST
End Time:  3:39 PM EST
EF Scale:  EF-4
Maximum wind Speed:  175 mph
Begin Point:  South side of Fredericksburg
End Point:  3 miles NW of Bedford, Kentucky
Path Length:  Approximately 49 miles
Path Width:  One-third to one-half mile maximum (diameter of damage)
Injuries:  Unknown
Fatalities:  11

Narrative:

The tornado first touched down on the south side of Fredericksburg
just south of U.S. 150 where several trees were snapped off. In this
area, winds were estimated to be 90 mph (EF1) with a damage width of
30 yards along the south fork of the Blue Lick River.

Additional tree damage was observed as the tornado moved east-
northeast across farmland. Near the intersection of Horners Chapel
Road and Fredericksburg Road, a high tension metal power structure
was toppled along with numerous trees uprooted and snapped. Here,
damage was estimated as EF2 with 130 mph winds. Along Palmyra Road
near Strickland Road, several trees were snapped with EF1 damage
50-100 yards wide and estimated winds of 100-110 mph. High tension
wires were down and trees snapped along West End Road just north of
Shanks Hill Road.

The tornado then traveled over a ridge and intensified as it hit
State Route 135 at Dutch Creek Road. Here, large chunks of 3-inch
thick asphalt from an approximately 4-by-4-yard section of roadway
was blown 10 to 30 yards into the adjacent grass next to the road.
Just east of Route 135, tremendous tree damage was observed. At this
location, the tornado was estimated to be of EF3 strength with 150
mph winds. The width of the damage path also began to widen,
increasing to 200 yards.

Tree and structural damage was widespread northeast of Route 135 as
the tornado crossed Trainer Lane and then State Road 335 to Robbs
Lane. The width of observable damage increased to one-quarter to
one-third of a mile. Countless trees were snapped and uprooted. The
degree of damage suggested a mix of EF2 and EF3 damage in this area,
with estimated winds of 120-150 mph.

The tornado crossed U.S. 60 just south of New Pekin. Immediately
east of the highway, tremendous structural damage was observed. A
well-constructed and large factory building (Airgo Industries) was
cleared to its foundation slab with numerous anchoring bolts bent in
the direction of the storm. Debris from this building was observed
one-half to three-quarters of a mile downwind. Large power poles
were snapped. Another metal out building on the right periphery of
the damage path had sheeting pulled off the back of the building
apparently from the force of the inbound winds into the tornado.
This was the area where 5 people were tragically killed in a mobile
home. In this location just east of U.S. 60, damage suggested an
EF4 tornado with 170 mph estimated winds, and a width of observed
damage from 0.3-0.4 mile.

Damage continued to the east along and south of Hurst Road in
extreme southeast Washington County. The tornado crossed into
extreme northwest Clark County along and near Daisy Hill Road. In
this area, a well-constructed one-story brick house at the top of a
small ridge was completely destroyed with no walls standing. People
onsite reported that cows were missing and could not be located.
They also stated that the tornado looked like a black wall as it
approached. A heavy trailer cab was blown from this house to another
demolished brick home about one-quarter mile away. Damage here
suggested EF4 damage with 170 mph winds.

As the tornado re-entered Washington County near the intersection of
Daisy Hill Road and Williams Knob Road, widespread damage occurred.
This included a home which was totally leveled as well as a couple
of anchored down double wide trailers. A car was destroyed and
tossed about 100 yards in the direction of storm motion from its
origin at the home. At one of the destroyed trailers, a Dodge Ram
pickup truck was tossed onto its side and destroyed in the opposite
direction from the car (i.e., on the left side of the tornado
track). Here, EF3-EF4 damage was estimated with winds of 150-170
mph. There were also snapped trees and structural damage along
Whiskey Run Road. The width of the observed damage straddling the
Washington-Clark County line was estimated to be one-third to
one-half mile wide, although the width of the most concentrated
damage was narrower. The last observed damage in Washington County
was near S. Flatwood Road in a wooded area before the tornado
entered Clark County.

Across Washington County, particularly east of U.S. 135, thousands
of trees were uprooted and snapped.

The tornado continued east-northeast in far northwest Clark County
on Dan Gray Road where the twister leveled many well-built homes and
caused extensive tree damage. The tornado here was rated EF4 with
estimated wind speeds of 170 mph and a damage width of one-third
mile.

The tornado moved into far southeast Washington County before
reappearing in Clark County. In Clark, the damage width narrowed to
one-quarter mile as the tornado crossed Pixley Knob Road and
decreased in intensity to EF2 with wind speeds of 115-120 mph.

Farther east, the tornado intensified again as it destroyed two
double wide homes on Speith Road. One family residence on the west
side of the road was severely damage reflecting EF3 damage with 150
mph winds.

The tornado crossed Interstate 65 damaging several vehicles and
semis, and closing the interstate for several hours. Several people
were trapped in these vehicles, but were later rescued.

The tornado continued to strengthen just east of Exit 19 of
Interstate 65 in a heavily industrialized area. Here, buildings
containing several businesses were severely damaged. A home was
destroyed on the east side of North Fraucke Road. The violent
tornado also seriously damaged several homes on the north side of
State Highway 160. Here, EF4 damage was apparent with 175 mph
estimated winds.

The tornado then struck the south buildings of the Henryville middle
and high school complex, with severe damage and 170 mph winds (EF4).
The middle school experienced the worst damage. The cafeteria was
completely destroyed. Two school buses were ripped off their
chassis.

There was also extensive structural damage on the east side of
Henryville on North Front Street and Pennsylvania Street. A high
tension tower and other homes were damaged on Pine Drive. Incredible
tree damage also occurred just west of Pine Drive as the tornado
traveled up a ridge. In this region, the tornado was an EF3 with 150
mph winds.

On Brownstown Road, many homes were severely damaged especially on
the north side of the tornado track with estimated speeds of 150 mph
(EF3). Farther east, there was massive deforestation on the east
side of a ridge just west of and along Henryville Otisco Road.
Several more homes were severely damaged along this road. One of
these homes reflected EF4 damage and 170 mph winds.

The tornado rapidly narrowed to a rope-like structure and ended as
an EF1 with 90-95 mph winds and an 80 yard wide path. This occurred
near the intersection of Blackberry Trail and State Highway 3.

Simultaneously, a new tornado vortex rapidly formed near Mahan Road
and Old State Road 3 immediately southwest of the first tornado. The
second tornado began as an EF1 and damaged a church. The vortex
quickly intensified to EF3 strength as it crossed the south part of
the town on Marysville, severely damaging several homes.

A Civil Air Patrol flight on Sunday, March 4 revealed extensive
ground scouring in farmers` fields east of Marysville all the way to
the Jefferson-Scott County line. This scouring was evidence of a
multi-vortex tornado, which was confirmed by multiple videos and
photographs.

Several homes were severely damaged near and south of the
intersection of Nabb New Washington Road and Marysville Nabb Road
(EF3, 150 mph winds, one-third mile damage path width).

The tornado continued north of Barnes Road damaging several clusters
of trees in open country. The tornado intensified east of the
intersection of Kettle Bottom and State Highway 362.

In Scott County, immediately north of Highway 362 molished and thrown downwind several hundred yards, within which
there were 3 fatalities. The garage of this house was destroyed with
one vehicle thrown 30 yards and another tossed 75 yards. A piece of
farm equipment was thrown 200 yards as well. A third well-built
brick home had its roof completely lifted and thrown over 300 yards
downwind. Also, an above ground pool half filled with water was
missing. Wind speeds in the area were estimated at 170-175 mph (EF4)
with a damage width of one-quarter mile.

The tornado tracked to the north of Paynesville and south of Lee
Bottom extensively damaging forests in southern Jefferson County
before crossing the Ohio River into Trimble County, Kentucky. The
damage width narrowed in this area to only a couple hundred
yards.

[KENTUCKY PORTION BELOW]

The tornado crossed the Ohio River from Jefferson
County Indiana and narrowed to about 200 yards wide; however, we are
hopeful to receive an aerial survey to refine this later this week.
The tornado damaged a home on Rogers Road as well as two barns. The
barns were overturned and several trees were knocked down and/or
twisted. This is consistent with high-end EF-1 damage of 105-110 mph
winds.

The tornado then went through a heavily wooded area near the
intersection of Hwy 625 and Hwy 1838 where one more barn was damaged
along with a garage roof with shingle damage. Three single-wide
mobile homes near the intersection of Joyce Mill and Highway 625
(Corn Creek Rd) were destroyed along with extensive tree damage
and downed power lines and poles. This is consistent with high-end
EF-1 damage of 100-105 mph with a path width of 75 yards.

No evidence of damage was observed until Rawlett Lane, where some
trees were snapped or downed. There could have been damage in
between; however, the survey team was unable to access this area.
The tornado once again struck two homes and a single-wide mobile
home on New Hope Ridge Road about two miles west of Hwy 421 on Hwy
2870. This is consistent with low-end EF-1 damage of 90 mph with a
path width of 50 yards.

3 Tornadoes Confirmed So Far

So far, 3 tornadoes have been confirmed from the March 2 outbreak, an EF3 in Ripley county, an EF2 in Posey county and an EF4 in southern Indiana.  Detailed survey information is not yet available for the EF4, but here are the surveys for the other tornadoes.


PUBLIC INFORMATION STATEMENT
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE WILMINGTON OH
542 PM EST SAT MAR 3 2012
    

..TORNADO CONFIRMED NEAR HOLTON IN RIPLEY COUNTY INDIANA


LOCATION...HOLTON IN RIPLEY COUNTY INDIANA
DATE...3/2/2012
ESTIMATED TIME...4:00 PM EST
MAXIMUM EF-SCALE RATING...EF3
ESTIMATED MAXIMUM WIND SPEED...145 MPH
MAXIMUM PATH WIDTH...350 YARDS
PATH LENGTH...10-11 MILES
BEGINNING LAT/LON...39.0827/-85.3497
ENDING LAT/LON...39.1126/-85.2570
* FATALITIES...2
* INJURIES...UNKNOWN

* THE INFORMATION IN THIS STATEMENT IS PRELIMINARY AND SUBJECT TO
CHANGE PENDING FINAL REVIEW OF THE EVENT(S) AND PUBLICATION IN NWS
STORM DATA. 
  
..SUMMARY

THE NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE IN WILMINGTON OH HAS CONFIRMED A
TORNADO NEAR HOLTON IN RIPLEY COUNTY INDIANA ON 3/2/2012.


-----------------------------------------------


  
PUBLIC INFORMATION STATEMENT
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE PADUCAH KY
627 PM CST SAT MAR 3 2012  


..DAMAGE SURVEY RESULTS FOR POSEY COUNTY INDIANA TORNADO  


THE FOLLOWING IS THE PRELIMINARY DAMAGE ASSESSMENT FOR
THE POSEY COUNTY INDIANA TORNADO.

* EVENT TYPE.........EF2 TORNADO

* EVENT DATE.........FRIDAY MARCH 2 2012

* EVENT TIME.........1237 PM CST TO 1243 PM CST BASED ON RADAR

* EVENT LOCATION.....4.5 MILES WEST SOUTHWEST OF WADESVILLE TO
   0.6 MILES EAST NORTHEAST OF BLAIRSVILLE

* PEAK WIND..........125 MPH

* AVG. PATH WIDTH....140 YARDS

* PATH LENGTH........6 MILES

* INJURIES...........NONE 

* FATALITIES.........NONE 

* DAMAGE DETAIL......ONE WOOD FRAME HOUSE DESTROYED SOUTHWEST OF
   WADESVILLE...WITH ROOF COMPLETELY REMOVED AND PART OF SOUTH
   WALL BLOWN OFF. RESIDENT OF HOME AVOIDED INJURY BY TAKING
   SHELTER IN BASEMENT AFTER SEEING DEBRIS IN AIR. THIS WAS
   LOCATION OF PEAK INTENSITY OF TORNADO. EYEWITNESSES OBSERVED A
SWIRLING COLUMN OF DEBRIS BUT NOT A FUNNEL CLOUD. SEVERAL OTHER
   HOMES MODERATELY DAMAGED...WITH WINDOWS BLOWN OUT AND VARYING
   DEGREES OF ROOF DAMAGE. OVER 100 TREES SNAPPED OR
   UPROOTED...INCLUDING 53 AT ONE RESIDENCE ALONE. A FEW GRAIN
   BINS DESTROYED. OIL TANKS BLOWN OVER...WITH AN ASSOCIATED LEAK
   OF CRUDE OIL. SEVERAL EQUIPMENT SHEDS DAMAGED. TWO TO THREE
   GARAGES DESTROYED...INCLUDING A CONCRETE BLOCK GARAGE.   

Henryville Area Tornado Rated EF4 - First Such Tornado Here In Over 13 Years

The tornado which inflicted heavy damage in a swath just north of the Ohio River has been rated EF4, the second strongest level on the Enhanced Fujita scale.  It is the first EF4 tornado in Indiana since June 11, 1998, when a powerful tornado touched down in eastern Marion county and moved into Hancock county.

Significant Tornado Outbreak Strikes Indiana

A very significant tornado outbreak struck the state today, doing the bulk of its damage in southern areas.  While the exact scope of this event is still unknown, it will no doubt be remembered as one of the more significant tornado outbreaks to occur here.

As of this writing, the Indiana death toll stands at 14.  Search and rescue operations continue and it is possible that this number will rise.  As it stands right now, this outbreak is the fourteenth deadliest since 1876.  In terms of fatalities, the only post-1950 outbreaks to surpass this one are 4/11/1965, 4/3/1974, and 11/6/2005 (Evansville tornado).  It is the deadliest daytime tornado event in 38 years.