Strong winds caused damage across parts of Indiana earlier today as a powerful storm system pushed toward the region. Downed trees and power lines were reported in multiple counties, and forecasters warn another round of damaging winds and possible tornadoes could move through central Indiana later tonight.
Earlier wind reports showed just how strong the system already is. Gusts reached 56 mph in Bloomington and Indianapolis, 59 mph in Shelbyville, and 60 mph in Fort Wayne. Those winds were strong enough to bring down trees and power lines across several counties, including Putnam, Monroe, Bartholomew, Delaware, Hancock, Rush, Jay, Ripley, Warrick, and Vanderburgh.
Additional damage was reported in Sullivan, where a carport was damaged, and in La Fontaine, where a tree fell onto a house. As of 9:30 p.m., about 9,000 power outages had already been reported across Indiana, and that number could rise as storms move through overnight.
The winds are being driven by a powerful low pressure system moving through the Midwest. Strong winds several thousand feet above the ground are being pulled down toward the surface, especially when thunderstorms develop along a cold front.
A Tornado Watch has been issued for central Indiana until 3 a.m., although the most intense storms are expected earlier in the evening as a fast moving squall line pushes east across the state…