PORTLAND, Indiana — Residents across Jay County woke up Tuesday morning to an urgent warning they cannot afford to ignore.
A Tornado Warning is in effect for the county until 8:45 AM EDT. If you are in the warned area, now is not the time to watch from a window. Get to the lowest floor of a sturdy building, away from windows, and stay there until the warning expires.
What Radar Is Showing
The warning was issued based on radar data captured at 7:56 AM on Tuesday, August 11. The storm is producing a reflectivity reading of 49 dBZ with confirmed rotation — enough for forecasters to issue a radar-indicated tornado threat.
The storm is moving northeast at 34 mph. Hail up to three-quarters of an inch is also possible with this system as it tracks through the county.
Communities Directly in the Path
The Tornado Warning covers Portland, Bryant, and Salamonia. The storm is also tracking near Fort Recovery and Coldwater to the east.
Communities including Poneto, Montpelier, and Pennville sit near the western edge of the storm’s path. Even if you are on the edge, do not assume you are safe. Tornadoes can shift direction quickly, and warning zones are not hard boundaries.
Two Warnings Active at the Same Time
A Severe Thunderstorm Warning is also running for the same area alongside the Tornado Warning. That storm is carrying a hail threat of up to 1 inch and wind gusts reaching 60 mph.
Two active warnings at once means conditions on the ground are dangerous on multiple fronts. Stay off the roads. Avoid open areas. Keep pets and children indoors.
Part of a Larger Severe Weather Event
This is not an isolated storm. A significant severe weather outbreak is underway across northern Indiana and Ohio, with a wide band of heavy rain and embedded severe cells stretching from Bluffton through Celina and into New Bremen.
The Tornado Warning expires at 8:45 AM EDT, but conditions in the broader region remain active beyond that window. Continue monitoring local emergency alerts even after the warning lifts.
Your safety comes first — stay indoors and wait for the all-clear.
Are you in Jay County right now? Share what you are seeing on the ground in the comments below — your report could help a neighbor make a safer decision.