INDIANAPOLIS, Indiana — Dangerous storms are tracking across Indiana right now, and forecasters are not taking this one lightly.
A Severe Thunderstorm Watch is in effect until 5 PM ET Tuesday, covering a wide corridor stretching from the Chicago area east through South Bend, Fort Wayne, Kokomo, Muncie, and Indianapolis — all the way toward Dayton, Columbus, and Cincinnati.
The Biggest Threat: Wind That Can Do Serious Damage
The primary concern with this storm system is wind.
Gusts up to 80 mph are considered likely as the storm complex moves through the watch area. That is strong enough to bring down trees, snap power lines, and cause significant structural damage.
This is not a minor wind event. Forecasters are treating it as one of the more serious wind-driven weather threats of the day.
Hail and Tornadoes Are Also on the Table
On top of the wind, hail up to 2 inches in diameter is expected — roughly the size of a golf ball.
A couple of tornadoes are also possible as storms continue to organize while tracking eastward through the region.
These Four Indiana Cities Are Most at Risk
Forecasters have specifically called out Indianapolis, Fort Wayne, South Bend, and Muncie as the most impacted areas.
Radar captured Tuesday morning showed an organized line of storms already pushing through northern and central Indiana toward these cities.
Do Not Wait to See How Bad It Gets
If you are in the watch area, now is the time to act — not when the sirens go off.
Stay indoors, move away from windows, charge your devices, and keep weather alerts turned on. If you lose power, stay clear of downed lines and do not assume roads are safe.
Are you in the storm’s path right now? Let others know what you’re seeing on the ground in the comments.