11 a.m. update
The National Weather Service in Indianapolis has issued a flood warning for Bartholomew, Decatur, Johnson, Shelby and southern Rush County.
Also the warning is issued for northeastern Brown County and northern Jennings County.
The warning is in effect until 4:30 p.m. today.
3 P.M. UPDATE:
The National Weather Service in Indianapolis has issued a Flash Flood Watch for portions of central Indiana, east central Indiana, south central Indiana, southeast Indiana and west central Indiana, including the following areas, in central Indiana:
Bartholomew, Boone, Decatur, Hamilton, Hancock, Hendricks,
Johnson, Madison, Marion, Morgan, Rush and Shelby. In east central
Indiana, Delaware, Henry and Randolph. In south central Indiana,
Brown, Jackson and Monroe. In southeast Indiana, Jennings. In west
central Indiana, Clay, Fountain, Montgomery, Owen, Parke, Putnam,
Vermillion and Vigo.
The watch is in effect from 8 p.m. Friday through Saturday morning.
Multiple waves of showers and thunderstorms are expected to develop this evening and continue overnight. An estimated 1 to 3 inches of rain is expected by Saturday morning with locally higher amounts.
11:30 A.M. UPDATE
Bartholomew County Emergency Management has completed a conference call with the National Weather Service and provided the following update on weather conditions.
Heat index values of 100 to 105 degrees are forecast for today, followed by afternoon and evening storms. Temperatures as far as heat index will fall into the 90s once storms move in.
All of Bartholomew County is now in the “enhanced risk” category for severe weather.
The storms are expected to arrive in two rounds.
The first will be 5 to 11 p.m. tonight, with localized heavy rain, wind swaths of 70 mph, hevy lightning, large hail and the potential for a tornado.
The second round will be 11 p.m. Friday to 5 a.m. Saturday, with heavy rain and possible flooding overnight for Bartholomew County. Rainfall of 1.5 to 2 inches is predicted. There is potential for high wind, heavy lightning, hail, and a tornado in the overnight hours, according to the National Weather Service.
Now is the time to ensure that you have multiple ways to be alerted during these storms, especially during the overnight hours. Check your batteries and ensure that your cell phones are charged.
ORIGINAL STORY
COLUMBUS, Ind. — Bartholomew County Emergency Management is warning that weather conditions this afternoon will be dangerous for those susceptible to heat-related illness.
A warm front will move east across central Indiana this morning.
A hot and humid air mass in the wake of the front will result in afternoon temperatures in the 90s and dew point temperatures in the lower 70s. This will result in heat index values 100 to
105 degrees this afternoon, highest across the Wabash Valley.
If you have outdoor activities planned for today, be sure to take precautions to guard against heat related illness. Drink plenty of water, wear light weight light colored clothing, and take
frequent breaks in an air conditioned environment when possible, according to Shannan Cooke, emergency management director.
