Bartholomew County Emergency Management

08/31/2026

1251 PM EDT Mon Aug 31 2026
..HEAT ADVISORY IN EFFECT FROM 2 PM TUESDAY TO 8 PM EDT THURSDAY...

* WHAT...Peak heat index values up to 105 are expected each afternoon with limited relief from the heat and humidity overnight.

* WHERE...Portions of central, east central, north central, south
central, southeast, southwest, and west central Indiana.

* WHEN...From 2 PM Tuesday to 8 PM EDT Thursday.

* IMPACTS...Hot temperatures and high humidity may cause heat
illnesses.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

Drink plenty of fluids, limit time outdoors, and check up on
relatives and neighbors.

08/31/2026

☀️ HEAT & HUMIDITY BUILDING THIS WEEK ☀️

The heat will continue to build as we head into the week, with high temperatures reaching the mid-90s by Wednesday.

🥵 Heat index values are expected to approach 100°F Tuesday through Thursday, making it feel even hotter when outdoors.

As temperatures climb:

💧 Stay Hydrated – Drink plenty of water throughout the day, even if you don’t feel thirsty.
❄️ Stay Cool – Take frequent breaks in air-conditioned or shaded areas.
🕐 Limit Outdoor Activity – When possible, avoid strenuous outdoor activities during the hottest part of the day.
👥 Check on Others – Check on family, friends, neighbors, and others who may be especially vulnerable to the heat.
🚗 Look Before You Lock – Never leave children or pets unattended in a vehicle, even for a short time.
🐾 Protect Your Pets – Provide plenty of fresh water and shade, limit exercise during the hottest part of the day, and remember that hot pavement can quickly burn paws.

📅 Plan ahead, especially if you work outdoors, have outdoor activities scheduled, or care for people or pets who may be more vulnerable to extreme heat.

Stay cool. Stay hydrated. Stay safe! ☀️

08/29/2026

☀️ HEAT & HUMIDITY RETURNING NEXT WEEK ☀️

With hot temperatures and increasing humidity returning next week, now is a good time to review heat safety information and make plans to stay safe.

Excessive heat is one of the leading weather-related causes of death, but heat-related illnesses and deaths are preventable. Taking a few simple precautions can make a big difference.

🌡️ As temperatures and humidity increase, keep these heat safety tips in mind:

💧 Stay Hydrated – Drink plenty of water throughout the day, even if you don’t feel thirsty.

❄️ Stay Cool – Spend time in air-conditioned locations and limit strenuous outdoor activity during the hottest part of the day.

👕 Dress for the Heat – Wear lightweight, loose-fitting, light-colored clothing.

👥 Check on Others – Check on older adults, young children, neighbors, and others who may be especially vulnerable to the heat.

🚗 Look Before You Lock – Never leave children or pets unattended in a vehicle, even for a short time.

📅 Plan Ahead – Adjust outdoor activities when possible and plan for shade, hydration, and frequent breaks.

⚠️ Know the Signs – Heat-related illness can develop quickly. Pay attention to symptoms such as heavy sweating, dizziness, headache, nausea, weakness, or confusion, and take action if someone begins showing signs of heat illness.

☀️ The heat isn't here yet, but now is the time to plan and prepare.

Stay weather aware as we get closer to next week, and watch for additional information and updates from Bartholomew County Emergency Management.

Be prepared. Be safe. Beat the heat!

08/27/2026

750 AM EDT Thu Aug 27 2026
..PATCHY DENSE FOG THIS MORNING...

Patchy dense fog, reducing visibilities to 1/4 of a mile or less, will be around the area through 900 AM. If you encounter dense fog, reduce your speed and use low beam head lights. Allow extra time to reach your destination.

08/27/2026

**EXPIRED**

Severe Thunderstorm Warning
National Weather Service Indianapolis IN
912 PM EDT Wed Aug 26 2026

The National Weather Service in Indianapolis has issued a

* Severe Thunderstorm Warning for...
Southeastern Brown County in south central Indiana...
Southwestern Bartholomew County in central Indiana...
Lawrence County in south central Indiana...
Jackson County in south central Indiana...

* Until 1015 PM EDT.

* At 912 PM EDT, severe thunderstorms were located along a line
extending from 12 miles southeast of Nashville to 16 miles west of
Brownstown to near Bedford, moving southeast at 20 mph.

HAZARD...60 mph wind gusts and penny size hail.

SOURCE...Radar indicated.

IMPACT...Expect damage to roofs, siding, and trees.

* Locations impacted include...
Seymour, Bedford, Brownstown, Mitchell, Crothersville, Oolitic,
Medora, Norman, Heltonville, Waymansville, Freetown, Tunnelton,
Bartlettsville, Vallonia, Spurgeons Corner, Williams, Avoca,
Pleasant View, Spring Mill State Park, and Elkinsville.

This includes Interstate 65 between mile markers 37 and 39.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

For your protection move to an interior room on the lowest floor of a
building.

Torrential rainfall is occurring with these storms, and may lead to
flash flooding. Do not drive your vehicle through flooded roadways.

HAIL THREAT...RADAR INDICATED
MAX HAIL SIZE...0.75 IN
WIND THREAT...RADAR INDICATED
MAX WIND GUST...60 MPH

08/27/2026

**EXPIRED**

Severe Thunderstorm Warning
National Weather Service Indianapolis IN
819 PM EDT Wed Aug 26 2026

The National Weather Service in Indianapolis has issued a

* Severe Thunderstorm Warning for...
Southern Shelby County in central Indiana...
Northeastern Brown County in south central Indiana...
Southern Johnson County in central Indiana...
Northern Bartholomew County in central Indiana...

* Until 900 PM EDT.

* At 819 PM EDT, severe thunderstorms were located along a line
extending from near Franklin to 12 miles northeast of Nashville,
moving east at 30 mph.

HAZARD...60 mph wind gusts.

SOURCE...Radar indicated.

IMPACT...Expect damage to roofs, siding, and trees.

* Locations impacted include...
Columbus, Shelbyville, Franklin, Edinburgh, Whiteland, Hope, Flat
Rock, Princes Lakes, Geneva, Trafalgar, Elizabethtown, Clifford,
Peoga, Newbern, Waldron, Marietta, and Taylorsville.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

For your protection move to an interior room on the lowest floor of a
building.

HAIL THREAT...RADAR INDICATED
MAX HAIL SIZE...

08/27/2026

**EXPIRED**

Brown IN-Owen IN-Morgan IN-Bartholomew IN-Greene IN-Jackson IN-
Monroe IN-
812 PM EDT Wed Aug 26 2026
..Strong thunderstorms will impact portions of Monroe, southeastern
Morgan, Brown, west central Bartholomew, southeastern Owen,
northeastern Greene and northwestern Jackson Counties through 915 PM
EDT...

At 811 PM EDT, Doppler radar was tracking strong thunderstorms along
a line extending from 9 miles northwest of Nashville to near
Bloomington to near Spencer. Movement was south at 25 mph.

HAZARD...Wind gusts up to 50 mph.

SOURCE...Radar indicated.

IMPACT...Gusty winds could knock down tree limbs and blow around
unsecured objects.

Locations impacted include...
Bloomington, Columbus, Spencer, Nashville, Ellettsville, Morgantown,
Stinesville, Smithville, Lake Lemon, Beanblossom, Gnaw Bone, Freedom,
Spurgeons Corner, Monroe Reservoir, Woodville Hills, Elkinsville,
Charles Deam Wilderness, Stone Head, Story, and Unionville.

This includes Interstate 65 between mile markers 65 and 69.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

If outdoors, consider seeking shelter inside a building.

Torrential rainfall is also occurring with these storms and may lead
to localized flooding. Do not drive your vehicle through flooded
roadways.

MAX HAIL SIZE...0.00 IN
MAX WIND GUST...50 MPH

08/27/2026

**EXPIRED**

Johnson IN-Brown IN-Morgan IN-Bartholomew IN-Shelby IN-
808 PM EDT Wed Aug 26 2026
..Strong thunderstorms will impact portions of southwestern Shelby,
southeastern Morgan, northeastern Brown, Johnson and northwestern
Bartholomew Counties through 900 PM EDT...

At 808 PM EDT, Doppler radar was tracking strong thunderstorms along
a line extending from near Franklin to 11 miles north of Nashville.
Movement was southeast at 25 mph.

HAZARD...Wind gusts up to 50 mph.

SOURCE...Radar indicated.

IMPACT...Gusty winds could knock down tree limbs and blow around
unsecured objects.

Locations impacted include...
Columbus, Shelbyville, Franklin, Edinburgh, Whiteland, Bargersville,
Flat Rock, Princes Lakes, Trafalgar, Morgantown, Clifford, Peoga,
Marietta, Spearsville, and Taylorsville.

This includes Interstate 65 between mile markers 69 and 93.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

If outdoors, consider seeking shelter inside a building.

MAX HAIL SIZE...0.00 IN
MAX WIND GUST...50 MPH

08/26/2026

Road Closure Announcement:

Washington Street between 10th and 11th streets will close at 7 a.m. Wednesday, Aug. 26, for a water service line repair by Columbus City Utilities. The affected travel area is denoted below in red.

The intersection of 11th and Washington streets will remain open.

08/25/2026

New Substack Article: Helping After a Disaster: Making Your Support Count 🤝

Recent flooding and severe storms across Indiana have reminded us how quickly communities can come together when disaster strikes. Our latest article highlights meaningful ways to help and support community recovery after a disaster.

📖 Read the full article:

Understanding disaster donations, volunteering, and the many ways you can support a community during recovery.