Bartholomew County Emergency Management

06/23/2026

Unfortunately, due to a water main break there are a few residents who will be under a boil advisory until Thursday. This is a precaution for your safety and only for drinking water and cooking water. If you have any questions the utility department will be able to be reached between 8am and 5pm. Please call 812-546-5469.
Thank you

06/23/2026

Please see the Damage Survey results from the June 21 EF0 tornado in Bartholomew County. The information in this statement is preliminary and subject to change pending final review of the events and publication in NWS Storm Data. https://partnerservices.nws.noaa.gov/products/cache/174-2026/PNSIND/33c1f69288dede5fc77d3217b7472b98

06/23/2026

When severe weather threatens, do you know how you'll receive a tornado warning? Many people rely on outdoor warning sirens, but sirens are designed to alert those who are outdoors and should never be your only source of emergency information.

In our latest article, we discuss tornado safety, where to shelter during a warning, special considerations for mobile home residents, and why having multiple ways to receive alerts is critical. We also discuss Bartholomew County's transition to CodeRED and how you can sign up to receive emergency notifications directly on your phone.

Preparedness starts before the storm. Take a few minutes to learn how warnings work and make sure you and your family are ready when severe weather strikes. 🌪️

What every Bartholomew County resident should know about tornado safety

06/22/2026

Damage Assessment Summary
Location: 450 N / 110 W, Bartholomew County, Indiana
Reference: Area aligns with the debris signature observed on radar during the evening of June 22, 2026. The location is situated north of Columbus, east of US 31, and west-northwest of the Columbus Municipal Airport.

A ground survey was conducted by EMA in the vicinity of 450 N and 110 W to assess potential storm damage associated with the radar-indicated debris signature from the night of June 21st. Damage was observed primarily along a wooded tree line north of 450 N and within adjacent agricultural fields.

The western portion of the damage area contained a small break in a tree located along the southern edge of a wooded area. Tree limbs were scattered into the agricultural field north of 450 N, extending toward a second tree line. At the western end of this tree line, one tree was downed and oriented toward the west-southwest. Several smaller trees immediately east of this location exhibited broken limbs and minor damage.

Additional tree damage was identified within the same wooded area. One tree was uprooted and lying toward the north-northwest. At the eastern end of the tree line, two large trees were downed with breaks occurring at or near the base. One tree was oriented toward the north, while the second was oriented toward the north-northwest. Further evidence of damage was noted within the interior of the wooded area, where one tree on the east-southeast side of the wood line exhibited signs of topping.

In the agricultural field located south of 450 N, between US 31 and 110 W, a substantial area of flattened corn was observed. The affected corn was primarily laid toward the north and north-northeast, consistent with the direction of nearby tree fall.

A residence located on the east side of 110 W adjacent to the damage area did not exhibit any visible structural damage. A nearby barn had areas of missing metal roofing; however, the condition appeared weathered and may be attributable to pre-existing damage rather than the most recent storm event.

Overall, damage in the area was sporadic and primarily limited to trees and agricultural impacts. The information and supporting photographs have been uploaded to the National Weather Service Indianapolis office for review. At the time of this report, National Weather Service survey teams are conducting damage assessments in Owen, Sullivan, and Martin Counties and are uncertain whether they will be able to complete a survey in Bartholomew County today. Emergency Management will accommodate the National Weather Service's availability and provide assistance during any future survey operations within the county.

Based on the currently observed damage, additional assessment by the National Weather Service may be warranted to determine whether the damage pattern is consistent with straight-line winds or localized rotation associated with the radar-indicated debris signature.

06/22/2026

6/22/26 @ 1:40 PM Update

Water has receded from roadways. No closures due to high water or downed lines at this time.

Please remember:

❌ Do NOT drive through flooded roadways.
🚗 Turn Around, Don't Drown.

06/22/2026

**EXPIRED**

Flash Flood Warning
National Weather Service Indianapolis IN
909 PM EDT Sun Jun 21 2026

The National Weather Service in Indianapolis has issued a

* Flash Flood Warning for...
Central and southern Bartholomew County in central Indiana...

* Until midnight EDT tonight.

* At 909 PM EDT, Doppler radar indicated thunderstorms producing
heavy rain across the warned area. Between 1.5 and 3.25 inches of
rain have fallen. Additional rainfall amounts of 0.25 to 1.5
inches are possible in the warned area. Flash flooding is already
occurring.

HAZARD...Flash flooding caused by thunderstorms.

SOURCE...Radar.

IMPACT...Flash flooding of small creeks and streams, urban
areas, highways, streets and underpasses as well as
other poor drainage and low-lying areas.

* Some locations that will experience flash flooding include...
Columbus, Elizabethtown, Jonesville, Azalia, Waymansville and
Newbern.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

Turn around, don't drown when encountering flooded roads. Most flood deaths occur in vehicles.

Be especially cautious at night when it is harder to recognize the
dangers of flooding.

&&

LAT...LON 3924 8587 3924 8574 3916 8576 3905 8589
3905 8608 3906 8608 3909 8608 3910 8608
3911 8608 3923 8592

FLASH FLOOD...RADAR INDICATED

06/22/2026

**EXPIRED**

Bartholomew IN-Jackson IN-Jennings IN-
842 PM EDT Sun Jun 21 2026
..FLOOD ADVISORY IN EFFECT UNTIL MIDNIGHT EDT TONIGHT...

* WHAT...Flooding caused by excessive rainfall is expected.

* WHERE...Bartholomew County in central Indiana...
Northeastern Jackson County in south central Indiana...
Northwestern Jennings County in southeastern Indiana...

* WHEN...Until midnight EDT tonight.

* IMPACTS...Minor flooding in low-lying and poor drainage areas.

* ADDITIONAL DETAILS...
- At 842 PM EDT, trained weather spotters reported heavy rain
in the advisory area due to thunderstorms. Minor flooding is
already occurring. Between 0.5 and 2.5 inches of rain have
fallen.
- Additional rainfall amounts of 0.75 to 2.5 inches are
expected over the area. This additional rain will result in
minor flooding.
- Some locations that will experience flooding include...
Columbus, Elizabethtown, Hartsville, Jonesville, Azalia,
Grammer, Newbern and Waymansville.
- http://www.weather.gov/safety/flood

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

Turn around, don't drown when encountering flooded roads. Most flood deaths occur in vehicles.

Be especially cautious at night when it is harder to recognize the
dangers of flooding.

06/22/2026

**EXPIRED**

Severe Thunderstorm Warning
National Weather Service Indianapolis IN
825 PM EDT Sun Jun 21 2026

The National Weather Service in Indianapolis has issued a

* Severe Thunderstorm Warning for...
Southern Shelby County in central Indiana...
Southern Rush County in central Indiana...
Decatur County in central Indiana...
Northeastern Bartholomew County in central Indiana...
Northern Jennings County in southeastern Indiana...

* Until 915 PM EDT.

* At 825 PM EDT, severe thunderstorms were located along a line
extending from 8 miles south of Shelbyville to 10 miles east of
Columbus, moving east at 35 mph.

HAZARD...60 mph wind gusts.

SOURCE...Radar indicated.

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

* Locations impacted include...
Columbus, Greensburg, Adams, Hope, Flat Rock, Milford, Westport,
Geneva, St. Paul, Hartsville, Milroy, Millhousen, Clarksburg,
Letts, Burney, Newbern, Waldron, Moscow, Grammer, and Newpoint.

This includes Interstate 74 between mile markers 121 and 144.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

Remain alert for a possible tornado! Tornadoes can develop quickly
from severe thunderstorms. If you spot a tornado go at once into the
basement or small central room in a sturdy structure.

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

A Tornado Watch remains in effect until midnight EDT for central and
southeastern Indiana.

&&

LAT...LON 3920 8544 3908 8544 3907 8579 3945 8588
3952 8530 3927 8530
TIME...MOT...LOC 0025Z 260DEG 30KT 3941 8579 3916 8573

TORNADO...POSSIBLE
HAIL THREAT...RADAR INDICATED
MAX HAIL SIZE...

06/22/2026

**EXPIRED**

Tornado Warning
National Weather Service Indianapolis IN
814 PM EDT Sun Jun 21 2026

The National Weather Service in Indianapolis has issued a

* Tornado Warning for...
South central Shelby County in central Indiana...
West central Decatur County in central Indiana...
Northern Bartholomew County in central Indiana...

* Until 900 PM EDT.

* At 814 PM EDT, a severe thunderstorm capable of producing a tornado
was located near Columbus, moving east at 15 mph.

HAZARD...Tornado.

SOURCE...Radar indicated rotation.

IMPACT...Flying debris will be dangerous to those caught without
shelter. Mobile homes will be damaged or destroyed.
Damage to roofs, windows, and vehicles will occur. Tree
damage is likely.

* Locations impacted include...
Columbus, Hope, Hartsville, Clifford, Newbern, and Taylorsville.

This includes Interstate 65 between mile markers 69 and 77.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

TAKE COVER NOW! Move to a basement or an interior room on the lowest
floor of a sturdy building. Avoid windows. If you are outdoors, in a
mobile home, or in a vehicle, move to the closest substantial shelter
and protect yourself from flying debris.

&&

LAT...LON 3920 8597 3931 8602 3939 8570 3925 8564
TIME...MOT...LOC 0014Z 252DEG 13KT 3926 8593

TORNADO...RADAR INDICATED
MAX HAIL SIZE...

06/21/2026

**EXPIRED**

Tornado Warning
National Weather Service Indianapolis IN
755 PM EDT Sun Jun 21 2026

The National Weather Service in Indianapolis has issued a

* Tornado Warning for...
Northeastern Brown County in south central Indiana...
Northwestern Bartholomew County in central Indiana...

* Until 815 PM EDT.

* At 754 PM EDT, a severe thunderstorm capable of producing a tornado was located near Nashville, or 13 miles west of Columbus, moving
east at 35 mph.

HAZARD...Tornado.

SOURCE...Radar indicated rotation.

IMPACT...Flying debris will be dangerous to those caught without
shelter. Mobile homes will be damaged or destroyed.
Damage to roofs, windows, and vehicles will occur. Tree
damage is likely.

* Locations impacted include...
Columbus, Nashville, Edinburgh, Gnaw Bone, and Taylorsville.

This includes Interstate 65 between mile markers 68 and 77.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

TAKE COVER NOW! Move to a basement or an interior room on the lowest floor of a sturdy building. Avoid windows. If you are outdoors, in a
mobile home, or in a vehicle, move to the closest substantial shelter
and protect yourself from flying debris.

&&

LAT...LON 3930 8623 3935 8601 3935 8595 3919 8590
3918 8620
TIME...MOT...LOC 2354Z 260DEG 31KT 3926 8615

TORNADO...RADAR INDICATED
MAX HAIL SIZE...