Blackford County Emergency Management Agency

08/20/2026

🌪 Whats the difference? We saw several cold air funnels yesterday with storms along a stationary boundry. The biggest difference is that cold air funnels do not form from a roatating thunderstorm while actual tornadoes/ tornadic funnel clouds do. Cold air funnels can occasionally reach the ground to become landspouts. Landspouts can cause minor damage. These funnels can form without a strong, rotating storm and are usually weaker. The stationary boundary was key yesterday, providing just enough convergence where rising air began to spin and condense into weak funnel clouds. As a quick reminder, a funnel cloud remains a funnel until the rotation has reached the ground.

However, the tornado warned storm near Muncie Indiana was different because it came from a supercell with a strong, rotating updraft. That organized rotation allowed the storm to produce a mesocyclone (rotating updraft) and maybe even a weak tornado which was not a landspout. This storm interacted with some stronger wind shear along a different boundry which allowed the storm to rotate, not just weak surface winds. This prompted a tornado warning by the National Weather Service.

The main takeaway is rotating thunderstorms vs non-rotating thunderstorms.

08/17/2026

Today will be the last day of the heavy rainfall event from the Midwest to the central Appalachians, with improving conditions expected on Monday. Here are preliminary rainfall totals from the event so far (Monday 8/10 to Sunday 8/16).

For more info see the latest Storm Summary: https://www.wpc.ncep.noaa.gov/discussions/nfdscc5.html

08/17/2026

08/14/2026

Have multiple ways to receive warning and alerts. Download the Blackford County Sheriff's app, stay tuned to local media outlets and the National Weather Service for the latest information on watches and warnings in and around the Blackford County area.

08/13/2026

On behalf of Blackford County, I would like to thank Wells County EMA Director John Petro and the Wells County Commissioners for providing sandbags to support our community.
Their generosity and timely assistance are greatly appreciated. It demonstrates the importance of working together with neighboring counties during times of need. I look forward to building a stronger working relationship with Director Petro as we continue our commitments to public safety.

08/06/2026

The Outdoor Severe Weather Warning System for Blackford Co. will be tested on Friday 8/7/2026, @ 12:00PM. This is a TEST ONLY. No severe weather is anticipated during the test. In the event of Severe Weather, the system test will be postponed until a later date. Estimated Time to complete test: 3 minutes.

06/17/2026

Maybe "good things do come to those who wait" (like we have a choice)
While we aren't completely out of the woods yet, it does appear that the most energetic part of the approaching storm system may pass far south of Blackford Co. But don't let your guard down; stay alert for rapidly changing conditions as the system passes through our area later this evening.

06/17/2026

Update to timing and location of risks. Severe storms likely starting by early evening with all hazards possible, including damaging winds, large hail, and strong tornadoes. The corridor of greatest tornado threat includes much of the I-70 corridor including the Indianapolis Metro Area. The timing of greatest tornado threat is 8 PM to 12 AM. Have a safety plan in place and be ready to act when severe weather is imminent.