Jay County Emergency Management

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Governor Mike Braun has declared a state of disaster emergency for 63 Indiana counties, including JAY COUNTY, impacted b...
06/19/2026

Governor Mike Braun has declared a state of disaster emergency for 63 Indiana counties, including JAY COUNTY, impacted by severe weather from June 6 through June 18, 2026.

The Indiana Department of Homeland Security has opened applications to the State Disaster Relief Fund (SDRF) for residents who incurred damage to their homes or property as a result of the flooding, severe weather, tornadic activity and a derecho this month. The SDRF is intended to help with immediate needs. Funds are available for eligible applicants up to $25,000.

Teams from the Indiana Department of Homeland Security are currently completing damage assessments in multiple counties throughout the state. Additional homeowners or jurisdictions may qualify later for financial assistance based on damage assessment data.

The SDRF is not currently accepting applications for the Public Assistance program. Local jurisdictions impacted by eligible disaster events will be notified if Public Assistance becomes available. Learn more about the SDRF: https://www.in.gov/dhs/emergency-management-and-preparedness/state-disaster-relief-fund/

If eligible, apply here for funds from the State Disaster Relief Fund: https://app.smartsheet.com/b/form/1ff14bd335c44c50bae1978f4953fbcd

The State Disaster Relief Fund applies only to individuals who are uninsured or underinsured. State funding cannot replace insurance coverage, which is the primary and best source of protection from storm damage. The fund only addresses the costs of repairing, replacing or restoring property that is the primary residence of the applicant, and cannot be used to help pay insurance deductibles.

**WATCH HAS BEEN CANCELLED**WATCH COUNTY NOTIFICATION FOR WATCH 344NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE NORTHERN INDIANA537 PM EDT W...
06/17/2026

**WATCH HAS BEEN CANCELLED**

WATCH COUNTY NOTIFICATION FOR WATCH 344
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE NORTHERN INDIANA
537 PM EDT WED JUN 17 2026

A TORNADO WATCH HAS BEEN ISSUED FOR JAY COUNTY UNTIL 1 AM THURSDAY.

**OUTDATED POST**A Severe Thunderstorm Watch has been issued for Jay County until 11:00 PM EDT today.
06/16/2026

**OUTDATED POST**
A Severe Thunderstorm Watch has been issued for Jay County until 11:00 PM EDT today.

📣There is an imminent threat of severe weather in Jay County over the next 48 hours. Now is the time to make sure your 📱...
06/16/2026

📣There is an imminent threat of severe weather in Jay County over the next 48 hours. Now is the time to make sure your 📱 mobile devices are up to date and set to receive Wireless Emergency Alerts (WEA).

❓What is WEA?
The Wireless Emergency Alert (WEA) is a system that broadcasts public safety messages (like Tornado Warnings) to people’s phones based on location.

❓How do you make sure Emergency Alerts are enabled?
For Apple iPhones:
• Tap “Settings” > “Notifications”
• Scroll to the bottom of the screen to get to “Government Alerts.”
• Under “Government Alerts” tap the switch next to “Public Safety Alerts” to turn them ON or OFF. The circle should be on the right-hand side of the switch, and the switch should turn green.
• Also, under “Government Alerts,” tap “Emergency Alerts.” For older phones, this will simply turn Emergency Alerts ON. For newer phones, this will take you to another menu. Here you can turn Emergency Alerts and Sound.
• Some iPhones have an "Always Deliver” option. Make sure “Always Deliver” is on.

For Android Phones:
The exact steps vary by Android manufacturer:
• We recommend that you use the search function in “Settings” to find “Wireless Emergency Alerts” or “Public Safety Messages." You may have to click the three dots in the upper right-hand corner of the screen, click settings and click alert types.
• If you can’t find “Emergency Alerts” by searching in “Settings,” try searching for “Emergency Alerts” in the text message app, instead. You may have to click the three dots in the upper right-hand corner of the screen, click settings and click alert types.
• Once in the “Wireless Emergency Alerts” menu, make sure all alerts are turned ON (i.e. “Extreme Threats," “Severe Threats,” and “Public Safety Messages”). The circle should be on the right-hand side of the switch.

🚨 WEATHER SAFETY REMINDER FOR JAY COUNTY RESIDENTS 🚨As severe weather season continues, we want to remind everyone about...
06/15/2026

🚨 WEATHER SAFETY REMINDER FOR JAY COUNTY RESIDENTS 🚨

As severe weather season continues, we want to remind everyone about Outdoor Warning Sirens in Jay County.

Remember, outdoor warning sirens are designed to alert people who are OUTDOORS. Do not rely on sirens as your primary method of receiving weather warnings indoors.

🔊 Each city/town has activation criteria for when their siren(s) are activated, not all are the same.

⚠️ Some sirens are programmed to sound for a certain period of time when activated, do not assume when the siren stops that the threat is over.

If you hear a siren:
âś… Seek shelter immediately
âś… Monitor reliable weather information sources
âś… Stay informed of changing conditions

📱 Have multiple ways to receive alerts:
• RAVE countywide alert messaging
• NOAA Weather Radio
• Trusted weather apps
• Local media
• Wireless Emergency Alerts on your mobile phone

Being prepared and staying informed can save lives. Stay weather aware, Jay County!

06/15/2026

On or after Monday, June 15, State Road 28 will close from 7 a.m. to 5 p.m. between C.R. 200 W. and Old Indiana 28 for a culvert replacement near Ridgeville.

On or after Tuesday, June 16, State Road 67 will close from 7 a.m. to 5 p.m. between C.R. 300 S. and C.R. 400 W. for a culvert replacement near Portland.

Both replacements are expected to take one day, weather permitting.

🌪 Balbec, IN Tornado- June 11, 2026Rating: EF0Estimated Peak Wind: 80 mphPath Length /statute/: 1.14 milesPath Width /ma...
06/13/2026

🌪 Balbec, IN Tornado- June 11, 2026

Rating: EF0
Estimated Peak Wind: 80 mph
Path Length /statute/: 1.14 miles
Path Width /maximum/: 75 yards
Fatalities: 0
Injuries: 0

Start Date: 06/11/2026
Start Time: 11:00 PM EDT
Start Location: 1 SSW Balbec / Jay County / IN
Start Lat/Lon: 40.5144 / -85.1644

End Date: 06/11/2026
End Time: 11:02 PM EDT
End Location: Balbec / Jay County / IN
End Lat/Lon: 40.5256 / -85.1486

Survey Summary:
Drone footage provided by Jay County Emergency Management confirmed a brief EF-0 tornado occurred within a line of severe thunderstorms across northwest Jay County. The tornado began just south of 550 N where a barn had the roof blown off. There was also some roof damage to a nearby house and several trees were snapped off. Debris was lofted well northeast into the nearby fields. Debris was observed all the way to State Road 1 where additional minor tree and roof damage was observed. The tornado dissipated shortly after crossing State Road 1.

EF Scale: The Enhanced Fujita Scale classifies tornadoes into the following categories:

EF0.....65 to 85 mph
EF1.....86 to 110 mph
EF2.....111 to 135 mph
EF3.....136 to 165 mph
EF4.....166 to 200 mph
EF5.....>200 mph

NOTE: The information in this statement is preliminary and subject to change pending final review of the events and publication in NWS Storm Data.

📢 Request to Report Damage If you have damage to your home, property, trees, or other structures in Jay County, use the ...
06/12/2026

📢 Request to Report Damage

If you have damage to your home, property, trees, or other structures in Jay County, use the damage reporting form https://forms.office.com/r/aih46AbaxR or call 260-726-6908 and leave a voicemail.

Residents should not put themselves in danger and stay away from power lines, damaged structures, and flood waters.

We ask you to please respect those who have damage and avoid unnecessary travel in those areas.

Jay County EMA requests residents report any storm damage from Thursday night's storm.If you have damage to your home, p...
06/12/2026

Jay County EMA requests residents report any storm damage from Thursday night's storm.

If you have damage to your home, property, trees, or other structures, please use the damage reporting form https://forms.office.com/r/aih46AbaxR or call 260-726-6908 and leave a voicemail.

These damage reports help us assess the damage and provide the information to the National Weather Service.

Residents should not put themselves in danger and stay away from power lines, damaged structures, and flooded roadways.

Address

224 West Water Street
Portland, IN
47371

Telephone

+12607266908

Website

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