The National Weather Service issued a tornado watch at 4:15 p.m. Wednesday until 11 p.m. tonight. The watch covers 28 counties in Indiana, including Monroe County, due to severe weather throughout the night.
A tornado watch is issued when severe thunderstorms are possible, and conditions are severe enough for a tornado to form near the watch area. Severe thunderstorms are defined as winds of 58 mph or higher or hail one inch in diameter or larger.
In the event of a tornado warning, residents should seek shelter immediately on the lowest floor of a building. In events where this is not possible, residents should get to the innermost part of the building away from windows.
According to NWS’ forecast, Monroe County can expect isolated showers and thunderstorms after 5 p.m. and wind gusts as high as 45 mph. New rainfall amounts between 1-2 inches are also possible as storms are expected to last through 3 a.m. Thursday.
Monroe County was also placed under a flood watch Wednesday morning through Sunday morning.
Monroe county residents can monitor the forecast through local weather channels and NWS live trackers.
