Severe Thunderstorms Prompt Urgent Warnings in Indiana

Residents given minutes to seek shelter as storms bring threat of large hail, damaging winds, and possible tornadoes

Published on Mar. 4, 2026

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The National Weather Service issued multiple severe thunderstorm warnings in parts of Indiana on Wednesday morning, urging residents to immediately seek shelter as the storms were expected to bring large hail, damaging winds, and the potential for tornadoes. The warnings gave people in the affected areas just minutes to get to a sturdy building, as severe weather can intensify rapidly, leaving little time to react.

Why it matters

Severe thunderstorms can cause significant property damage, power outages, and pose a serious threat to public safety. This event highlights the importance of heeding weather warnings and being prepared to take shelter quickly when dangerous storms are approaching.

The details

The NWS office in Indianapolis issued two severe thunderstorm warnings, the first at 10:16 a.m. for northern Daviess County, and the second at 10:17 a.m. for northeastern Knox County and west-central Daviess County. The storms were capable of producing quarter-sized hail, which can damage vehicles and roofs, as well as wind gusts of up to 50 mph. Forecasters urged residents in the warned areas to immediately move to an interior room on the lowest floor of a sturdy building.

  • The first severe thunderstorm warning was issued at 10:16 a.m. Eastern time on Wednesday, March 4, 2026.
  • The second severe thunderstorm warning was issued at 10:17 a.m. Eastern time on Wednesday, March 4, 2026.
  • The severe thunderstorm warnings were set to remain in effect until 10:45 a.m. Eastern time on Wednesday, March 4, 2026.

The players

National Weather Service (NWS)

The National Weather Service is the primary source of weather data, forecasts, and warnings for the United States.

Alexander McGinnis

An NWS meteorologist who spoke to Newsweek about the severe thunderstorm threat in Indiana.

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What’s next

The severe thunderstorm threat is expected to decrease throughout the day for Indiana, according to NWS meteorologist Alexander McGinnis.

The takeaway

This event underscores the importance of heeding severe weather warnings and being prepared to take immediate shelter when dangerous storms are approaching. Residents in the affected areas were given just minutes to get to safety, highlighting how rapidly severe thunderstorms can intensify and become a threat to public safety.