Severe Storms Batter Northeast Indiana, Northwest Ohio

Damaging winds, large hail, and possible tornadoes leave widespread destruction in their wake.

Mar. 27, 2026 at 8:33am

Got story updates? Submit your updates here. ›

Powerful storms swept through northeast Indiana, northwest Ohio, and southern Michigan on March 27, 2026, bringing destructive winds, large hail, and potential tornado activity. Wind gusts reached up to 60 mph in Convoy, Ohio and 50 mph in Van Wert, Ohio, with the Fort Wayne International Airport recording 43 mph gusts. Hail as large as 2.75 inches in diameter was reported in Mount Etna, Indiana, with other areas seeing hail between 1-2 inches. The storms resulted in downed trees and power lines, uprooted trees, and structural damage to buildings in several counties, including Huntington, Wabash, DeKalb, and Grant.

Why it matters

Severe weather events like this can cause significant property damage, power outages, and disruptions to transportation and daily life. The National Weather Service is investigating whether tornadoes touched down to determine the full extent of the destruction and help communities prepare for future storms.

The details

The storms brought a range of damaging weather conditions, including high winds that toppled a semi-truck on U.S. 30 in Van Wert County and caused another semi-truck crash on Interstate 69 near Ashley. The large hail, some nearly the size of baseballs, caused additional property damage across the region.

  • The storms hit the region on March 27, 2026.

The players

National Weather Service

The federal agency responsible for issuing weather forecasts and warnings, and conducting storm surveys to determine the nature and intensity of severe weather events.

Got photos? Submit your photos here. ›

What’s next

The National Weather Service is conducting storm surveys in Wabash and Huntington counties to determine whether a tornado touched down, along with its path and intensity.

The takeaway

This severe weather event highlights the importance of being prepared for powerful storms and having plans in place to respond to potential damage and disruptions. Community resilience and coordination with local authorities are crucial in the aftermath of such events.