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Lima Today
By the People, for the People
Early April 2026 Flooding and Severe Thunderstorms Batter Midwest
Heavy rainfall leads to dangerous flooding across Indiana and Ohio, with rivers reaching moderate flood stage.
Apr. 5, 2026 at 8:09pm
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Intense rainfall from March 31 to April 4, 2026 totaled 3 to 6 inches across the Midwest, leading to rapid river rises and widespread flooding. The soggy stretch began with severe thunderstorms on the 31st that produced one tornado and caused instances of hail and damaging wind. In the days that followed, additional isolated severe storms occurred, with high temperatures crashing below normal after a cold front moved through.
Why it matters
The heavy rainfall and flooding impacted communities across Indiana and Ohio, with several rivers reaching moderate flood stage and causing significant damage. The event highlights the increasing frequency and severity of extreme weather events driven by climate change, and the need for improved infrastructure and disaster preparedness in the region.
The details
The rainfall began with severe thunderstorms on March 31 that produced one tornado and caused hail and damaging winds. Over the next several days, additional isolated severe storms brought more heavy rain, leading to rapid rises on the Maumee, St. Joseph, Tippecanoe, and Kankakee Rivers. Several rivers reached moderate flood stage, with crests comparable to past major flood events.
- The rainfall began on March 31 with severe thunderstorms.
- Heavy rain continued through April 4, with a total of 3 to 6 inches recorded across the region.
- Temperatures crashed below normal starting on April 5 as a cold front moved through.
The players
National Weather Service Northern Indiana
The local NWS office that issued weather warnings and reports for the affected region.
CoCoRaHS
The Community Collaborative Rain, Hail and Snow Network, which provided valuable precipitation observations from volunteer observers.
Marshall County Emergency Management Agency
The local emergency management agency that reported on flooding in the Plymouth, Indiana area.
La Porte County Emergency Management Agency
The local emergency management agency that reported on flooding along the Kankakee River.
Defiance County, Ohio
A county in Ohio that experienced flooding that slowed storm damage survey efforts.
What they’re saying
“Many observations are courtesy of CoCoRaHS. See an interactive map of this data at maps.cocorahs.org.”
— National Weather Service Northern Indiana
What’s next
The National Weather Service will continue to monitor river levels and issue updates as the flooding situation evolves. Local emergency management agencies will work to assess damage and coordinate response efforts in the affected communities.
The takeaway
This extreme rainfall and flooding event underscores the growing threat of climate change-driven severe weather in the Midwest. Improving disaster preparedness, upgrading aging infrastructure, and enhancing early warning systems will be critical to protecting vulnerable communities in the face of these increasingly common and intense storms.
