Tornado Watch issued ahead of intense storms tonight, early Thursday

(ST. LEON, Ind.) – A Tornado Watch has been issued for Decatur, Rush and Shelby, Jennings and Bartholomew counties until 1 a.m. Thursday.

More tornado watches and warnings are possible through the evening and we

Strong to severe storms could result in some damage and flooding to Southeast Indiana later tonight and early Thursday. 

The storms could bring winds of up to 70 mile-per-hour, large hail and the possibility of tornadoes. 

The Storm Prediction Center (SPC) has our area under an Enhanced Risk, which is level 3 out of 5, for severe weather. 

Areas such as Indianapolis, Lafayette and Springfield, Illinois and Champaign, Illinois are under a Level 4 risk, which means those areas are under greater threat of severe wind events, large hail and violent tornadoes.  

A Flash Flood Watch has been issued for Dearborn, Fayette, Franklin, Ohio, Ripley, Switzerland and Union counties from 10 p.m. Wednesday until 10 a.m. Thursday. 

Due to the most severe weather possible between 11 p.m. and 6 a.m., be sure you have ways to receive warnings, such as your phone being able to receive emergency alerts.