Boone County is hunkering down last night as officials warn that a volatile line of storms could slam the area with damaging winds, large hail, dangerous lightning, torrential rain and even tornadoes.
The sheriff's office and county emergency management team say they are on alert, have opened multiple community shelters and are asking residents to secure anything that can blow away, charge phones and devices, and stay off the roads unless absolutely necessary while response crews remain on standby.
What Officials Are Telling Residents
In a post from the Boone County Sheriffs Office, the county Emergency Management Agency and the sheriff's office say they are closely watching the evolving forecast and want residents to "remain weather-aware" through the afternoon and night.
The message highlights likely hazards that include strong, potentially damaging winds, large hail, localized flooding and the possibility of tornadoes. Residents are urged to tie down or bring inside any loose outdoor items that could become airborne in high winds.
Officials also stress that 911 should be reserved for emergencies, even as first responders continue to monitor conditions and prepare for downed trees, power outages and other storm-related calls.
How Serious The Storm Risk Looks
The National Weather Service office in Indianapolis is tracking a corridor of severe storms capable of producing tornadoes, damaging straight-line winds and flash flooding across central Indiana.
Weather coverage notes that tornado and severe-thunderstorm watches are in effect for parts of central and northern Indiana, including Boone County. With heavy rain expected to combine with strong winds, officials warn that power outages and roads blocked by debris are very much on the table.
Where To Go And What To Bring
According to the sheriff's post, several community shelters are open across Boone County for anyone who needs a safer place to ride out the storms:
- Boone County Courthouse: open now through 11:59 p.m.
- Whitestown Fire Station 272: open 4:00 p.m. to 11:59 p.m.
- Zionsville Town Hall: open 8:00 p.m. to 11:59 p.m.
- Thorntown Town Hall: available to residents
- Advance Fire Department: available to residents
Anyone heading to a shelter is asked to bring medications and any personal supplies they may need. Drivers are urged not to attempt travel through flooded or high-water areas, where conditions can turn dangerous very quickly.
Homeowners and businesses are also being told to secure patio furniture, trash cans and any other loose items that could turn into airborne projectiles when stronger gusts move in.
Staying Weather-Ready As Storms Roll In
Officials emphasize having more than one way to get warnings as the weather unfolds tonight. That means enabling Wireless Emergency Alerts on your phone, using a NOAA Weather Radio or tuned-in local station, and following updates from local media and the National Weather Service for real-time changes.
If a tornado warning is issued, the NWS advises moving immediately to an interior room on the lowest floor of a sturdy building, away from windows, and staying there until the warning expires. Flashlights, extra batteries and a fully charged phone can be crucial if the power goes out.
For life-threatening situations, call 911. For everything else, officials say to keep a close eye on updates from the National Weather Service and other trusted local outlets as conditions develop overnight.
