Wilmington, OH

Weather Forecast Office

Violent Tornado In Southeast Indiana and Southwest Ohio

June 2, 1990

Violent F4 Tornado In Bright, Indiana and Harrison, OH

An unseasonably strong low pressure system across the Upper Midwest helped pull very warm and moist air northward into the Ohio Valley. This unstable airmass sat beneath a fairly potent jetstream (which helped increase the available shear for storms). Many tornadoes developed during the day of June 2 across Indiana before activity tracked eastward into extreme southeastern Indiana and southwestern Ohio. Many of these storms were tornadic in nature, including one which moved through the town of Bright Indiana and Harrison, Ohio during the nighttime hours. This storm produced a violent F4-rated tornado.

The violent tornado that moved through Bright Indiana damaged as many as 50 homes, including several that were brick construction. The tornado then tracked east and produced F4 damage in parts of Harrison and New Baltimore, Ohio. Several hundred homes were damaged, with as many as two dozen buildings completely destroyed. The storm eventually tracked east into southern Butler County where damage also occurred. In total, 37 people were injured by this tornado which was estimated to have been on the ground for 33 miles.

Weather Setup/Local Radar Images
Local Warning Texts
Local Newspaper Documents
Damage Pictures

Weather Setup & Local Radar Images


Weather Setup	The first tornado watch issued was over the western Ohio Valley	The second tornado watch was just east of the initial watch and included southeastern Indiana and southwestern Ohio

June 2-3 Tornado Outbreak In Ohio Valley (image courtesy of Brian E. Smith, NSSFC)


Supercell thunderstorms track east toward the IN/OH border	Radar image around the time of tornado touchdown in Bright, IN	Radar image around the time of tornado dissipation

Radar Images Courtesy of Tony Lombardi

Local Warning Texts


Tornado Watch Issued (relayed from WSO Cleveland)	Tornado Warning Issued at 11:14 PM local time	Tornado Warning In effect for Butler and Hamilton Counties in southwest Ohio

Warning text includes mention of tornado already on the ground in Dearborn County (IN)	Warning mentions "dangerous storm" to move through Hamilton and Butler counties in next 30 minutes	The best place to be if under a tornado warning is always the lowest and the interior-most room of a building

Screen Captures of Warning Text Courtesy of Tony Lombardi

Local Newspaper Stories of Damage


The front page of the Harrison Press on June 6, 1990	Article detail first-hand accounts of storm with numerous local pics of damage	Victims not only dealt with cleanup but also how to receive federal aid to assist in the recovery process

Articles in the June 6, 1990 edition detail the community-wide effort to clean up and start the rebuilding process	Many residents had to not only clean up the damage, but also repair it.

Newspaper Clippings & Articles Courtesy of Tony Lombardi

Local Damage Pictures

Newspaper Clippings & Articles Courtesy of Tony Lombardi