National Weather Service United States Department of Commerce

Overview

Severe weather occurred late in the evening on July 15th into the early morning hours of the 16th, mainly between 10 PM to 2 AM EDT. Scattered supercells developed over eastern Iowa the afternoon of the 15th, which quickly grew into large linear complex of storms. These storms raced eastward from northern Illinois into southwest Lower Michigan and northern Indiana, prompting several Severe Thunderstorm Warnings for winds up to 70+ mph and Tornado Warnings for embedded rotation along the line. The line was generally strongest west and along IN-15 before a gradual weakening trend was observed as the line moved east. Several wind gusts 60 to 65 mph were observed in Fort Wayne, IN before the line became sub-severe as it entered northwest Ohio. Given that the ground was still so saturated from recent rain, especially in northwest Indiana, even wind gusts 40 to 50 mph were capable of taking down trees and powerlines. With damaging wind gusts of 60 to 70+ mph,
widespread wind damage was observed.

This page has been updated as of July 16th at 530 PM EDT. Future updates are forthcoming as we look through damage photos/reports to determine the areas of greatest wind damage and if surveys are needed. 

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