2 p.m. update
Bartholomew County has been downgraded to a Slight Risk of severe weather today. Bartholomew County Emergency Management says the area continues to have the potential for storms and hazards such as damaging winds, heavy rain, and a tornado cannot be ruled out.
11:30 A.M. UPDATE
Bartholomew County Emergency Management says two of the three Weather Radio Stations have returned to service, including the Seymour location.
ORIGINAL STORY
COLUMBUS, Ind. — Bartholomew County Emergency Management is warning area residents to be alert to severe weather today and tonight.
The agency also updated the weather radio transmitters that are offline, including one in Seymour.
Emergency repairs are being requested but those who use weather radios in Seymour are warned that weather warnings are currently not being transmitted there and they should fine other ways to receive alerts today.
The National Weather Service is predicting an enhanced risk of severe weather Wednesday.
Thunderstorms are expected during the day, potentially coming in three rounds.
— First round expected early morning Wednesday through the morning commute.
— Second round expected early- to mid-afternoon.
— Third round, most intense storms expected, between 5 p.m. and midnight.
Damaging winds and tornadoes are possible, along with hail, heavy rainfall, and lightning.
High end wind sheer and potential break between rain with sunshine will fuel the potential for damaging winds and long-lived tornadoes. Wind speeds ahead and along the squall line could reach 70-75 mph.
The system/line should be east of Bartholomew County by the overnight hours.
There is low to medium flooding potential. This could occur over saturated ground and during periods of heavy rainfall.
– Enhanced Risk
o numerous severe storms possible
o Some longer lived severe storms – a few intense storms possible
o Have multiple ways to get NWS warnings and seek shelter immediately when warnings are issued for your location.
A portion of the severity depends on how quickly the system moves through in the earlier rounds and how much sunshine could appear and create further instability (along with the high end wind sheer).
Now is the time to prepare. Make sure devices are charged as widespread power outages are possible. Again, have multiple ways to receive weather alerts (Watches and Warnings). Another briefing will be received tomorrow morning and I will update again with any new information. Stay alert and prepare to seek shelter if a Warning is issued.
