This story will be updated as additional information about the storm is made available.
The shriek of multiple sirens sent residents in the north Indianapolis metro area in search of shelter from a tornado late Wednesday.
It wasn’t immediately clear how powerful the tornado that National Weather Service radar spotted in Carmel shortly after 9:30 p.m. was, but its impact, and that of the severe thunderstorm it accompanied, was felt across Central Indiana.
A warehouse in Brownsburg was severely damaged as the powerful storm moved through Hendricks County. The sheared-off wall and partially collapsed roof of the Sur La Table warehouse was one of the most striking images from Wednesday night’s storm damage.
NWS officials had not officially confirmed the tornado by Thursday morning, but local emergency officials and eyewitnesses reported that rotating winds touched down in the Hamilton County city Wednesday night. NWS will make the official determination on the tornado’s classification in the coming days.
Storm damage to trees and buildings was observed by IndyStar staff in Hamilton, Marion and Hendricks counties. In west Carmel, Wednesday’s heavy winds scattered white petals from recently flowered trees across the ground as rain continued to fall late into the night, leaving low-lying yards and drainage areas inundated with standing water.
The storm was only getting started, though, as a NWS tornado warning for the southeast metro area, including Marion, Hancock, Johnson and Shelby counties noted rotation capable of producing a tornado at 10:27 p.m. Wednesday.
IndyStar will have continued coverage of the storm and tornado Thursday, as sunlight helps with officials’ damage assessments and our reporting. Here’s what we know about the tornado ahead of 8 a.m. Thursday.
Was there a confirmed tornado Wednesday in Carmel, Indiana?
Shortly after 9:30 p.m. Wednesday, the National Weather Service’s tornado warning for Hamilton County noted a radar-indicated tornado in Zionsville, moving northeast at 65 mph. Updates to the warning later unofficially confirmed the tornado in Carmel.
The city of Carmel sent a message on X (Twitter) at 9:39 p.m. stating, “a tornado is on the ground in the area. Take shelter immediately.” Carmel city officials later said on social media that no injuries had been reported as a result of the storm.
The NWS warning included Noblesville, Fishers and areas to the northeast as the storm continued on its path. Official confirmation of the tornado and its force has yet to come from NWS officials.
The storm also prompted a flash flood warning for much of the Indianapolis metro area, as the NWS noted rainfall of 1-2 inches from the storm ahead of 10 p.m. Wednesday, with an additional 1 inch to 1.5 inches still expected from the storm.
Did Wednesday’s tornado touch down in Hendricks County?
Damage from the storm was immediately noted in Avon and Brownsburg, though it wasn’t immediately clear if the tornado touched down within Hendricks County.
What was a severe thunderstorm warning by NWS evolved into a tornado warning for the northwest Indianapolis metro area until 9:30 p.m., just prior to the tornado touching down in Hamilton County.
What about storm damage in Marion County?
IndyStar journalists witnessed downed trees and downed power lines across the metro area Wednesday night and into Thursday morning. The Indianapolis Metropolitan Police Department also posted on X reports of high water and traffic lights out as a result of the storm.
