Strong winds cause damage across central Indiana as severe storm line approaches

Strong winds caused damage across parts of Indiana earlier today as a powerful storm system pushed toward the region. Downed trees and power lines were reported in multiple counties, and forecasters warn another round of damaging winds and possible tornadoes could move through central Indiana later tonight.

Earlier wind reports showed just how strong the system already is. Gusts reached 56 mph in Bloomington and Indianapolis, 59 mph in Shelbyville, and 60 mph in Fort Wayne. Those winds were strong enough to bring down trees and power lines across several counties, including Putnam, Monroe, Bartholomew, Delaware, Hancock, Rush, Jay, Ripley, Warrick, and Vanderburgh.

Additional damage was reported in Sullivan, where a carport was damaged, and in La Fontaine, where a tree fell onto a house. As of 9:30 p.m., about 9,000 power outages had already been reported across Indiana, and that number could rise as storms move through overnight.

The winds are being driven by a p...