State history
Tornadoes in Indiana
Indiana averages 22 tornadoes per year. Here is the complete history.
The stats
- Average: 22 tornadoes/year.
- Peak season: April-June.
- Population and vulnerability considerations.
- Regional patterns.
- Community awareness.
- Skywarn active.
Notable events
- 1917 Little Cypress F4 — 40+ dead.
- 1965 Palm Sunday impact — IN devastation.
- 1974 Super Outbreak impact — IN destruction.
- 1990 Petersburg F4 — 3 dead.
- 2005 Evansville area F3 — multiple events.
- 2012 March 2 outbreak — multiple events.
- 2013 November 17 outbreak — multiple events.
Major cities
Indianapolis metro
2M+. Multiple historic events.
Fort Wayne
270k. NE IN.
Evansville
120k. SW IN.
South Bend
100k. N IN.
Bloomington
University town.
Terre Haute
Western IN.
NWS coverage
NWS Indianapolis
Central IN.
NWS Chicago
NW IN.
NWS Northern Indiana (North Webster)
N IN.
NWS Paducah KY
S IN.
NWS Louisville KY
SE IN.
Chase community
- Regional chasers active.
- Multi-state coordination.
- Documentation of events.
- Public safety focus.
- Community involvement.
- Skywarn integration.
Preparedness
- Weather radio.
- WEA enabled.
- Family communication plan.
- Community shelter awareness.
- Storm shelter installation.
- Insurance current.
- Regular drills.
- Emergency contact list.
Vulnerabilities
- Population distribution.
- Building code enforcement.
- Mobile home density in specific areas.
- Community shelter access.
- Rural coverage gaps.
- Historical vulnerabilities.
For residents
- Preparedness essential.
- Local NWS office familiarity.
- Community engagement.
- Multi-hazard awareness.
- Family plan.
- Insurance verification.
- Ongoing education.