Large and Extremely Dangerous Tornado Confirmed Near Bloomington, Indiana, Triggers PDS Warning for Monroe and Brown Counties
INDIANA — A confirmed large and extremely dangerous tornado was reported near Bloomington Tuesday evening, prompting a Particularly Dangerous Situation (PDS) Tornado Warning for parts of south central Indiana.
At 7:01 PM EST, emergency management confirmed that a damaging tornado was located near Bloomington and moving east at approximately 45 mph. The warning remained in effect until 7:30 PM EST. Officials described the situation as life-threatening and urged residents to take cover immediately.
Confirmed Tornado Near Indiana University
The tornado was moving toward Bloomington and the Indiana University area during the height of the warning. Authorities specifically warned that individuals in Central Monroe County and western Brown County were in the path of the storm.
Locations impacted included:
- Bloomington
- Ellettsville
- Yellowwood Lake
- Indiana University
- Woodville Hills
- Lake Lemon
- Unionville
- Whitehall
Radar imagery showed intense storm structure over the Bloomington metro area, with rotation indicated as the tornado tracked eastward.
“Particularly Dangerous Situation” Issued
The National Weather Service classified the event as a Particularly Dangerous Situation, reserved for the most serious tornado warnings.
Officials stated clearly:
“This is a life-threatening situation. TAKE COVER NOW.”
The hazard was identified as a damaging tornado, with emergency management confirming the circulation on the ground.
Expected Impacts
Authorities warned that:
- Flying debris could be deadly to those caught without shelter
- Mobile homes could be destroyed
- Considerable damage to homes, businesses, and vehicles was likely
- Complete destruction was possible in the strongest portions of the storm
The storm’s forward motion at 45 mph meant little time to react once the tornado approached populated areas.
Immediate Safety Instructions
Residents were urged to move to:
- A basement, if available
- An interior room on the lowest floor of a sturdy building
- A location away from windows
Those outdoors, in vehicles, or in mobile homes were instructed to move to the closest substantial shelter immediately and protect themselves from flying debris. Officials emphasized that this was not a routine warning, but an urgent and potentially deadly situation requiring immediate action.
Tornado Season Escalates
This confirmed tornado near Bloomington underscores the rapid escalation of severe weather as the 2026 tornado season unfolds. Earlier forecasts had indicated multiple rounds of storms across the Midwest, and this event verified those concerns.
As severe weather season intensifies, emergency managers stress the importance of staying alert to warnings and having multiple ways to receive weather alerts.
If you are in a warned area, do not wait to see the tornado — take shelter immediately. Stay with SaludaStandard-Sentinel.com for continuing updates on severe weather events impacting communities across the United States.
