Sudden severe thunderstorms prompted National Weather Service (NWS) warnings urging 14,000 people within the storm's path to "seek shelter" on Thursday morning.
As a potent storm system swept into the Midwest early Thursday, thousands across Indiana were urged to "seek shelter" amid rapidly intensifying severe thunderstorm conditions.
The thunderstorm warnings have since expired, but more are likely throughout the day.
Forecasters had warned that the strongest storms -- which could unleash damaging winds, hail, torrential downpours and even a few tornadoes -- were expected to form near Indianapolis, placing much of the state at heightened risk as the region faced its first significant severe weather event in months. The threat was part of a broader outbreak across the Ohio Valley, where storms are forecast to continue through Thursday night.
Severe thunderstorms took shape on Thursday morning, prompting several warnings from the NWS office in Northern Indiana.
Pulaski, Cass, and Fulton, Indiana, were impacted, with residents in those areas told to seek shelter until the storm had passed, given its severity. People were told to expect damage to vehicles.
"For your protection move to an interior room on the lowest floor of a building," the warning said.
These particular severe thunderstorm warnings have since expired, as the storm was moving quickly through the region, but more are likely throughout the day. Hazardous weather outlooks remained in place across the state.
"A few strong to severe storms are possible this morning and again this afternoon and into the evening, especially south of US-30," one such outlook said. "Wind gusts and hail would be the primary concerns in any storms, although a tornado or two cannot be ruled out."
Although severe thunderstorm warnings are usually short-lived, Hoosiers were told to be on alert throughout the day Thursday, as more storms were likely to form. A map from AccuWeather revealed that the southern half of Indiana had the highest risk of severe thunderstorms on Tuesday, with the risk area affecting parts of Illinois, Kentucky, and southwestern Ohio as well.
"All modes of severe weather will be possible with the strongest storms, including high wind gusts, hail, a few tornadoes and torrential downpours that could lead to flash flooding," the AccuWeather report said.
Winter tornadoes in Indiana aren't common, but they're not unheard of. Indiana's peak tornado season runs from April through June, yet data shows that tornadoes can and do occur during winter months.