Bloomington tornado warning: Check map as Monroe County, Columbus in Indiana brace for storm

Authorities downgraded the PDS tornado warning for Bloomington, yet residents were advised to remain sheltered.

Updated on: Feb 20, 2026, 06:51:41 IST

By Prakriti Deb

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Residents in and around Bloomington were urged to take immediate cover after a Particularly Dangerous Situation (PDS) tornado warning was issued Thursday evening, per local time, with a heightened risk of destructive winds and life-threatening conditions.

Officials estimated more than 136,000 residents were within the alert zone. (REUTERS)

The National Weather Service (NWS) office in Indianapolis said the warning remained in effect until 7:30 pm EST and covered parts of Monroe County, including Clear Creek, Ellettsville and Trevlac.

Officials estimated more than 136,000 residents were within the alert zone, along with 25 schools and three hospitals.

“This is a life-threatening situation. Seek shelter now!” the warning stated.

Warning downgraded after initial alert

BNO News later reported that the warning was downgraded and no longer classified as a PDS event. The tornado was described as observed, and preliminary reports indicated damage west of Bloomington.

Also Read: Winter weather advisory in Nebraska, Ohio, New York, California: Full list of cities and counties affected

Authorities continued urging residents to remain sheltered and monitor official updates.

Regional communities monitor storm movement

Communities beyond Bloomington, including Columbus, closely tracked the storm as it moved across southern Indiana.

Earlier Thursday, the Storm Prediction Center warned of severe weather potential across parts of the Midwest and Ohio Valley. Forecasters said a surface low forming over Kansas was expected to move northeast toward Illinois and southern Lake Michigan, drawing warm, moist air into Indiana.

Also Read: Effingham tornado threat: Videos emerge of scary storm along Ohio River Valley- Check map and path

Meteorologists cautioned that while storms might remain scattered, any sustained cells could produce tornadoes and other severe hazards. A strong EF2 or greater tornado was considered possible if storms intensified in the favorable wind environment.

Safety steps residents should take

Emergency officials advised residents to:

Monitor live radar and local weather alerts

Move to a basement or interior room on the lowest floor

Stay away from windows and exterior walls

Review evacuation and family safety plans

Keep phones charged and emergency kits ready

Authorities emphasized that rapidly changing conditions require constant monitoring of official weather updates and local emergency guidance.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Prakriti Deb
Prakriti Deb is a journalist at Hindustan Times Digital, where she is part of the US Desk. She works on stories related to American politics, crime, sports, entertainment and weather. She particularly enjoys covering political developments that have global ripples. Through her work, she aims to break down complex events in a way that feels simple and understandable. Before joining the Hindustan Times, she worked with The Indian Express Digital, where she covered world affairs. She holds a postgraduate degree in Mass Communication with a specialisation in Journalism, along with a bachelor’s degree in English Literature. Outside the newsroom, Prakriti enjoys travelling and stepping out of her comfort zone. She finds her sense of being through storytelling in all its forms, including conversations, painting, theatre, dance and photography. She appreciates discussions that challenge her perspective and help her see the world a little differently.Read More

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