Parke County Tornadoes

 

Thirteen tornadoes have touched down in Parke County since January 1st, 1950. 

 

 

April 2, 2025 - The tornado likely began in rural field just east of Numa at 8:24 PM then tracked ENE over W County Road 900 S where high end EF1 damage occurred to 1 home and 2 other buildings on the property. The tornado continued NE toward Coxville and then passed just south of Catlin. This area is very rural with only tree damage observed. Funnel was likely skipping for last few miles before lifting and much of the damage was confined to tree tops. The tornado was rated an EF-1 with maximum estimated winds of 105 mph and was on the ground for 8.6 miles. The maximum width was 120 yards. The tornado lifted at 8:31 PM.

 

March 15, 2025 - a tornado began just west of Mecca at 02:14 AM with sporadic tree damage that continued north of West 275 South. The tornado crossed Coxville Road before tracking mostly through rural woods and farmland west of McAdams Road. The worst damage occurred along McAdams Road towards West 100S where a small garage was completely destroyed and a 150 year old barn was mostly destroyed. The tornado centerline was just to the west of the residences along McAdams road. Several other residences nearby had tree and pole barn damage. The tornado then moved into farmland before dissipating just north of West 100S. The tornado was rated an EF-1 with maximum estimated winds of 110 mph and was on the ground for 2.66 miles. The maximum width was 75 yards. The tornado lifted at 2:16 AM.

 

May 25, 2011 - Two tornadoes touched down on the evening of Wednesday, May 25th.  The first tornado touchdown was at 9:38 PM and was an EF0 with estimated wind speeds of 80mph.  It was on the ground for 0.4 miles with a maximum path width of 30 yards.  The tornado lifted at 9:39 PM.  This tornado started near the Bridgeton covered bridge and moved East lifting near Hawkins Road.  The tornado caused some damage to the Bridgeton covered bridge.  The second tornado touched down at 9:40 PM and was an EF1 with estimated wind speeds of 90 mph.  It was on the ground for 0.8 miles with a maximum path width of 100 yards.  The tornado lifted at 9:43 PM.  This tornado occurred 5 miles ESE of Rockville.   Widespread wind damage also occurred outside of these tornadoes.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

June 02, 1990 - This was the largest tornado outbreak in Indiana history.  Through the early morning hours of June 3rd, a total of 37 tornadoes had occurred in the state of Indiana.  According to Red Cross surveys, 237 homes and 105 mobile homes were destroyed and another 665 homes and 158 mobile homes were damaged in the state of Indiana.  Twelve Hoosiers lost their lives. 

Four of these tornadoes were in Parke County.  All four were F0 tornadoes with estimated wind speeds of 40-72 mph and a damage path of less then 0.5miles.  The first tornado touched down at 5:23PM and the last tornado lifted at 6:00PM.  Touchdowns occurred near Cecil M Harden Lake, North East of Rosedale, North of Bloomingdale, and in North Eastern Parke County near Waveland.

 

April 19, 2011 - An EF-1 tornado touched down at 9:10PM EDT in central Vermillion County and traveled northeast through northwest Parke, southeast Fountain, and west-central Montgomery Counties. This tornado formed 2.72 miles southwest of Cayuga and tracked northeast for approximately 4 miles before exiting Vermillion County about 2.36 miles east, southeast of Cayuga at 9:16PM EDT. The tornado continued northeast into Parke County, around 1.51 miles west of Waterman, for another 8.6 miles before leaving the county 3.53 miles northeast of Sylvania at 9:22PM EDT. The tornado continued northeast into Fountain County, around 1.69 miles east, southeast of Kingman, for another 9.3 miles before pushing into Montgomery County at 9:32PM EDT, 2.75 miles northwest of Alamo, for another 9.23 miles and dissipating about 1.89 miles northwest of Crawfordsville at 9:40PM EDT. Multiple trees and power lines were reported down along the path, as well as siding and shingles ripped off homes. A shed was destroyed in Vermillion County and another structure sustained damage in Parke County. The tornado was rated an EF-1 along most of its path, except in Montgomery County where EF-0 damage was found. The maximum width along the path was 100 yards.

 

March 15, 1971 - An F0 tornado touched down in the early morning hours of March 15th near Montezuma.  Touchdown was at 2:00AM.  It was on the ground for 0.1 miles and had a width of 33 yards.

 

May 10, 1969 - An F0 tornado touched down at 11:15 AM on May 10th.  The tornado was near Cecil M Harden Lake and was on the ground for 0.1 miles and had a width of 20 yards.

 

April 29, 1963 - On this date, the strongest tornado in Parke County history touched down.  This was an F3 tornado with estimated wind speeds of 158 mph to 206 mph.  The tornado touched down at 6:00 PM near Rosedale and was on the ground for 5.6 miles, lifting near Bridgeton.  The tornado was 100 yards wide and caused $250,000 in damage.

 

March 15, 1953 - At 10:00PM, an F1 tornado touched down just North of Bridgeton.  It was on the ground for 0.1 miles with a width of 100 yards.