By late morning a warm front stretched approximately from low pressure over northeast Missouri through central Illinois to between Indianapolis and Fort Wayne, Indiana while the cold front trailed from the low into Oklahoma. At 1040 EST tornado watch number 49 was issued for much of western Indiana, much of Illinois, and locations south, effective until 1600 EST. National Weather Service radar showed scattered storms in the watch area in Indiana, better organized storms firing up over eastern Iowa and western Illinois, and an area of rain north of the warm front.
At 1400 EST radar showed a broken line of storms with isolated supercells and line segments extending from northern Indiana south-southwestward through southern Indiana into western Kentucky with an eastward movement at 40-45 knots along central and northern portions of the line. The thermodynamic environment was marginally unstable but becoming more unstable with time. Supporting factors for severe weather were: large-scale atmospheric ascent, forcing associated with an ejecting short wave trough, significant shear, and increasing sunshine along and behind the warm front as it lifted north.
At 1343 EST the first severe weather report occurred with a measured thunderstorm wind gust of 91 MPH in Vincennes in Knox county. An additional tornado watch, watch number 50, was issued at 1355 EST to cover the rest of Indiana east of watch number 49. At this point 90+ knot mid-level winds and 55+ knot 850 millibar winds were across the region. Portions of the watches were canceled starting shortly before 1600 EST.
By the end of the severe weather episode an EF3 tornado had touched down in Lawrence County just west of Bedford.  Portions of Daviess county experienced wind gusts of 80 to 90 MPH, while Tippecanoe, Clinton and Howard Counties had gusts from 60 to 70 mph. Significant damage occurred to several homes and farms in Lawrence County.

Thunderstorm Wind in TIPPECANOE, INDIANA
From 08-MAR-09 15:00:00 to 08-MAR-09 15:00:00 (EST-5)
Location: DAYTON
Magnitude: 52.00 EG
Property damage: 12.00K
Reported by: Broadcast Media

A semi-trailer was blown off Interstate 65 by thunderstorm winds. The driver was traveling north on I-65 about 10 miles north of Frankfort when the wind forced his empty vehicle off the road, tearing the roof open. The driver sustained minor injuries.

Thunderstorm Wind in KNOX, INDIANA
From 08-MAR-09 14:00:00 to 08-MAR-09 14:00:00 (EST-5)
Location: FREELANDVILLE
Magnitude: 60.00 EG
Reported by: Broadcast Media

State Road 58 was blocked by debris blown onto the road by thunderstorm winds in Freelandville. Exact location or details about the debris are unknown.

Thunderstorm Wind in LAWRENCE, INDIANA
From 08-MAR-09 14:50:00 to 08-MAR-09 14:50:00 (EST-5)
Location: HOLTONVILLE
Magnitude: 70.00 EG
Reported by: Broadcast Media

Damage of unspecified nature and extent was reported by a television station helicopter crew over Heltonville, IN. The event time is estimated.

Tornado in KNOX, INDIANA
From 08-MAR-09 13:48:00 to 08-MAR-09 13:49:00 (EST-5)
Location: EMISON
Tornado F-scale: EF0
Reported by: NWS Storm Survey

This tornado crossed over into Knox County from Lawrence County, IL. Information shown here reflects only the time the tornado was in Knox County. The affected area in Indiana was very short and remote with no known residences or other man-made structures. Tree damage was noted.

Thunderstorm Wind in TIPPECANOE, INDIANA
From 08-MAR-09 15:06:00 to 08-MAR-09 15:06:00 (EST-5)
Location: CLARKS HILL
Magnitude: 52.00 EG
Reported by: Department of Highways

A 52-knot gust of wind from a thunderstorm was measured by a highway mesonet site.

Thunderstorm Wind in CLINTON, INDIANA
From 08-MAR-09 15:15:00 to 08-MAR-09 15:15:00 (EST-5)
Location: ROSSVILLE
Magnitude: 55.00 EG
Reported by: Law Enforcement

Thunderstorm winds blew down utility lines.

Thunderstorm Wind in TIPPECANOE, INDIANA
From 08-MAR-09 14:54:00 to 08-MAR-09 14:54:00 (EST-5)
Location: LAFAYETTE
Magnitude: 52.00 EG
Reported by: Trained Spotter

Thunderstorm Wind in KNOX, INDIANA
From 08-MAR-09 14:00:00 to 08-MAR-09 14:00:00 (EST-5)
Location: FREELANDVILLE
Magnitude: 75.00 EG
Reported by: Broadcast Media

Grain bins were blown down and a farmhouse was heavily damaged. The time of the event is estimated.

Thunderstorm Wind in DAVIESS, INDIANA
From 08-MAR-09 14:20:00 to 08-MAR-09 14:20:00 (EST-5)
Location: RAGLESVILLE
Magnitude: 72.00 MG
Reported by: Broadcast Media

A measured thunderstorm wind gust of 83 MPH and a lot of debris in the air was reported 3 miles southeast of Odon, IN.

Thunderstorm Wind in CARROLL, INDIANA
From 08-MAR-09 15:15:00 to 08-MAR-09 15:15:00 (EST-5)
Location: FLORA
Magnitude: 70.00 EG
Property damage: 15.00K
Reported by: Law Enforcement

Thunderstorm winds blew the roof off of a building and downed trees and utility lines. Estimated damage cost is very rough.

Tornado in LAWRENCE, INDIANA
From 08-MAR-09 14:45:00 to 08-MAR-09 14:46:00 (EST-5)
Location: BEDFORD
Tornado F-scale: EF0
Property damage: 45.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: NWS Storm Survey

A tornado, rated EF0, caused very brief damage along North Jackson Street in Lawrence County. Damage was mainly limited to a construction trailer, a metal corrugated garage rooftop, removal of roof tiles from a couple homes, and broken tree branches. The damage estimate is very rough.

Tornado in LAWRENCE, INDIANA
From 08-MAR-09 14:37:00 to 08-MAR-09 14:39:00 (EST-5)
Location: FAYETTEVILLE
Tornado F-scale: EF3
Property damage: 420.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: NWS Storm Survey

This brief but powerful tornado had a steady track to the east-northeast, creating damage consistent of an EF3 strength tornado. A rating of EF3 corresponds with winds of 136 to 165 MPH. The maximum width of the tornado was approximately 1/8 mile. It completely destroyed the above ground portions of two homes, seriously damaged a trailer home, and created lesser damage to two other homes. It picked a full size school bus up, turned it around and onto its side, and moved it uphill onto the foundation of what had been an occupied home. The damage estimate is very rough.

Thunderstorm Wind in HOWARD, INDIANA
From 08-MAR-09 15:40:00 to 08-MAR-09 15:40:00 (EST-5)
Location: INDIAN HGTS
Magnitude: 55.00 EG
Reported by: Amateur Radio

Thunderstorm winds blew a tree down.

Funnel Cloud in MARTIN, INDIANA
From 08-MAR-09 14:12:00 to 08-MAR-09 14:13:00 (EST-5)
Location: BRAMBLE
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Trained Spotter

A funnel cloud was observed to the west from this location.

Thunderstorm Wind in KNOX, INDIANA
From 08-MAR-09 13:43:00 to 08-MAR-09 13:43:00 (EST-5)
Location: VINCENNES ONEAL ARPT
Magnitude: 79.00 MG
Reported by: ASOS

Automated equipment recorded a thunderstorm wind gust of 91 MPH.

Funnel Cloud in DAVIESS, INDIANA
From 08-MAR-09 14:13:00 to 08-MAR-09 14:14:00 (EST-5)
Location: ELNORA
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Public

Thunderstorm Wind in TIPPECANOE, INDIANA
From 08-MAR-09 14:55:00 to 08-MAR-09 14:55:00 (EST-5)
Location: LAFAYETTE
Magnitude: 60.00 EG
Reported by: Law Enforcement

Trees were blown down by thunderstorm winds.