Weak instability and moderate shear associated with a northward moving warm front allowed a favorable environment for several small clusters of storms to become severe, mainly producing pockets of damaging winds. One storm exhibiting supercell characteristics began producing more focus damage in Wabash County, with a brief tornado developing on the north side of Columbia City in Whitley County. A few hail reports were also received.

Tornado in WHITLEY, INDIANA
From 08-MAR-09 16:15:00 to 08-MAR-09 16:16:00 (EST-5)
Location: COLUMBIA CITY
Tornado F-scale: EF1
Property damage: 0.50M
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: NWS Storm Survey

The circulation rapidly touched down on the southern outskirts of the Countryside Mobile Home Park and moved northeast through the eastern part of the park. As the circulation intensified, extensive damage occurred to 6 mobile homes which were severely damaged or destroyed. An additional 20 trailers in the immediate area suffered varying amount of damage from ripped skirting to some shifting off blocks. At least one trailer was occupied at the time of the tornado, but luckily no injuries were reported. Damage is estimated at around one half million dollars.

Hail in ALLEN, INDIANA
From 08-MAR-09 16:30:00 to 08-MAR-09 16:31:00 (EST-5)
Location: FT WAYNE
Magnitude: 0.75 
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Trained Spotter

A trained spotter reported penny size hail at State Route 14 and Interstate 69.

Hail in MIAMI, INDIANA
From 08-MAR-09 15:37:00 to 08-MAR-09 15:38:00 (EST-5)
Location: (GUS)GRISSOM AFB PER
Magnitude: 0.88 
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Emergency Manager

Emergency management officials reported nickel size hail at Grissom Air Force Base.

Thunderstorm Wind in HUNTINGTON, INDIANA
From 08-MAR-09 16:05:00 to 08-MAR-09 16:06:00 (EST-5)
Location: BIPPUS
Magnitude: 65.00 EG
Property damage: 5.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Trained Spotter

Trained spotters reported 2 utility poles being snapped on State Route 105, just north of Bippus.

Thunderstorm Wind in ALLEN, INDIANA
From 08-MAR-09 16:30:00 to 08-MAR-09 16:31:00 (EST-5)
Location: CEDAR CANYONS
Magnitude: 59.00 MG
Property damage: 1.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Amateur Radio

Amateur radio operators reported roof damage to a barn, with shingles torn off a adjacent house. Damage estimated at around $1000. In addition, the Fort Wayne Indiana ASOS reported a 61 mph wind gust and spotters reported a 68 mph wind gust in Fort Wayne.

Thunderstorm Wind in WHITE, INDIANA
From 08-MAR-09 14:40:00 to 08-MAR-09 14:41:00 (EST-5)
Location: REYNOLDS
Magnitude: 50.00 EG
Property damage: 0.50K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Public

The public reported the fabric cover to a building being blown off as well as shingle damage to a house.

Thunderstorm Wind in WHITE, INDIANA
From 08-MAR-09 14:48:00 to 08-MAR-09 14:49:00 (EST-5)
Location: MONTICELLO
Magnitude: 55.00 EG
Property damage: 5.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Emergency Manager

Emergency management officials reported scattered trees and power lines down around Monticello.

Lightning in ADAMS, INDIANA
From 08-MAR-09 12:10:00 to 08-MAR-09 12:11:00 (EST-5)
Location: STEELE
Property damage: 100.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Newspaper

Firefighters arrived at the residence on East County Road 100 South, east of Monroe to find the front of the house engulfed in flames. Several construction issues made it difficult to fight with the house being a total loss. The damage was estimated at around $100,000.

Hail in HUNTINGTON, INDIANA
From 08-MAR-09 16:05:00 to 08-MAR-09 16:06:00 (EST-5)
Location: BIPPUS
Magnitude: 1.00 
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Newspaper

A local newspaper reported that quarter size hail was observed in Bippus.

Thunderstorm Wind in MIAMI, INDIANA
From 08-MAR-09 15:35:00 to 08-MAR-09 15:36:00 (EST-5)
Location: PERU
Magnitude: 55.00 EG
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Emergency Manager

Emergency management officials reported a large tree fell onto a residence.

Thunderstorm Wind in MIAMI, INDIANA
From 08-MAR-09 15:35:00 to 08-MAR-09 15:36:00 (EST-5)
Location: NEAD
Magnitude: 53.00 MG
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Emergency Manager

Emergency management officials reported two mobile homes, as well as a block building suffering heavy damamge. No injuries were reported. The Grisson Air Force Base reported a 61 mph wind gust.

Thunderstorm Wind in MIAMI, INDIANA
From 08-MAR-09 15:35:00 to 08-MAR-09 15:36:00 (EST-5)
Location: DENVER
Magnitude: 55.00 EG
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Trained Spotter

A trained spotter reported a six inch diameter tree down on State Route 16, just west of Denver.

Thunderstorm Wind in CASS, INDIANA
From 08-MAR-09 15:15:00 to 08-MAR-09 15:16:00 (EST-5)
Location: LOGANSPORT
Magnitude: 55.00 EG
Property damage: 15.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Emergency Manager

Emergency management officials reported the back half of a roof was ripped off a local business. No injuries were reported. Damage is estimated at $15,000.

Thunderstorm Wind in MIAMI, INDIANA
From 08-MAR-09 15:37:00 to 08-MAR-09 15:38:00 (EST-5)
Location: RIDGEVIEW
Magnitude: 55.00 EG
Property damage: 20.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Emergency Manager

Emergency management officials reported a barn roof was blown off at County Road 250 North and State Route 19. Damage is estimated at $20,000.

Thunderstorm Wind in WABASH, INDIANA
From 08-MAR-09 15:50:00 to 08-MAR-09 15:51:00 (EST-5)
Location: LAKETON
Magnitude: 61.00 EG
Property damage: 65.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: NWS Storm Survey

A National Weather Service (NWS) survey team examined the damage at a farm west of North Manchester on State Route 114. Over half of a barn roof was removed from strong winds, likely around 70 mph, entering through a possible door opening. Adjacent buildings, including a house, suffered minor damage, including siding and some shingles. A wooden playground suffered damage from the winds as did some shingles on the residence. Damage is estimated at around $60,000 for the barn and around $5,000 for the swing set and roof damage.