A strong cold front moved into area with deepening low pressure tracking across northwestern Indiana.  Strong low level flow with surface winds southwest to even southerly in area of damage. High shear values, moderate low level helicity and a narrow plume of mid to upper 50 dewpoints helped set the stage for lines of strong to severe storms, a few of which briefly produced tornadoes within larger areas of wind damage.

Thunderstorm Wind in LA PORTE, INDIANA
From 24-MAR-16 12:28:00 to 24-MAR-16 12:29:00 (CST-6)
Location: HANNA
Magnitude: 61.00 EG
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: NWS Storm Survey

One segment of a center pivot irrigation system was flipped towards the northeast.

Thunderstorm Wind in LA PORTE, INDIANA
From 24-MAR-16 12:30:00 to 24-MAR-16 12:31:00 (CST-6)
Location: HANNA
Magnitude: 61.00 EG
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: NWS Storm Survey

Several trees were found snapped or damaged at a residence.

Thunderstorm Wind in LA PORTE, INDIANA
From 24-MAR-16 12:35:00 to 24-MAR-16 12:36:00 (CST-6)
Location: KINGSFORD HGTS
Magnitude: 70.00 EG
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: NWS Storm Survey

A survey of damage found a six segments of a north to south oriented center pivot irrigation system flipped.

Thunderstorm Wind in LA PORTE, INDIANA
From 24-MAR-16 12:38:00 to 24-MAR-16 12:39:00 (CST-6)
Location: KINGSFORD HGTS
Magnitude: 56.00 EG
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: NWS Storm Survey

A portion of a barn roof was pealed off from west to east.

Tornado in LA PORTE, INDIANA
From 24-MAR-16 12:26:00 to 24-MAR-16 12:27:00 (CST-6)
Location: THOMASTON
Tornado F-scale: EF0
Property damage: 75.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: NWS Storm Survey

A survey of damage and eyewitness reports indicate a tornado briefly touched down in a open field southwest of the intersection of County Road 1600 south and 900 West. The tornado rapidly crossed County Road 900 South and impacted a 120 foot by 80 foot pole barn, with 80 percent of the roof removed and thrown into adjacent fields. A center pivot irrigation system was not damaged to the east of the barn, suggesting the tornado quickly lifted. Eyewitnesses reported watching 2 separate funnels lowering and raising off to the west.

Tornado in LA PORTE, INDIANA
From 24-MAR-16 12:30:00 to 24-MAR-16 12:33:00 (CST-6)
Location: KINGSFORD HGTS
Tornado F-scale: EF0
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: NWS Storm Survey

A NWS survey of damage found indications of a tornado touching down in an open field east of the intersection of State Route 39 and West County Road 1150 South. The tornado quickly moved northeast causing extensive damage to a small grove of trees, crossed 1150 South and snapped four power poles before lifting northeast of the intersection of County Roads South 100 West and West 1150 South.

Tornado in LA PORTE, INDIANA
From 24-MAR-16 12:35:00 to 24-MAR-16 12:37:00 (CST-6)
Location: KINGSFORD HGTS
Tornado F-scale: EF0
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: NWS Storm Survey

A NWS survey of damage found indications of a tornado touching down at a farm on South County Road 100 East, north of East County Road 1200 South. A 1000 pound metal feeder was picked up over a four foot high fence with no damage to the fence. Several dozen calf pens were picked up with the calves still in them and carried for a half mile or more into an adjacent wooded area. At least two pens were found to have been picked up over the tree tops by the tornado and dropped into the wooded area with one of the pens landing between a cluster of 3 trees that were uprooted shortly after. One calf was injured, but was expected to recover.
Several trees were uprooted with a center pivot irrigation system suffering damage to one of the segments. Maximum wind speeds were estimated at 85 mph, but could have potentially been as high as 90 mph.

Thunderstorm Wind in ST. JOSEPH, INDIANA
From 24-MAR-16 14:05:00 to 24-MAR-16 14:06:00 (EST-5)
Location: GILMER PARK
Magnitude: 56.00 EG
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Broadcast Media

Broadcast media reported several power poles were leaning along Mayflower Road between State Route 23 and Cloyd Street. A roof was blown off a building on West Dunham.

Thunderstorm Wind in ST. JOSEPH, INDIANA
From 24-MAR-16 14:10:00 to 24-MAR-16 14:11:00 (EST-5)
Location: SOUTH BEND
Magnitude: 56.00 EG
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Broadcast Media

Broadcast media reported a trees was blown down onto power lines. A set of bleachers at a nearby sports field was also blown over.

Thunderstorm Wind in ST. JOSEPH, INDIANA
From 24-MAR-16 14:07:00 to 24-MAR-16 14:08:00 (EST-5)
Location: (SBN)MICHIANA ARPT S
Magnitude: 56.00 EG
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Broadcast Media

Broadcast media reported store fronts along Western avenue in South Bend having their windows blown out. There was also reports of tree limbs and power lines down.

Thunderstorm Wind in ST. JOSEPH, INDIANA
From 24-MAR-16 14:07:00 to 24-MAR-16 14:08:00 (EST-5)
Location: SOUTH BEND
Magnitude: 56.00 EG
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Public

The public reported trees limbs and trees down on the 900 block of Napier.

Thunderstorm Wind in ST. JOSEPH, INDIANA
From 24-MAR-16 14:10:00 to 24-MAR-16 14:11:00 (EST-5)
Location: RUPEL
Magnitude: 56.00 EG
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Broadcast Media

Broadcast media reported a one to two foot diameter tree was blown down on Kline Trail near Crumstown. Several other tree limbs were also blown down in the area.

Thunderstorm Wind in ST. JOSEPH, INDIANA
From 24-MAR-16 14:10:00 to 24-MAR-16 14:11:00 (EST-5)
Location: RUPEL
Magnitude: 50.00 EG
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Broadcast Media

Broadcast media reported damage to a roof and a smaller structure on Lath Trail.