An extremely warm, moist, and unstable air mass resided over the lower Ohio Valley during the middle of May. As a series of strong weather systems passed through the region, rounds of strong to severe thunderstorms developed and tracked across southern Indiana. Several inches of rain fell in a very short time resulting in a significant flash flood event for Washington County, Indiana. There were 2 confirmed tornadoes, one in Crawford County and another in Jefferson County, Indiana.

Thunderstorm Wind in JEFFERSON, INDIANA
From 20-MAY-17 18:06:00 to 20-MAY-17 18:06:00 (EST-5)
Location: SMYRNA
Magnitude: 53.00 MG
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: AWOS

Measured at the Madison Airport.

Flash Flood in WASHINGTON, INDIANA
From 19-MAY-17 17:47:00 to 19-MAY-17 17:47:00 (EST-5)
Location: SALEM
Flood cause: Heavy Rain
Property damage: 40.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Law Enforcement

Several inches of rain fell in a very short time period which resulted in significant flash flooding across many portions of Washington County. Multiple high water rescues were reported across the county due to flash flooding.

Flash Flood in WASHINGTON, INDIANA
From 19-MAY-17 17:58:00 to 19-MAY-17 17:58:00 (EST-5)
Location: SALEM
Flood cause: Heavy Rain
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Law Enforcement

Local law enforcement reported that State Road 56 east of Salem was closed due to high water.

Hail in HARRISON, INDIANA
From 19-MAY-17 13:40:00 to 19-MAY-17 13:40:00 (EST-5)
Location: WHITE CLOUD
Magnitude: 1.25 
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: CoCoRaHS

The hail nearly covered the ground.

Hail in HARRISON, INDIANA
From 19-MAY-17 13:45:00 to 19-MAY-17 13:45:00 (EST-5)
Location: DEPAUW
Magnitude: 1.75 
Property damage: 50.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Broadcast Media

Hail in CRAWFORD, INDIANA
From 20-MAY-17 16:05:00 to 20-MAY-17 16:05:00 (EST-5)
Location: LEAVENWORTH
Magnitude: 1.00 
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: COOP Observer

Hail in CRAWFORD, INDIANA
From 20-MAY-17 16:09:00 to 20-MAY-17 16:09:00 (EST-5)
Location: LEAVENWORTH
Magnitude: 1.00 
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Amateur Radio

Hail in CRAWFORD, INDIANA
From 20-MAY-17 16:13:00 to 20-MAY-17 16:13:00 (EST-5)
Location: TOWER
Magnitude: 1.00 
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Trained Spotter

A trained spotter also reported a funnel cloud but it stayed aloft and didn't drop down.

Hail in CLARK, INDIANA
From 20-MAY-17 17:35:00 to 20-MAY-17 17:35:00 (EST-5)
Location: CHARLESTOWN
Magnitude: 1.25 
Property damage: 25.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: CoCoRaHS

Hail ranged in size from nickels to half dollar in diameter.

Tornado in CRAWFORD, INDIANA
From 19-MAY-17 15:22:00 to 19-MAY-17 15:24:00 (EST-5)
Location: SULPHUR SPGS
Tornado F-scale: EF1
Property damage: 250.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: NWS Storm Survey

A NWS Storm Survey found all of the damage along Old Union Chapel Rd off of Hwy 62 near T&T Auto. The tornado formed in an open pasture southwest of Chapel Rd. It knocked over several cedar trees and split several sections on some maple trees before striking a barn near the road. Winds in this area were estimated at 80-85 mph. The eastern edge door of the barn was blown out and with significant roof damage above the door. Several pieces of the barn roof along with many pieces of a wood pile next to the barn were thrown 125 yards downwind into the auto body shop vehicle lot area. This smashed out several vehicle windows. Winds here were estimated at 90 mph. A single-wide trailer took roof damage along its entrance. An old RV had its roof removed and large sections of debris was thrown downwind about 100 yards. A bed of a pickup truck, not attached, was picked up and thrown 150 yards down wind into a field. Another RV was tipped over on its side. Winds here estimated at 80-85 mph. The very back of the auto shop had its roof damaged. There were 3 trees knocked down or snapped northeast of the shop and no damage was observed beyond 150 yards northeast of it. Several witnesses observed the tornado, and there is video evidence as well. There were reports of a tornado near the 86 mile marker on I-64, but no damage was observed.

Thunderstorm Wind in CRAWFORD, INDIANA
From 19-MAY-17 15:20:00 to 19-MAY-17 15:20:00 (EST-5)
Location: SULPHUR
Magnitude: 53.00 EG
Property damage: 25.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Emergency Manager

The Crawford County emergency manager reported that severe thunderstorm winds blew off a porch from a mobile home and damaged a metal outbuilding.

Tornado in JEFFERSON, INDIANA
From 20-MAY-17 18:10:00 to 20-MAY-17 18:11:00 (EST-5)
Location: PLEASANT PT
Tornado F-scale: EF1
Property damage: 75.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: NWS Storm Survey

A small tornado touched down just north of West Galway Trail N in a tree line behind some houses. The tornado uprooted and snapped trees as it moved east. An eyewitness reported seeing a black mass with debris moving horizontally. The tornado covered his house in fallen trees. As it crossed Paper Mill Road, the inflow winds into the tornado pulled off siding from nearby houses and  moved light objects several hundred feet. A camper parked on the southern edge of the path rolled three times toward the center of circulation and was destroyed. After crossing the road it struck an abandoned farm house and did more tree damage. There was no more evidence of damage after the tornado passed east of the farmhouse.

Thunderstorm Wind in CLARK, INDIANA
From 20-MAY-17 17:15:00 to 20-MAY-17 17:15:00 (EST-5)
Location: SELLERSBURG
Magnitude: 53.00 EG
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Law Enforcement

Local law enforcement reported that downed trees were blocking a roadway.

Thunderstorm Wind in JEFFERSON, INDIANA
From 20-MAY-17 18:09:00 to 20-MAY-17 18:09:00 (EST-5)
Location: WIRT
Magnitude: 53.00 EG
Property damage: 25.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Emergency Manager

The Jefferson County emergency manager reported trees and power lines down on State Road 7 near Dawson Smith Road.

Thunderstorm Wind in JEFFERSON, INDIANA
From 20-MAY-17 18:11:00 to 20-MAY-17 18:11:00 (EST-5)
Location: NORTH MADISON
Magnitude: 53.00 EG
Property damage: 35.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Trained Spotter

A trained spotter reported severe thunderstorm wind damage to the awning over a fuel station.

Thunderstorm Wind in JEFFERSON, INDIANA
From 20-MAY-17 18:12:00 to 20-MAY-17 18:12:00 (EST-5)
Location: NORTH MADISON
Magnitude: 55.00 EG
Property damage: 50.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Trained Spotter

A trained spotter reported roof damage to a consignment shop.