Bloomington Indiana Tornado Damages Airport, Homes, Bank and Animal Shelter as Severe Storms Sweep Central Indiana
Bloomington Indiana experienced tornado damage Thursday night as a fast-moving storm tore through parts of the county, striking the airport and surrounding neighborhoods during a broader wave of severe thunderstorms that produced hail and high winds. The impact on property and infrastructure was concentrated in areas near the airport and several commercial corridors; officials confirmed there were no injuries.
Bloomington Indiana: Damage overview
Local emergency management personnel identified damage at multiple locations in and around Bloomington. Roof damage was visible on at least three homes on Fieldstone Boulevard east of the county airport. The airport sustained damage to fencing, and emergency management reported a tornado at the airport during the event.
Commercial properties and service locations were also affected. A bank in the Whitehall Plaza area sustained roof damage, and a warehouse roof was dislodged and landed on vehicles at a nearby auto dealership. Powerlines were down in several stretches, and crews were observed working to restore service. At 9: 35 p. m. Thursday, more than 2, 000 customers in Monroe County were without power.
The county humane association's campus on Fieldstone Boulevard was damaged; the organization noted that animals were safe and in trusted care while staff assessed facility damage.
Regional severe weather context and warnings
The tornado over Bloomington was part of a larger storm system that brought hail and high winds across central Indiana. A large, fast-moving tornado was observed about 8 miles west of Bloomington just after 7 p. m., moving east at about 40 mph. Warnings and watches for tornadoes and severe thunderstorms were issued across multiple counties through the evening.
- A warning for a large and extremely dangerous tornado in Bloomington was issued at 7: 01 p. m., with emergency management reporting a tornado at the airport.
- A tornado warning for Monroe County, including Bloomington and nearby communities, was in effect into the evening; a broader tornado watch for the region remained in place through later hours.
- Other counties in central Indiana experienced watches or warnings, and several areas reported pea-sized hail and gusty winds as storms moved through.
Immediate impacts and next steps
Emergency management confirmed there were no injuries following the tornado damage in Bloomington. First responders and utility crews focused on power restoration, clearing debris and initial damage assessments at homes, businesses and public facilities. Shelter staff coordinated care for animals displaced by damage to the humane association campus while facility assessments continue.
Watches and warnings continued through the evening across much of the region, and conditions remained subject to change as storm activity progressed. Residents in affected areas were advised to follow local emergency guidance and to stay clear of downed powerlines and damaged structures while cleanup and repairs proceed.
What to watch for next
Damage assessments and utility restoration are ongoing. Updates from local emergency management will determine the timeline for repairs and any additional community assistance. Weather watches and warnings for the larger region remained active into the night as the system moved eastward; residents should remain alert to official guidance and updates from emergency officials.
