Authorities assess Bartholomew County tornado damage

COLUMBUS, Ind. – Bartholomew County Emergency Management (BCEM) conducted its damage survey Thursday with the National Weather Service (NWS) after the Bartholomew County tornado on Wednesday night.

The tornado began near I-65 in southwest Bartholomew County and continued northeast to near Hartsville before dissipating. Most damage along this path was within the EF0 and EF1 categories.

However, two areas of more intense damage were consistent with the low-end EF2 category and maximum wind speeds of 112 mph. Damage at both locations consisted of well-built metal farm buildings with walls and roofs. Debris at those locations was lofted and thrown anywhere from a quarter to one-half mile to the north and northeast.

Most county roads where the tornado crossed had several utility poles broken. Some small metal high transmission towers were twisted and bent. However, these were small and not the heavier steel structures. There were also wooden double poles alongside that had no damage.

Here is the summary from BCEM and NWS on the EF2 tornado on 3/19/25.