SOUTH BEND — The Tribune’s newsgathering partner WNDU-TV reports that the South Bend area could receive severe thunderstorms, hail and damaging winds with the possibility of tornados from 10 p.m. to 2 a.m. Tuesday, April 14.
A few areas could experience straight-line damaging wind gusts up to 70 mph, and these powerful winds can knock down trees, damage roofs and cause power outages, WNDU said. The station also said to expect very heavy downpours with rainfall amounts of 1 to 2 or more inches. Localized flooding is possible in areas that receive the heaviest rain.
The National Weather Service issued a flood watch at 8 p.m. Tuesday through Wednesday evening throughout St. Joseph, LaPorte, Marshall and Elkhart counties as the areas anticipate an 80% chance of precipitation. A tornado watch is also in effect until 4 a.m. in the same areas, although WNDU reported to expect at most one or two brief tornado warnings.
Heading into the mid-morning hours of Wednesday, April 15, scattered storms are expected, likely with less severity. Heavy downpours and lightning are possible, but tornadoes are not expected.
WNDU said scattered showers should be expected on Thursday and Saturday this week, with a mix of clouds and sunshine on Friday and Sunday.
Email South Bend Tribune business reporter Jessica Velez at jvelez@usatodayco.com.
This article originally appeared on South Bend Tribune: Flood and tornado watch issued for St. Joseph County overnight Tuesday
Reporting by Jessica Velez, South Bend Tribune / South Bend Tribune
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