WEATHER

2,500 in Indianapolis remain without power after Tuesday's severe storms

Update Aug. 21, 2019: About 2,500 homes and businesses remained without power in Indianapolis Wednesday morning, IPL reported at 7:20 a.m.

Duke Energy restored power to all but 33 of its Indiana customers.

About 16,000 customers lost power after a severe storm Tuesday night.

Earlier: Thousands of people remained without power Tuesday evening after a brief yet powerful thunderstorm blew through Central Indiana, toppling power lines and knocking trees to the ground. 

About 10,267 Indianapolis Power & Light customers were experiencing power outages as of 6:55 p.m. An additional 6,313 Duke Energy customers in Indiana were without power.

Bill Norton, spokesperson for Duke Energy, said severe weather is a common cause of power outages. He said crews were out restoring power throughout the state Tuesday afternoon, and added that the company prioritizes larger outages. 

Brianna Saunders, community relations manager for Indianapolis Power & Light, said it could take 24-36 more hours for outages to be fixed. 

Late afternoon thunderstorms roll into downtown Indianapolis on Tuesday, August 20, 2019.

Severe thunderstorm warnings were issued in the western part of Indiana beginning at 1:20 p.m., said Kacie Hoover, a meteorologist with the National Weather Service in Indianapolis. The storms gradually moved east, with the severe parts exiting Indiana and entering Ohio around 4:30 p.m., Hoover said. 

A wind gust of 73 mph was recorded at Indianapolis International Airport, Hoover said. Less than half an inch of rain was recorded at the NWS office in Indianapolis, and less than a quarter inch of rain was recorded at the airport, she said. 

Hoover said there was less rain than the weather service anticipated, but that lightning and strong winds caused trees and power lines to fall throughout the state. 

Crews with the Indianapolis Department of Public Works were working Tuesday to clear debris from the city's streets. The department had 15 forestry team members responding to fallen trees and other debris, four drivers placing barricades around debris, and seven people addressing broken traffic signals. 

A strong afternoon thunderstorm knocked down trees and power lines in front of a home at 4400 S. Meridian St. on Tuesday, Aug. 20, 2019.

Thunderstorms are expected to continue in Central Indiana into Tuesday night, the NWS said. There is also a chance of rain in Indianapolis every day until Saturday, when sunny skies will return. 

Andrew Clark is a reporter for IndyStar. Call him at 317-444-6484 or email him at andrew.clark@indystar.com. Follow him on Twitter @Clarky_Tweets.

Contact IndyStar reporter Vic Ryckaert at 317-444-2701 or vic.ryckaert@indystar.com. Follow him on Twitter: @VicRyc.

Call IndyStar digital producer Ethan May at 317-444-4682 or email him at emay@indystar.com. Follow him on Twitter @EthanMayJ.