UPDATED – 9-23-24

Public Information Statement
National Weather Service Northern Indiana
410 PM EDT Mon Sep 23 2024 /310 PM CDT Mon Sep 23 2024/

…NWS Damage Survey for 09/22/2024 Tornado Event – Correction…

.Correction…Track of EF1 tornado has been corrected to extend
further east to account for damage to the American Legion.

.Overview…

A low topped supercell develop Sunday evening west southwest of Portland.

…West of Portland, IN Tornado…

Rating: EFU
Estimated Peak Wind: 0 mph
Path Length /statute/: 0.21 miles
Path Width /maximum/: 50 yards
Fatalities: 0
Injuries: 0

Start Date: 09/22/2024
Start Time: 07:42 PM EDT
Start Location: 2 NNE Blaine / Jay County / IN
Start Lat/Lon: 40.427 / -85.0383

End Date: 09/22/2024
End Time: 07:44 PM EDT
End Location: 2 NNE Blaine / Jay County / IN
End Lat/Lon: 40.4273 / -85.0345

Survey Summary:
This supercell produced an initial small, short track tornado in a corn field just east of the Salamonie River south of CR W 75 before it dissipated.

..Portland, IN Tornado…

Rating: EF1
Estimated Peak Wind: 110 mph
Path Length /statute/: 2.74 miles
Path Width /maximum/: 75 yards
Fatalities: 0
Injuries: 0

Start Date: 09/22/2024
Start Time: 07:45 PM EDT
Start Location: 2 NE Blaine / Jay County / IN
Start Lat/Lon: 40.4274 / -85.0274

End Date: 09/22/2024
End Time: 07:51 PM EDT
End Location: Portland / Jay County / IN
End Lat/Lon: 40.4344 / -84.9766

Survey Summary:
A second stronger tornado developed immediately downstream near the intersection of W 75 S and Joan Dr and quickly gained intensity as it tracked east northeast, hitting the Jay County High School which sustained considerable roof damage. Several homes nearby and further east on the west side of Portland sustained roof damage along with considerable tree damage noted along the track of this tornado. As the tornado was dissipating it caused extensive roof damage to the second story portion of the American
Legion. Many thanks to the Jay County Emergency Management office for their expert assistance.

EF Scale: The Enhanced Fujita Scale classifies tornadoes into the
following categories:

EF0…..65 to 85 mph
EF1…..86 to 110 mph
EF2…..111 to 135 mph
EF3…..136 to 165 mph
EF4…..166 to 200 mph
EF5…..>200 mph

NOTE:
The information in this statement is preliminary and subject to change pending final review of the event and publication in NWS Storm Data.

(9-22-24) The City of Portland according to the Jay County Sheriff’s Office has suffered damage from a tornado tonight.

Photo thanks to — Jenny Jonas Bricker

National Weather Service Northern Indiana Office-

Reports are that damage has been reported to Jay County Jr.-Sr. High School with part of the roof being ripped off . No tornado warning was in effect for Jay County at the time.

From the Jay School Corporation:

This evening, Jay County Jr-Sr High was impacted by a tornado and sustained significant damage in a portion of the building. There have been no reports of injuries associated with this incident. As a result, the Jay School Corporation will be closed tomorrow, September 23rd, 2024, (no eLearning / Remote Learning).

We are currently conducting a thorough assessment of the site with local emergency management officials. We will provide an update tomorrow afternoon.

Details are sketchy at this time…will update.

Around the area reports have come in of severe weather—