Staff Writer
The Tribune-Star
TERRE HAUTE — Nearly two months of drought came to a crashing halt Thursday evening as thunderstorms passed through the Wabash Valley. The National Weather Service reported that Terre Haute remained on a severe thunderstorm watch through midnight as strong winds and rain swept through the area. Some portions of Illinois reported damage from winds, and portions of Indiana were without power throughout the evening. According to Duke Energy’s website, 1,993 Vigo County customers were without electricity at 8:30 p.m., in addition to 257 in Sullivan County and 60 in Clay County. Crews worked throughout the evening to restore electricity. Meteorologist Joe Skowronek of the NWS reported winds of 51 miles per hour were documented at the Terre Haute International Airport-Hulman Field that evening, with “golf ball” sized hail found on the city’s north side at 5:16 p.m. Wind speeds were observed in excess of 60 miles per hour in Sullivan County, and a location in Hymera recorded 1.9 inches of rain by 8:33 p.m. NWS instruments at THIA-Hulman Field reported 2.29 inches of rain for the day by 8 p.m. with 2.27 inches falling after 5 p.m. when the big storm moved in. Today’s forecast is partly cloudy with high temperatures between 75 and 80 degrees. Conditions should be dry through next week, Skowronek said, noting temperatures should remain in the middle 70s and lower 80s.
