Overview
On November 22, 1992, Indiana was hit by 15 tornadoes which destroyed dozens of buildings, damaged hundreds more with damage estimates of 12 million dollars. Twelve of these were in Central Indiana. Fortunately, there were no fatalities and only six injuries. The tornadoes occurred between 2 pm and 6 pm EST in central and eastern Indiana and, at the time, represented the largest tornado outbreak for November. These tornadoes were spawned by a strong weather system that yielded 94 tornadoes from Texas to North Carolina that weekend.
Central Indiana Tornadoes:
Plot of Tornado Paths
(Paths Are Approximate. Click to Enlarge)
Tornado - Pimento
Vigo County
| Date |
November 22, 1992 |
| Time (Local) |
2:06 PM EST |
| F Rating |
F1 |
| Est. Peak Winds |
N/A |
| Path Length |
0.1 (approximate) |
| Path Width |
45 yards |
| Injuries/Deaths |
0 |
|
Summary:
A small tornado touched down briefly and ripped the metal sheeting from several buildings. Damage was estimated at $25,000.
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Track Map
 
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Tornado - Near Ellettsville
Monroe County
| Date |
November 22, 1992 |
| Time (Local) |
2:35 PM - 2:44 PM EST |
| F Rating |
F3 |
| Est. Peak Winds |
N/A |
| Path Length |
5.3 miles |
| Path Width |
880 yards |
| Injuries/Deaths |
3 / 0 |
|
Summary:
The tornado destroyed 3 houses, 7 mobile homes, and 3 barns. Many other structures were damaged. The most extensive damage occurred about 2.5 miles north of Ellettsville. Property damage was estimated at $487,700 and crop damage at $66,000.
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Track Map
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Tornado - Near Morton
Putnam and Montgomery Counties
| Date |
November 22, 1992 |
| Time (Local) |
2:50 PM - 3:15 PM EST |
| F Rating |
F3 |
| Est. Peak Winds |
N/A |
| Path Length |
12 miles |
| Path Width |
880 yards |
| Injuries/Deaths |
1 / 0 |
|
Summary:
The tornado moved mostly through open farm country. Numerous houses, barns, and outbuildings were damaged. A few homes were severely damaged or destroyed. Many trees, telephone lines were downed, and damage was done to the corn crop. Total property damage was about $1.3 million.
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Track Map
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Tornado - Near Martinsville
Morgan County
| Date |
November 22, 1992 |
| Time (Local) |
2:55 PM - 3:22 PM EST |
| F Rating |
F3 |
| Est. Peak Winds |
N/A |
| Path Length |
15 miles |
| Path Width |
880 yards |
| Injuries/Deaths |
0 |
|
Summary:
The path of the tornado was intermittent. A meat market was damaged in Hindsville. Numerous homes were damaged in Centerton along with 2 power line towers toppled. The tornado came close to damaging a power plant. The tornado attained its maximum strength about midway between Martinsville and Centerton, where it was moving through mostly open country. Property damage was estimated at $1 million.
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Track Map
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Tornado - Near Parkersburg
Montgomery County
| Date |
November 22, 1992 |
| Time (Local) |
3:07 PM - 3:15 PM |
| F Rating |
F1 |
| Est. Peak Winds |
N/A |
| Path Length |
2.5 miles |
| Path Width |
220 yards |
| Injuries/Deaths |
1 / 0 |
|
Summary:
The tornado destroyed a mobile home, causing a serious injury to the occupant.
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Track Map
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Tornado - NE of Indianapolis
Marion County
| Date |
November 22, 1992 |
| Time (Local) |
3:45 PM - 4:04 PM EST |
| F Rating |
F3 |
| Est. Peak Winds |
N/A |
| Path Length |
9 miles |
| Path Width |
440 yards |
| Injuries/Deaths |
0 |
|
Summary:
The tornado moved east-northeast for 5 miles before moving northeast for the remaining 4 miles. The most extensive damage was done during the first 4 miles. Two hundred houses were damaged, and a few were destroyed. The tornado weakened as it crossed I-465 at 56th street. The tornado downed 95 ft tall power poles. Numerous trees were downed at Fort Harrison. Damage was estimated at $4 million.
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Track Map
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Tornado - Near Shelbyville
Shelby County
| Date |
November 22, 1992 |
| Time (Local) |
4:05 PM - 4:27 PM EST |
| F Rating |
F3 |
| Est. Peak Winds |
N/A |
| Path Length |
10 miles |
| Path Width |
50 yards |
| Injuries/Deaths |
0 |
|
Summary:
Three houses, 5 barns, and several outbuildings were destroyed. Several homes and businesses sustained damage. A semi-truck was overturned as the tornado crossed I-74.
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Track Map
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Tornado - Near Lapel
Hamilton and Madison Counties
| Date |
November 22, 1992 |
| Time (Local) |
4:20 - 4:25 PM EST |
| F Rating |
F2 |
| Est. Peak Winds |
N/A |
| Path Length |
2 miles |
| Path Width |
100 yards |
| Injuries/Deaths |
0 |
|
Summary:
Barns were damaged or destroyed, and trees were downed. The top of a silo was blown off.
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Track Map
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Tornado - Near Clarksville
Hamilton County
| Date |
November 22, 1992 |
| Time (Local) |
4:23 PM EST |
| F Rating |
F1 |
| Est. Peak Winds |
N/A |
| Path Length |
1 mile |
| Path Width |
100 yards |
| Injuries/Deaths |
0 |
|
Summary:
The tornado downed trees and power lines.
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Track Map
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Tornado - Near Waynesburg
Decatur County
| Date |
November 22, 1992 |
| Time (Local) |
4:34 PM - 4:45 PM EST |
| F Rating |
F2 |
| Est. Peak Winds |
N/A |
| Path Length |
4.2 miles |
| Path Width |
50 yards |
| Injuries/Deaths |
0 |
|
Summary:
The tornado destroyed a commercial building and damaged others. It also damaged or destroyed several farm buildings and damaged houses. Numerous trees and power poles were downed. Property damage was estimated at $450,000.
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Track Map
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Tornado - Near Morristown
Shelby, Hancock, and Rush Counties
| Date |
November 22, 1992 |
| Time (Local) |
4:45 PM - 5:00 PM EST |
| F Rating |
F2 |
| Est. Peak Winds |
N/A |
| Path Length |
7.5 miles |
| Path Width |
50 yards |
| Injuries/Deaths |
0 |
|
Summary:
The tornado damaged homes and barns, as well as downed trees.
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Track Map
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Tornado - North of Anderson
Madison County
| Date |
November 22, 1992 |
| Time (Local) |
4:54 PM EST |
| F Rating |
F1 |
| Est. Peak Winds |
N/A |
| Path Length |
0.2 miles |
| Max Width |
65 yards |
| Injuries/Deaths |
0 |
|
Summary:
The tornado ripped a roof off of a storage building.
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Track Map
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Radar:
In 1992, central Indiana was served by a WSR-74C radar. There are no archives of actual radar images from this radar for this event. The radar showed 5 different intensities (VIP levels). Radar operators often drew radar overlays of what was on the radar. The first two images below are radar overlays drawn by a radar operator at the time. They only show a few of the intensities (VIP levels), but they give an idea as to the shape of the storms.
The third image is from a radar summary product that was produced on a national level. This image comes from the November 1992 Storm Data publication.
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Radar Overlay at 3:18 PM EST.
Click here for a large version. |
Radar Overlay at 4:16 PM EST.
Click here for a large version. |
Radar Summary Image at 4:35 PM EST |
Environment
An upper level system along with a strong surface low pressure system moved northeast across the area and brought the severe thunderstorms and tornadoes. Many of the images below are from the Storm Prediction Center's Tornado Outbreak Interface
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Figure 7: 300mb Wind Speed at 1 PM EST
(Larger Version) |
Figure 8 Visible Satellite Image from 1 PM EST.
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Figure 9: Trace of Barometric Pressure at the Indianapolis International Airport.
(Larger Version).
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Figure 10: Watches Issued for Central Indiana
(Larger Version) |
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