Hammer down weather report 2026-08-11 15:01:01

🚨 **Tornado Warning — Southwest Virginia:** Seek shelter now in southwestern Smyth and Grayson counties, including Whitetop and Grayson Highlands State Park, until **3:30 PM EDT**. A tornado-capable storm near Mount Rogers Summit is moving southeast at 15 mph, with quarter-size hail possible. Drivers should not attempt to outrun a tornado—get to a sturdy building and check the NWS for the most recent information.

**Ohio & eastern Indiana:** Severe storms are producing damaging winds of **60–70 mph**.
• **I-74** from southeastern Indiana into southwest Ohio, including the Hamilton/Middletown area, is under a warning until **3:45 PM EDT**; expect considerable tree damage and possible road blockages.
• **I-70, I-71 and I-75** around Dayton, Springfield, Xenia and toward Columbus may see 60 mph winds through **3:15–3:45 PM EDT**. Slow down, avoid downed trees and power lines, and be ready for sudden visibility drops.
• Severe thunderstorm watches cover much of Ohio, eastern/southeastern Indiana, northern and central Kentucky through **8 PM EDT**.

**Flooding is a major travel concern in Indiana and Ohio:**
• Northern Indiana, including Logansport, Peru, Rochester and Winamac, has received **3–6+ inches** of rain this afternoon, with radar-estimated totals of **4–10 inches** over the past 24 hours. Low-water crossings may be impassable through **5:30 PM EDT / 4:30 PM CDT**.
• Northwest Indiana around Merrillville, Valparaiso and Hobart has ongoing flooding after 1–2 inches of rain; warning remains until **4:30 PM CDT**.
• Around Indianapolis, Shelbyville, Greenfield and New Castle, minor road flooding is possible through **6 PM EDT**.
• Southeast Ohio—including Athens, Belpre, Nelsonville, Albany and Coolville—remains under a Flash Flood Warning until **6:15 PM EDT** after 2–4 inches of rain. Flooding may affect streets, highways, underpasses, creeks and low-lying areas.

**Virginia & West Virginia:** In addition to the tornado threat, heavy rain is causing low-area flooding in Tazewell and Russell counties, Virginia, and Summers County, West Virginia. Mercer County, West Virginia, including Bluefield and Princeton, faces 60 mph winds and heavy rain that may cause ponding and hydroplaning. A severe thunderstorm watch remains in effect for Buchanan and Dickenson counties, Virginia, and McDowell County, West Virginia, until **5 PM EDT**.

**Illinois:** Severe storms with 60 mph winds and quarter-size hail affect east-central Illinois, including **I-57 near mile markers 254–257**, through **3 PM CDT**. Road flooding is also possible around Waukegan, North Chicago, Gurnee, Mundelein and Highland Park through **2:45 PM CDT**.

**North Carolina & Alabama:** Western North Carolina’s Burke and Caldwell counties face 60 mph winds and quarter-size hail through **3:15–3:45 PM EDT**. Northern Cherokee County, Alabama, may have minor flooding in low-lying and poor-drainage roads through **4 PM CDT**.

Never drive through flooded roads—turn around, don’t drown. Reduce speed in heavy rain, allow extra following distance, and avoid stopping beneath trees or near power lines. Submit weather and road-impact reports to **888-IS-4TIPS (888-474-8477)** or HammerDownHeadlines.com / HammerDownNews.com. Check local conditions before traveling.