Forecasters say that our area is under a marginal risk for severe weather Wednesday and it could get windy this afternoon and evening.

According to the National Weather Service in Indianapolis, we could see gusty winds this afternoon and evening as well as Wednesday with gusts of up to 40 mph today and 45 tomorrow. There is also a chance of thunderstorms late Wednesday with some possibly severe. Damaging winds could be the biggest threat from the storms.

A wind advisory goes into effect in our area from 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. Wednesday.

Emergency officials say that you should make sure you have multiple ways to receive weather warnings and warn that tornado sirens are meant to be heard outdoors and may not be audible in a building. You should also make sure you know a safe space to go in your home or at work if severe weather hits.

A chlorine leak at a Columbus City Utilities water plant led authorities to request people stay out of the area yesterday morning.

According to the city-owned water company, Water Plant No. 2, near the Bartholomew County Fairgrounds on Spears Street, experienced a valve failure, resulting in a slight chlorine leak around 11 a.m. Monday morning. .

Columbus Fire Department’s Hazardous Response Team went to the site. Authorities recommended that travelers stay clear of the area while the leak was handled.

Firefighters gave the all-clear at about 11:30 in the morning. The chlorine gas leak was contained, and the leaking valve was repaired.

Authorities say there was no immediate danger or threat to our community.

Authorities are confirming that a tornado touched down in Jackson County during the weekend’s storms. The National Weather Service is confirming that four tornadoes touched down in southern Indiana between Friday night and Saturday morning.

An EF-1 tornado with wind speeds of up to 105 mph was on the ground in Jackson County, touching down south of Brownstown at about 5:14 a.m. Saturday morning. That was south of E County Road 500 S and east of S Base Road. A mobile home was damaged on East County Rd 500 S with the entire roof torn off and the walls collapsing. The tornado traveled 2.2 miles before lifting near E County Rd 400s and State Road 39.

Straight line winds of up to 80 mph caused further damage to barns near County Road South 300E.

An EF-1 tornado is also confirmed in Orange County with wind speeds up to 110-miles-per-hour. Two EF-0 tornadoes touched down in Lawrence County with wind speeds estimated at 75-miles-per-hour. The National Weather Service remains in the area conducting surveys of damage.

TTWN Media Networks contributed to this report. Tornado path map courtesy of National Weather Service in Indianapolis.

River Valley Legal Aid is holding a free phone in legal clinic for residents of its eight county district today.

If you take part you will have a brief consultation with a volunteer attorney to answer general questions, to offer legal information or to receive other advice over the phone.

The phone clinic will be from 3 to 5:30 p.m. To take part, you must first register between noon and 2 p.m. by calling 812-378-0358.

A flood warning continues for East Fork White River at Seymour and areas downstream.

According to the National Weather Service in Indianapolis, the flood warning has been extended through Wednesday evening with minor flooding ongoing and minor flooding expected.

The agency says that our area saw 1 and a half to two inches of rain over the weekend. As of this morning, the river was at 13 feet, a foot above the 12 foot minor flood stages. It is expected to crest at 13.7 feet by this afternoon before heading back down. It should drop back below flood stage by early Wednesday afternoon.

You can look for flooding updates on our website: https://1010wcsi.com/weather-forecast/#flooding

You can learn more about the Columbus Indiana Huey helicopter at an event scheduled for next week.

The Bartholomew County Historical Society will be hosting a talk with members of the nonprofit Columbus Indiana Huey organization next week as the next in the Evelyn Seward Speaker Series. The talk with Jim Ogilvie, Michael Shores, and Gary Galbraith will explain the group’s mission to educate the community on the history of the vehicles, to honor all active military and veterans, to support air relief in times of need and to give everyone an opportunity to actually fly in a Huey helicopter.

Huey helicopters began production in 1956, and saw heavy use in the Vietnam War era.

Funding for the event is provided by the Evelyn Seward Speaker Series endowment. This is the first speaker series event so far this year.

The talk will be at the airport hanger from 6 to 7:15 p.m. the evening of Thursday March 27th. The hanger is at 2045 W. Taxiway Drive and you should take the second gate off of North Warren Drive. After the talk you will be able to look into the helicopter.

Ivy Tech Community College is hosting a series of upcoming information sessions at the Columbus campus for its Accelerated Associate Program (ASAP). These sessions are designed to provide prospective students and their families with detailed insights into the program, its benefits, and the enrollment process.

The ASAP program at Ivy Tech Community College offers students the opportunity to earn an associate degree in just 11 months, providing a fast-track to further education or entering the workforce. The program is tailored for recent high school graduates and aims to support students in achieving their academic and career goals efficiently.

The upcoming info sessions will be held virtually over Zoom with an in-person tour scheduled in April. The info sessions will be at noon March 17th, noon March 31st, and 6:30 p.m. April 15th. The in-person tour will be from 6-7 p.m. April 23rd at the Ivy Tech Columbus Moravec Hall, 4475 Central Ave., Columbus.

During these sessions, attendees will have the opportunity to learn about the program structure, meet faculty members, and ask questions about the application process and financial aid options. The in-person tour will also provide a chance to explore the campus facilities and get a feel for the learning environment at Ivy Tech Columbus.

To RSVP for one of the info sessions or the tour, visit link.ivytech.edu/ASAPsessions.

Dry vegetation and light winds led to a property damage fire after hot embers escaped a back-yard burn pit at a River Road home.

On Friday at 10:18 am Columbus Firefighters were called to the 3600 block of River Road for a report of a structure fire. While responding, firefighters received additional information from 911 dispatchers that the fire originated in a burn pit and had spread to the lawn before extending to a wooden privacy fence. When firefighters arrived on the scene, smoke and flames were visible from the rear of the residence with the fire damaging approximately 20 feet of privacy fence. Firefighters deployed a hand line to the rear yard and quickly brought the flames under control.

Firefighters spoke with the property owner who stated that sticks were burning in a portable fire pit when embers left the pit and contacted dry pine needles. The flames quickly moved across the dry pine needles and spread to a nearby brush pile situated next to the fence. The flames intensity left burned pine needles in a live tree located in a neighboring yard with damage visible approximately 15-20 feet above the ground. Also damaged was a bench located near the fire pit. The cause of the fire was ruled accidental and No injuries were reported. Firefighters confirmed that the open burn container used by the property owner met the open burning regulation requirements within the City of Columbus. Damages are estimated at less than $ 2500.

While open burning within approved containers is permitted, the CFD recommends to avoid open burning when dry conditions and wind conditions are unfavorable. Dry lawn vegetation is fuel for fire, and winds can spread fire rapidly. CFD recommends that all dry vegetation is removed from any area where open burning will take place. In addition, pre-wetting of the area around a burn pit can reduce the chance of inadvertent fire spread.

Below are the City of Columbus regulations for open burning:

1. Open burning of rubbish is prohibited.
2.  Open containers having a bottom, sides and a ¼ inch mesh top are approved for burning.
3.  The minimum required distance from a structure is 15 feet.
4.  A minimum of one portable fire extinguisher with a 4-A rating or other approved on site fire extinguishing equipment such as dirt, sand, water barrel, garden hose or water truck shall be available for immediate utilization.
5.  Burning material shall be constantly attended by a person knowledgeable in the use of the fire extinguishing equipment required by this section and familiar with any limitations that restrict open burning.  An attendant shall supervise the burning material until the fire has been extinguished.

The Johnson County Community Foundation received a generous gift donation of over $1 million dollars from James  Kocher, marking the largest living donor
contribution in the Foundation’s history. The donation establishes the James R. Kocher
and Evelyn J. Kocher Fund, and  an endowment fund, dedicated to supporting seniors, addressing food
insecurity, and assisting veterans’ organizations.

The fund will provide essential support to local nonprofits that work to improve the quality of life for
seniors, ensure access to food for those in need, and aid organizations that serve veterans.

Minor Flooding is forecasted this week along the East Fork White River in Seymour. Recent rain over the past few days has caused some areas of the East Fork White River to flood. The flooding is expected through Thursday afternoon.  On Sunday at 6:45am the flooding stage was at 9.1 FT. The river is expected to rise above flood stage and crest at 14.1 Ft. by early Tuesday Afternoon. It is expected to fall by Thursday morning. Officials ask everyone to turn around and don’t drown when encountering flooded roads. Motorists should not attempt to drive around barricades or drive cars through flooded areas. For more information visit www.weather.gov/ind.