INDIANAPOLIS -
A severe thunderstorm watch is in effect until 11:00 pm for central Indiana. Areas to the north of Indianapolis saw severe storms earlier in the afternoon, but more storms are possible Friday night.
The threat of severe weather caused some events to be moved or rescheduled.
The Tindley v. Broad Ripple High School football game was moved up from 7:00 pm to 4:30 pm. Play was suspended at one point because of weather.
Also, XFEST with Cake, Metric and the Wombats at the Lawn at White River State Park was relocated to Klipsch Music Center Friday evening.
The free showing of "Dolphin Tale" at the Indiana History Center for 7:00 pm will be moved inside. It was originally planned to be on the outside terrace beginning at dusk.
"The most important thing is to make sure kids are safe," said Mike Hannan, Broad Ripple High School athletic director.
Long before the rain moved in, the Broad Ripple-Tindley game was moved from a 7:00 pm start to 4:30 pm, the decision prompted by the BMW Championship at Crooked Stick.
"We figured when the PGA moved up everything three hours they knew something was going on," said Hannan.
At Perry Stadium they were hoping the cross-township showdown between Perry Meridian and Southport would kick-off on time at 7:30 pm. But they too were ready to play defense.
"We usually open the gates at 6:30, but if it's 6:30 and there's a threat, we're not letting them in and sending them back to their cars," said Marty Johnson, Perry Meridian athletic director.
And if the weather turns during a game?
"At the first sight of lightning we clear the facility. It's an IHSAA rule we all comply with. If the game can be played that night so be it. If not, we come back and finish the next day," said Johnson.
He says their evacuation plan calls for directing people to the nearby gymnasium. The athletic directors say while they've always taken the threat of severe weather seriously, last year's Indiana State Fair tragedy has heightened awareness.
"We know with lightning it's wise get to get everyone out from those aluminum bleachers. We think ahead. It's not like a surprise," said Johnson.
Watches and warnings
The following counties were included in the watch expiring at 6pm:
ADAMS ALLEN BLACKFORD BOONE CARROLL CASS CLAY CLINTON DELAWARE FAYETTE FOUNTAIN FRANKLIN FULTON GRANT HAMILTON HANCOCK HENDRICKS HENRY HOWARD HUNTINGTON JAY JOHNSON KOSCIUSKO MADISON MARION MIAMI MONTGOMERY MORGAN OWEN PARKE PUTNAM RANDOLPH RUSH SHELBY TIPPECANOE TIPTON UNION VERMILLION VIGO WABASH WARREN WAYNE WELLS WHITLEY
These counties were included in the watch expiring at 11pm:
HANCOCK HENDRICKS JOHNSON MARION MORGAN RUSH SHELBY CLAY OWEN PARKE PUTNAM VERMILLION VIGO
The biggest threats with these storms will be lightning, large hail, winds up to 60 mph and flooding. There is a slight risk of an isolated tornado.
See all watches and warnings here.
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Photo courtesy via @LadyBugBiggs on Twitter - storms in Lafayette
Grant County
The field at Broad Ripple High School
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