A confirmed tornado touched down in Bloomington, Indiana on the night of February 19, 2026, carving a path of destruction across the west side of the city and into residential neighborhoods including Fieldstone and Stonechase. No fatalities have been reported, but property damage is extensive.
The storm moved through with sustained winds exceeding 60 miles per hour. In the Fieldstone neighborhood, entire roofs were lifted from homes, gutters and siding were stripped, trees were damaged, and outdoor furniture was scattered across yards. Debris was reported throughout the area, and the damage extended well beyond individual streets.
This reporter and family are among those affected. While our family is safe, we sustained roof and gutter damage, a downed backyard tree, and lost outdoor furniture. Our neighbor’s home was among the hardest hit on our street, with their roof completely gone and garage door destroyed.
Fifth Third Bank and Commercial Damage
Among the most visually dramatic damage was to the Fifth Third Bank branch off Third Street near I-69, where the roof was entirely stripped from the building, exposing the structural framing. The drive-through canopy was heavily damaged and debris was scattered across the parking lot. Storm Track 8 Meteorologist Drew Narsutis, reporting from Bloomington, confirmed the bank as one of the hardest-hit commercial structures from the evening’s storm.
See Jeremy Hogan’s photos on Facebook from The Bloomingtonian
Monroe County Humane Association Hit Hard
The Monroe County Humane Association (MCHA) campus also took a direct hit. In a statement released overnight, Executive Director Andrew Krebbs confirmed significant structural damage to the facility and the total loss of a storage building containing the organization’s food and supply inventory. All animals were safely evacuated and relocated to trusted care partners including Animal Care and Control and The Ranch Cat Rescue.
“To the community, we’ll need you once we assess next steps. Please avoid our campus for now, as it’s unlikely usable in the near future.”— Andrew Krebbs, Executive Director, Monroe County Humane Association
Krebbs also thanked Shane and Scott from Electrical Services, Police Chief Diekhoff and the Bloomington Police Department for helping secure medical supplies, and the many community members who reached out overnight.
⚠️ Please avoid the MCHA campus. If you have an upcoming appointment, MCHA will contact you proactively in the coming days. Physical donations cannot be accepted at this time — follow their official Facebook page for updates on how to help.
Stonechase Neighborhood Near the Airport
The Stonechase neighborhood, located near the Monroe County Airport, also sustained significant damage. Reports from residents and storm spotters describe windows blown in, walls cracked, siding stripped, and interior debris. Meteorologist Todd Klaassen noted the damage was consistent with the radar rotation he had been tracking as the storm moved through.
Monroe County Airport
Unconfirmed reports from community members describe significant damage at the Monroe County Airport, including hangar doors blown completely off, aircraft dragged across the tarmac, and private jets and vintage vehicles reportedly destroyed or overturned.
Lightning Over Rose Hill Cemetery
The Bloomingtonian captured dramatic images of lightning streaking across the sky over Rose Hill Cemetery as severe storms moved through the area, underscoring the intensity of the weather system that preceded and accompanied the tornado.
📷 See the photo on Facebook
Community Response
As word spread overnight, Bloomington’s community response mobilized quickly. Volunteers, licensed electricians, animal care workers, and organizations from as far as Indianapolis and Lafayette offered assistance. Stephanie Miller offered a large building as a potential temporary shelter for MCHA animals. Hal E. Kae indicated a volunteer team from Indianapolis-based PAAW could be deployed.
The outpouring reflects what Bloomington does best — showing up for neighbors when it matters most.
What to Do Now
If your property was damaged, document everything thoroughly with photos and video before cleanup begins, and contact your insurance provider as soon as possible. Monroe County Emergency Management is the primary point of contact for disaster assistance resources. Avoid damaged structures, downed power lines, and debris-filled roads until they are cleared and assessed.
BloomingtonOnline.com will continue updating this story as more information becomes available. If you have photos, video, or damage reports to share, contact us directly.
Media credits: Original video and photography by Dave Martin / BloomingtonOnline.com. Please share original posts directly where possible.
Sources: MCHA Executive Director Andrew Krebbs (official statement), Storm Track 8 / WISH-TV Meteorologist Drew Narsutis, Meteorologist Todd Klaassen, The Bloomingtonian, community reports via Facebook.
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