Midwest Storms Cause Widespread Damage and Power Outages

First responders and utility crews worked through the night to clear roads blocked by downed trees and wires after severe storms hit the Midwest. These storms unleashed tornadoes, heavy rains, and flash flooding, leaving hundreds of thousands without power.

Tragically, a 4-year-old boy died when a tree fell on a home in Geneva, Indiana. In Ohio, a resident of Roseville died during a health emergency because first responders were unable to reach them due to flooded roads. A house explosion in Portage, Indiana, killed one person, and officials are investigating whether the storms played a role.

Lightning struck a prison complex near Cleveland, injuring 16 inmates who were hospitalized. Their conditions were not immediately available.

The National Weather Service reported the damage extended from the Chicago area to western Pennsylvania. They warned that severe thunderstorms and heavy rainfall are expected to continue over the next few days in the Midwest, Ohio Valley, and central Appalachians.

As of Wednesday morning, more than 700,000 customers were without power in Illinois, Indiana, Ohio, and Kentucky. The weather service confirmed three tornadoes in counties south of Chicago. Water rescues took place during heavy rains in several states, including Ohio, where Governor Mike DeWine deployed 40 Ohio Army National Guard members to assist in two counties east of Columbus.

In the Chicago area, tornado warning sirens blared as dark skies approached. Flights at Chicago’s two major airports were temporarily halted, leading to delays. Social media posts showed flooded roads, tangled power lines, and homes with severe roof damage in the Chicago area and nearby Indiana.

“No power. It was very scary. We were down in the basement,” said Javid Jenkins of Homewood, a Chicago suburb. “We’re built for snow. We’re built for cold. We’re not built for this.” Jenkins, 54, sought gas for a generator to save food in his refrigerator.

A wind gust of 99 mph was recorded in Gary, Indiana, with other areas reporting gusts of 80 mph or more. Weather experts identified the event as a derecho, a prolonged wind event causing damage similar to tornadoes or hurricanes.

“Total devastation. No roof,” said Kerry Hourigan from Tinley Park, another Chicago suburb. “Stupid thing, but my focus was I just bought a new barbecue grill, and I have no idea where that is. It’s disappeared.”

Meteorologist Scott Baker explained that the Midwest experienced a “ring of fire,” bringing heavy moisture, instability, and storms. Dayton, Ohio, set a record with 2.07 inches of rain, surpassing a mark set in 1915. Forecasters predict continued rain will pose flood hazards in the Ohio Valley through early Friday.

White reported from Detroit. Associated Press writers Dave Collins in Hartford, Connecticut, Jennifer Garske in Washington, Sudhin Thanawala in Atlanta, and Christopher Weber in Los Angeles also contributed.