Severe storms swept across the Midwest, leaving three people dead and more than one million electricity customers without power across Illinois, Indiana, Ohio, and Kentucky, according to Iheart. The destructive weather system brought wind gusts exceeding 80 mph, heavy rain, and tornadoes, causing widespread property damage and disrupting travel.
Midwest Storms Leave Three Dead and Over One Million Without Power
In Indiana, two fatalities were reported. A 4-year-old boy was killed when a tree fell on his home in Jennings County, located in Geneva Township. Jennings County Chief Sheriff’s Deputy Cody Low stated that wind and storms contributed to the child’s death. Another person died in Portage in a suspected weather-related house explosion that sparked a fire. Widespread downed trees and power lines in Portage delayed firefighters from reaching the scene, with police officers parking a mile away and running to the location. Portage Police Chief Mike Candiano noted that it seemed every road had a tree down. Portage Police Captain Rob Maynard described the storms at a news conference as probably the most severe weather event that any of us here can remember.
In Ohio, a resident of Roseville died during a health emergency when first responders were unable to reach the individual due to flooded roads, according to Ohio Governor Mike DeWine. Additionally, 16 people at a prison in Grafton, Ohio, were injured by lightning as inmates returned from an evening meal and were subsequently taken to local hospitals. Governor DeWine declared a state of emergency for Perry and Muskingum counties following severe flooding that required swift water rescue teams to evacuate residents.
Widespread Power Outages and Disaster-Like Conditions in Columbus
Utility tracking data showed that more than 1 million customers across Illinois, Indiana, Ohio, and Kentucky lost electricity at the height of the severe weather, with nearly 800,000 customers still without power by Wednesday morning. Utility provider AEP reported that the Columbus, Ohio, area experienced wind gusts surpassing 80 mph alongside trees falling on power lines. AEP deployed more than 2,000 workers, including crews from other states, to restore electricity.
In Columbus, Ohio’s most populated city, Mayor Andrew Ginther described the aftermath during a news conference as disaster-like conditions.
Ginther warned residents that power outages could persist for days, urging the public to plan for a very different rest of the week. In a post on X, Ginther stated, Neighbors, we’re all in this storm recovery together. Our departments are answering the call, taking care of each other and helping to keep everyone safe.
Tornado Confirmations and Continuing Flood Threats
The National Weather Service confirmed that three tornadoes touched down near Chicago, causing significant damage. The National Weather Service’s storm prediction center also recorded straight-line winds, known as a derecho, reaching speeds of 99 mph in Gary, Indiana. In Frankfort, Illinois, a home where Tammy McKee lived with her elderly mother was a total loss following a suspected weather-related fire.
Meteorological hazards persisted beyond the initial storm front. Flash flood warnings were put into effect for 16 million people in the area. Governor DeWine and the National Weather Service warned that serious flooding would remain a major concern in Ohio even after the storms exited the state, with considerable flooding forecasted to continue through Friday.
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