Three people were killed as powerful storms swept across the US Midwest, triggering flooding and tornadoes and knocking out electricity for nearly 800,000 customers across four states. Winds reached up to 99mph in parts of Indiana, tearing down trees, power lines and buildings.
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Two people died in Indiana, including a four-year-old boy who was killed when a tree crashed into his bedroom in Geneva Township, Jennings County, authorities said.
Another person died after a suspected weather-related house explosion and fire in Portage, about 30 miles southeast of Chicago.
Emergency crews struggled to reach the home as fallen trees and downed power lines blocked roads.
Police chief Mike Candiano said the destruction was so extensive that officers had to park about a mile away and run towards the scene.
“It seemed that every road had a tree down,” he said.
A third person died in Roseville, Ohio, where flooding prevented emergency responders from reaching the individual, Governor Mike DeWine said.
Winds hit 99mph, tornadoes reported near Chicago
The National Weather Service's Storm Prediction Center recorded straight-line winds of up to 99mph in Gary, Indiana. Gusts exceeding 80mph were also reported in the Columbus, Ohio, area.
Two tornadoes were confirmed near Chicago, in southern Cook County and eastern Will County, with damage consistent with EF1 tornadoes.
Officials warned that the severe weather threat was far from over, with flash flooding, damaging winds and possible tornadoes forecast across parts of the Midwest and Ohio Valley.
Ohio declares emergency as flooding worsens
DeWine declared a state of emergency in Perry and Muskingum counties following widespread flooding. Swift-water rescue teams evacuated residents, while flash flood warnings remained in effect across large parts of the region.
“Even after the storms exit the state, flooding will remain a serious concern,” DeWine warned, urging residents to closely follow weather alerts.
Nearly 800,000 without electricity
Almost 800,000 electricity customers across Illinois, Indiana, Ohio and Kentucky remained without power on Wednesday morning, according to PowerOutage.us.
Utility company AEP said more than 2,000 workers, including crews from other states, were deployed to restore power in the Columbus area, where fallen trees and power lines caused widespread disruption.
Columbus Mayor Andrew Ginther warned residents that electricity could remain out for several days, describing conditions as “disaster-like.”
“I want to encourage everybody to plan on a very different next couple of days and rest of the week,” Ginther said.
Lightning strike sends 16 inmates to hospital
Elsewhere in Ohio, 16 people at a prison in Grafton were taken to hospitals after lightning struck as inmates were returning from an evening meal. One person was transported by medical helicopter, according to state authorities.
Officials said recovery efforts were continuing as communities across the Midwest dealt with blocked roads, damaged homes, widespread power outages and the threat of further flooding.
