Midwest tornado outbreak kills at least two and sparks widespread damage

A massive tornado outbreak swept the U.S. Midwest early June, producing more than 50 confirmed tornadoes across Illinois, Indiana, Wisconsin, Michigan and Kansas. The storm system generated EF‑3 and EF‑2 tornadoes, including a 165 mph vortex near Kouts, Indiana, and caused at least two fatalities in rural Jefferson County, Illinois, as mobile homes were destroyed. Severe winds, hail and straight‑line gusts also battered the region, knocking down power lines and leaving tens of thousands without electricity. Chicago’s O’Hare and Midway airports were forced into ground stops, resulting in over 1,000 flight delays or cancellations. Governor Kim Reynolds declared a disaster for 11 Illinois counties, and emergency officials in Kansas and Oklahoma reported additional deaths and wind gusts up to 102 mph. The same storm system later moved toward the Northeast, bringing heat, wind and hail threats to major cities.