Midwest US tornado outbreak damages buildings, cuts power and cancels flights

A tornado struck Merrillville, Indiana, destroying multiple structures and damaging more than 200 buildings. The same severe storm system swept the U.S. Midwest, prompting tornado warnings for parts of Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Missouri and Wisconsin.

Hundreds of thousands of customers lost electricity as trees and power lines were downed across the region. The storms disrupted air travel, causing over 1,000 flight delays or cancellations at Chicago‑area airports alone. In addition, a heat wave with humid temperatures prompted a health emergency declaration in Philadelphia and advisories in New York City.

Authorities expect power restoration to reach about 80% by the evening of June 13, while forecasts call for continued severe weather and high heat through the weekend.