One dead as tornadoes and severe storms batter Midwest United States

A series of severe thunderstorms swept the Midwest on Thursday, producing hurricane‑force wind gusts of 110‑145 km/h and multiple tornadoes. In Des Moines, Iowa, a 54‑year‑old man was killed when a tree fell on a homeless encampment. Later that evening, a tornado emergency was issued for Marshall County, Illinois, and a tornado ripped through Streator, causing extensive roof damage and injuring at least four people who were taken to hospital with minor injuries.

Emergency officials reported that more than 20 million residents in Iowa, Missouri, Illinois, Indiana, Wisconsin, Michigan and Ohio were placed under tornado watches. Power outages affected over 650,000 homes and businesses across the Midwest and Northeast. The storm system also heightened flash‑flood risk in the region. Mayor Tara Bedei of Streator said, “I think his leg is broken,” referring to a man rescued from a leveled home, and added that there were no additional fatalities at the time.