Midwest US tornado outbreak knocks out power for over 130,000 and kills one

A multi‑day severe‑weather outbreak swept across the U.S. Midwest, placing tens of millions of people in the path of damaging winds, large hail and tornadoes. The National Weather Service issued a rare Level‑4 severe‑weather risk for the Chicago area and a fourth‑degree tornado warning for parts of Illinois, the first such alert since July 2024. At least ten tornadoes touched down, the strongest an EF‑3 near Streator, Illinois, flattening homes and vehicles.

In Des Moines, Iowa, a 54‑year‑old man was killed when a falling tree struck him at a homeless encampment. Power outages affected more than 130,000 customers in the Chicago metro area and hundreds of thousands elsewhere as wind gusts exceeded 80 mph, bringing down trees and utility lines. The storm system is expected to move eastward toward the Great Lakes and the Mississippi Valley, with further tornado and wind threats forecast for Thursday and Friday.

Officials continue recovery efforts, prioritising restoration of critical infrastructure such as hospitals while urging residents to remain shelter‑ready amid ongoing severe‑weather warnings.