# Severe storms and drought in the Midwest > Live situation record from CLSTR: https://clstr.news/situations/weather-patterns-in-the-upper-midwest > Updated: 2026-08-10T19:30:35.000Z. Sources: 30. Developments: 2. Weather patterns in the Upper Midwest have transitioned from a period of forecasted thunderstorms and heavy rain across the Dakotas, Minnesota, and Iowa to a focus on severe storm hazards and significant drought conditions in Minnesota. Initial forecasts indicated a complex of storms capable of producing lightning, strong winds, and small hail, with some areas potentially experiencing hazy sunshine due to wildfire smoke. While these systems brought precipitation, Minnesota has faced ongoing dryness. Recent data from the U.S. Drought Monitor shows that 89 percent of the state is abnormally dry, with 34 percent categorized in severe drought. As of August 10, 2026, the severe weather pattern has escalated into widespread disruptions across the Midwest, East, and Southern Plains. In the Chicago area and northwestern Indiana, wind gusts reaching 80 mph have knocked out power to over 600,000 customers. This follows earlier outages affecting approximately 175,000 homes and businesses across four states, primarily in Virginia. In the Ohio Valley, heavy rainfall has triggered flash flood emergencies and multiple water rescues, specifically in Perry County, Ohio. The Cincinnati region remains under an enhanced risk for severe storms and a high risk for excessive rainfall. Other impacted areas include Kentucky, Indiana, and West Virginia, where wind damage and flash flooding have been reported. In the Northern Plains, including South Dakota and Nebraska, threats of large hail and damaging winds persist. Additionally, Maryland has faced tornado and severe thunderstorm warnings near the Baltimore metro area. Forecasters suggest this active weather pattern may continue through the middle of the week. ## Claims - Approximately 175,000 homes and businesses lost power across four states on Monday night. (disputed by 2 sources) - Over 600,000 customers lost electricity in Illinois and Indiana due to severe weather. (disputed) - A flash flood emergency was issued in Perry County, Ohio, following heavy rainfall. (corroborated by 2 sources) - Multiple water rescues were conducted in Perry County, Ohio, due to flooding. (corroborated by 2 sources) - Storms in the Midwest and East pose risks of destructive winds and power outages. (corroborated by 2 sources) - Flood watches have been issued for over 20 million people in the Ohio Valley and central Appalachians. (single source) - Severe thunderstorm watches were issued for Chicago and Milwaukee. (single source) - The National Weather Service placed the Tri-State area under an 'Enhanced Risk' for severe storms. (single source) - A corridor of damaging winds with gusts up to 70-80 mph is expected in Indiana, Ohio, and Kentucky. (single source) - Severe wind gusts of up to 80 mph are possible in the Chicago area. (single source) - The Cincinnati area is under a Level 3 of 4 risk for excessive rainfall. (single source) - Severe thunderstorm warnings were issued for parts of the Washington D.C. metropolitan area. (single source) ## Timeline ### 2026-08-10: Severe storms trigger widespread flooding and power outages across the US Severe thunderstorms and heavy rain are causing widespread power outages, flash flooding, and damaging winds across the Midwest, East, and Southern Plains, affecting hundreds of thousands of residents. 28 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/minnesota-faces-severe-storms-and-ongoing-drought ### 2026-08-07: Thunderstorms and heavy rain forecast for Dakotas, Minnesota, and Iowa Thunderstorms and heavy rain are expected across parts of the Dakotas, Minnesota, Iowa, and Wisconsin, with potential for severe weather before skies clear and temperatures remain above normal. 2 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/thunderstorms-and-heavy-rain-forecast-for-dakotas-minnesota-and-iowa --- Cite as: Severe storms and drought in the Midwest. CLSTR, https://clstr.news/situations/weather-patterns-in-the-upper-midwest