In brief
A day after severe storms wreaked havoc across the Midwest and Plains, forecasters are now warning of more severe weather, including the potential for tornadoes and severe wind gusts. Injuries and structural damages were reported in several regions, with a National Weather Service team set to assess damages and determine the nature of the storms. Residents in affected areas are urged to remain vigilant as forecasts indicate continued severe weather conditions.
OTTAWA, Kan. (AP) — A day after severe storms damaged communities in the Plains and the Midwest, forecasters warned that storms could again bring giant hail, tornadoes, and severe wind gusts to the regions on Tuesday afternoon and evening.
Authorities in Kansas reported several people with minor injuries following the storms that passed through on Monday. In Franklin County, about 50 miles southwest of Kansas City, three individuals sustained minor injuries, while officials in Ottawa, a city of roughly 13,000 residents, reported structural damage but no fatalities. Damage included power lines, trees, and significant damage to several businesses.
A National Weather Service survey team was dispatched to assess the situation in Ottawa to investigate whether a tornado had impacted the area, according to meteorologist Chelsea Picha from the Topeka office.
In adjacent Miami County, at least two people reported minor injuries. Several homes were destroyed, and recreational vehicles along with campers were overturned. Power lines were de-energized in the area as cleanup efforts continued to ensure public safety.
Additionally, three tornadoes touched down in southern Minnesota, resulting in reported damages to local farms, while baseball-sized hail caused significant harm to vehicles.
A tornado was also confirmed near Gilman in northwestern Wisconsin but resulted in minimal damage. Meteorologist Jeff Boyne noted that the rating for this tornado was still to be determined. Neighbors in Steuben reported that a manufactured home lost its roof, though no injuries have been reported state-wide.
Schools in Madison were forced to close Tuesday morning due to power outages, affecting over 25,000 customers across Wisconsin, as the threat of further flooding loomed. Significant river and small stream flooding is expected in the Upper Great Lakes region throughout the week.
In response to heightened water levels attributed to recent heavy rainfall and record snowfall, Michigan Governor Gretchen Whitmer declared a state of emergency for the Cheboygan Lock and Dam Complex, implementing additional precautionary measures to manage the situation.
