Severe Midwest storms leave over 1 million without power and cause two deaths
Torrential winds and tornadoes across Illinois, Indiana, Ohio and Kentucky knocked out electricity for more than a million customers and resulted in two fatalities in Indiana.
Power outages affected more than 1 million customers in four Midwestern states on Tuesday after storms with gusts exceeding 80 mph toppled trees and downed power lines. The damage was most severe in Indiana and Ohio, where emergency crews struggled to reach affected areas blocked by debris.
In Indiana, a house explosion in Portage and a tree that fell on a home in Jennings County each claimed a life. Police Deputy Cody Low attributed the child’s death to the storm’s wind, while Portage officials described the event as possibly the most severe weather many residents have experienced.
"When this call came in, everything was breaking free," Fire Chief Chris Crail said of the response challenges.
"It seemed that every road had a tree down," Police Chief Mike Candiano added, noting officers had to park a mile away and run to the scene.
Illinois reported two EF1 tornadoes near Chicago, causing localized damage. Ohio’s utility provider AEP deployed over 2,000 workers, including out-of-state crews, to restore electricity after gusts knocked down trees on power lines.
Mayor Andrew Ginther of Columbus warned that power could remain out for days and urged residents to prepare for an extended disruption.
"I want to encourage everybody to plan on a very different next couple of days and rest of the week," Ginther said.
A lightning strike at Ohio’s Grafton Correctional Institution injured 16 inmates, prompting hospital transfers, though no deaths were reported. Governor Mark DeWine declared emergencies in two counties east of Columbus due to flooding and ongoing rescues.
Portage Mayor Austin Bonta declared a local emergency as roads became impassable, and video showed a trailer being pushed by the wind. In Frankfort, Illinois, a home was destroyed after a suspected lightning-induced fire, with a transformer falling onto the roof.
The National Weather Service warned of possible 100-mph winds and advised residents in affected counties to seek shelter.