Storm-weary central US braces for one more day of possibly severe weather after tornado outbreak
Multiple devastating tornadoes hit the central United States during a tornado outbreak Friday afternoon. a week of severe storms in the region. A lower threat of severe weather remains possible on Saturday as the same cold front moves eastward.
The multi-state storms came to life and wasted no time in showing off what they could do. At least two tornadoes were tracked in the greater Rochester, Minnesota area, and some were even caught on traffic cameras. No injuries were reported in Rochester’s Olmsted County, but there was extensive damage, the sheriff’s office said. a Facebook post.
Marion, Minnesota, was one of the hardest-hit areas, with approximately 30 homes reportedly damaged, while approximately 10 homes were damaged in other parts of the county, the post said. One video showed damaged roofs on some homes, with debris and tree branches strewn across front yards.
Marathon County in central Wisconsin reported “significant damage” after the tornado passed Friday afternoon, spokeswoman Sarah Severson told CNN. About 75 homes were damaged in the small town of Ringle, and search and rescue crews were helping people trapped in basements, Ringle Fire Chief Chris Kielman said. CNN affiliate WSAW. The chief said some homes were “destroyed” but there were no deaths or injuries.
Extensive structural damage was also reported in Lena, Illinois, where drone footage showed homes with roofs torn off and scattered items inside exposed. No deaths or injuries were reported, but many homes and businesses were “lost,” Stephenson County Board Chairman Scott Helms told CNN late Friday.
Workers clear fallen trees and debris downtown after a tornado ripped through Lena, Illinois on Friday. -Scott Olson/Getty Images
A worker straightens a stop sign that was bent by a tornado in Lena, Illinois. -Scott Olson/Getty Images
A tornado in Missouri passed through Belton, causing widespread damage throughout the city, Police Chief Scott Lyons said at a news conference. He said many minor injuries were reported, but the preparations the city made before the storm helped people prepare.
Widespread damaging winds and flash floods continued to threaten areas already battered by multi-day tornadoes, massive hail and historic inundation.
At least two dozen tornadoes and more than 120 hail reports were reported during the 24-hour period of intense weather between Friday and Saturday mornings.
National Weather Service announced Two survey teams will be sent to survey damage in west-central Wisconsin and southeastern Minnesota on Saturday.
Video credit: Aaron Rigsby/CorClips
Ingredients are aligning for a severe storm outbreak
A new increase in jet stream energy, taking advantage of moisture in the Gulf on Friday afternoon, set the stage for a tornado outbreak in the central United States.
The risk of severe storms from northwestern Oklahoma to western Missouri, including Kansas City and Wichita, Kansas, was at 4/5. Massive hail and devastating winds over 80 mph were the biggest threats in this area.
St. Strong storms were also expected in the Level 3/5 risk area, which extends north and east into eastern Iowa, Wisconsin and Illinois, including St. Louis, Chicago and Madison, Wisconsin.
The storms also posed the threat of flash flooding, including in already-soaked Chicago and Milwaukee, where dozens of water rescues have been carried out in recent days.
Widespread damaging winds ranging from 60 to 90 mph were expected as thunderstorms moved eastward. More than 70,000 homes and businesses were without power Saturday morning in Illinois, Indiana, Missouri and Oklahoma. Power Outage.us.
This system could bring an end to the stormy week by producing a final burst of severe storms with the threat of high winds across the Ohio Valley and Central Appalachians on Saturday.
Saturday’s threat is lower than Friday’s threat, but hail and isolated tornadoes remain possible.
There is also a smaller threat for severe storms across central Texas Saturday afternoon and evening.
The storm-weary central U.S. will finally get some respite starting Sunday as a welcome change in weather conditions brings cooler temperatures.
Great Lakes bracing for more flooding
Friday’s storms come as parts of the Great Lakes face serious flooding following repeated rains this week. The region is experiencing one of the wettest spring starts in history, with snow melting after a very active winter.
Rivers in Michigan and Wisconsin have already reached major or record flood levels in more than 20 places.
Wisconsin’s Wolf River was nearly 12 inches above record flood stage Friday morning. Many streets of the village of Shiocton are under up to a foot of water. Shiocton officials said the “majority of streets within village limits were impassable” as of Friday morning and urged people to stay outside after issuing evacuation orders Wednesday.
Those living in low-lying areas of neighboring Waupaca County also evacuation recommended Due to rising flood waters.
Volunteers use sandbags to protect a warehouse from rising floodwaters in New London, Wisconsin, on Thursday. -Wm. Glasheen/The Post-Crescent/USA Today Network/Imagn Images
In Michigan, officials are closely monitoring several dams that are experiencing high flooding.
A long stretch of the Muskegon River was under major flooding Friday morning; some places were nearing their peak, while others were still rising. The county’s emergency services said the flooding forced a mandatory evacuation for “anyone remaining in the floodplain below the Croton Dam” in Newaygo County.
In Evart, Michigan, the river was slowly receding Friday evening after reaching a record-breaking peak, forcing water rescues. Evart Fire Department.
Cheboygan County Sheriff’s Office Floods and roads washed out were reported Across the county on Friday, he said: “Almost all waterways in the county have overflowed beyond their banks, engulfing docks, roads, yards and in many cases houses.”
in Antrim County, Michigan, officials recommended Residents and businesses downstream of Bellaire Dam to prepare for possible evacuation. Water levels were stable and tended to fall friday afternoon Tuesday after rising about 12 inches to the top of the dam.
flash flood watch It was in effect until Saturday morning due to the potential failure of the Hesperia Dam in west central Michigan. Water levels tended to fall, Hesperia County Fire Department In a statement early Friday morning, he said residents living downstream should “remain vigilant and have an evacuation plan in place should conditions change.”
CNN’s Kate S. Petersen and Rebekah Riess contributed to this report.
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