Blab News
Midwest Storms Claim Three Lives, Leave Widespread Damage Across Indiana, Ohio and Illinois
A fierce storm outbreak tore through the Midwest on Tuesday, leaving three people dead and inflicting extensive damage across Indiana, Ohio and Illinois. The violence of the weather was felt in every corner of the region, from the quiet streets of Portage to the flood‑ridden villages of Muskingum County.
In Portage, Indiana, a sudden blast at a home on the corner of Harrison Avenue and Jefferson Street ripped the house apart at about 12:20 p.m. Local police and firefighters described the scene as a violent explosion that left the building in ruins. Fire Chief Chris Crail said that the storm’s high winds and heavy rain made it difficult for crews to reach the scene because many trees and power lines were down. Police Capt. Rob Maynard, a lifelong Portage resident, called the event “probably the most severe weather event that any of us here can remember.” NBC News footage of cars being flipped and a gas station roof blown away underscored the wind’s ferocity.
The second fatality occurred in Jennings County, where a 4‑year‑old boy was killed when a tree fell on a single‑family home in Geneva Township at about 3:30 p.m. Deputy Chief Cody Low said the collapse was likely caused by the same high‑speed winds that affected the area earlier in the day. No other injuries were reported.
Ohio’s lone death came in Roseville, a village straddling Muskingum and Perry counties. Governor Mike DeWine said emergency response crews could not reach the victim, and he declared a state of emergency in both counties because of flooding. DeWine noted that some residents had been rescued from rising water.
Lightning struck a Grafton prison as inmates returned from an evening meal, sending sixteen patients to outside hospitals. The Ohio Department of Rehabilitation and Correction said one inmate was flown by medical helicopter.
The National Weather Service confirmed two EF1 tornadoes near Chicago, one in southern Cook County and another in eastern Will County. Damage reports matched the intensity expected from tornadoes of that rating.
Power outages rippled across the region, leaving almost 800,000 electricity customers in Illinois, Indiana, Ohio and Kentucky without service on Wednesday morning. Most outages were in Ohio and Indiana. AEP said that in the Columbus area, gusts of more than 80 mph knocked down trees that fell on power lines. The utility’s 2,000‑person workforce, bolstered by crews from other states, is working to restore service.
Mayor Andrew Ginther of Columbus described the conditions as “disaster‑like” and warned that power could be out for days. He urged residents to prepare for a prolonged recovery. The Chicago office of the National Weather Service warned of possible 100‑mph winds and urged people in Porter County to seek shelter immediately. Portage Mayor Austin Bonta signed an emergency declaration and said roads were impassable.
In Frankfort, Illinois, a home was destroyed by a suspected weather‑related fire. Fire officials believe the house was struck by lightning or ignited after power lines were blown into it. Homeowner Tammy McKee described a “big boom, bang” and a transformer that landed on the roof.
Across the Midwest, winds exceeded 80 mph in many areas, heavy rainfall produced flash flooding, and trees, power lines and homes suffered widespread damage. The state of emergency in Ohio and the emergency declaration in Portage underscore the severity of the event. The three fatalities highlight the human cost, while the extensive power outages and infrastructure damage illustrate the broader impact on communities in the region. Recovery efforts continue as utility crews work to restore service and emergency officials assess the full extent of the damage.
In Portage, Indiana, a sudden blast at a home on the corner of Harrison Avenue and Jefferson Street ripped the house apart at about 12:20 p.m. Local police and firefighters described the scene as a violent explosion that left the building in ruins. Fire Chief Chris Crail said that the storm’s high winds and heavy rain made it difficult for crews to reach the scene because many trees and power lines were down. Police Capt. Rob Maynard, a lifelong Portage resident, called the event “probably the most severe weather event that any of us here can remember.” NBC News footage of cars being flipped and a gas station roof blown away underscored the wind’s ferocity.
The second fatality occurred in Jennings County, where a 4‑year‑old boy was killed when a tree fell on a single‑family home in Geneva Township at about 3:30 p.m. Deputy Chief Cody Low said the collapse was likely caused by the same high‑speed winds that affected the area earlier in the day. No other injuries were reported.
Ohio’s lone death came in Roseville, a village straddling Muskingum and Perry counties. Governor Mike DeWine said emergency response crews could not reach the victim, and he declared a state of emergency in both counties because of flooding. DeWine noted that some residents had been rescued from rising water.
Lightning struck a Grafton prison as inmates returned from an evening meal, sending sixteen patients to outside hospitals. The Ohio Department of Rehabilitation and Correction said one inmate was flown by medical helicopter.
The National Weather Service confirmed two EF1 tornadoes near Chicago, one in southern Cook County and another in eastern Will County. Damage reports matched the intensity expected from tornadoes of that rating.
Power outages rippled across the region, leaving almost 800,000 electricity customers in Illinois, Indiana, Ohio and Kentucky without service on Wednesday morning. Most outages were in Ohio and Indiana. AEP said that in the Columbus area, gusts of more than 80 mph knocked down trees that fell on power lines. The utility’s 2,000‑person workforce, bolstered by crews from other states, is working to restore service.
Mayor Andrew Ginther of Columbus described the conditions as “disaster‑like” and warned that power could be out for days. He urged residents to prepare for a prolonged recovery. The Chicago office of the National Weather Service warned of possible 100‑mph winds and urged people in Porter County to seek shelter immediately. Portage Mayor Austin Bonta signed an emergency declaration and said roads were impassable.
In Frankfort, Illinois, a home was destroyed by a suspected weather‑related fire. Fire officials believe the house was struck by lightning or ignited after power lines were blown into it. Homeowner Tammy McKee described a “big boom, bang” and a transformer that landed on the roof.
Across the Midwest, winds exceeded 80 mph in many areas, heavy rainfall produced flash flooding, and trees, power lines and homes suffered widespread damage. The state of emergency in Ohio and the emergency declaration in Portage underscore the severity of the event. The three fatalities highlight the human cost, while the extensive power outages and infrastructure damage illustrate the broader impact on communities in the region. Recovery efforts continue as utility crews work to restore service and emergency officials assess the full extent of the damage.
