A widespread and dangerous outbreak of severe weather is impacting the central United States, bringing the threat of tornadoes, damaging winds and large hail to millions. Forecasters issued the highest severe storm threat level in months for parts of the Midwest as a powerful storm system developed and intensified Tuesday, extending from Texas to the Great Lakes region, according to CNN meteorologists.
The severe weather system has already caused significant disruption, leaving over 60,000 customers without power, with Texas accounting for roughly half of those outages. The National Weather Service is warning of a full spectrum of hazards, including tornadoes, hail the size of baseballs or even grapefruits, destructive winds, and the potential for flash flooding. This outbreak follows a series of deadly tornadoes last week, highlighting an active start to the severe weather season.
Tornado Confirmed in Illinois, Emergency Declared
A tornado touched down Tuesday evening in the Kankakee, Illinois, area, prompting the Kankakee County Sheriff’s Office to activate its Emergency Operations Center and issue a local emergency declaration. While initial reports indicated no fatalities or missing persons, seven individuals sustained minor injuries, according to Kankakee Mayor Christopher W. Curtis. Several homes and commercial buildings sustained damage, and road closures remain in effect due to downed trees and power lines.
Sheriff Mike Downey urged residents to check on neighbors and loved ones while avoiding unnecessary travel, stating, “I want to remind residents of the area to check on your neighbors and loved ones, but avoid unnecessary travel if possible.” Brandy Peppin, a Kankakee resident, described taking shelter in a crawl space with her dog as the tornado passed, recounting the intense noise and debris impacting her home.
Storm System’s Path and Intensity
The same supercell that produced the Kankakee tornado briefly touched down near Pontiac, Illinois, earlier Tuesday evening. This storm system then moved eastward for over two hours, impacting multiple communities from central Illinois into northern Indiana, ultimately triggering a Tornado Emergency – the highest level of tornado alert – in Knox, Indiana. Just south of Kankakee, hail exceeding 5 inches in diameter was reported, potentially setting a new state record for Illinois.
The storms as well impacted Chicago, where half-dollar-sized hail fell, and the Kansas City metropolitan area reported hail up to 3.5 inches in diameter. Further south, a tornado was observed near Dudley, Texas, and baseball-sized hail was reported in Buffalo Gap, Texas. As of 7 p.m. Central Time Tuesday, five tornado watches were in effect across parts of Texas, Oklahoma, Kansas, Missouri, Iowa, Illinois, Indiana, and Michigan, extending from the Mexican border to Michigan, according to CNN.
Elevated Risk Levels and Forecast
A Level 4 of 5 risk of severe thunderstorms is currently in effect for over 2 million people in northern Illinois and northwest Indiana, including Peoria and Bloomington, Illinois. This is the first time such a high-level alert has been issued since July 28, 2025. The severe thunderstorms are expected to move eastward overnight, extending into more areas of the Great Lakes region, though they are forecast to lose some intensity by morning.
While powerful storms may linger early Wednesday from the lower Mississippi Valley into the Ohio Valley, a renewed threat is expected to develop in the afternoon. A widespread Level 2 of 5 risk of severe thunderstorms will be in effect Wednesday for over 55 million people from Texas and Louisiana to Pennsylvania. Destructive winds are the primary threat Wednesday, with the potential for isolated tornadoes, particularly in the lower Mississippi Valley and parts of Ohio, Pennsylvania, and West Virginia.
Severe thunderstorms are not expected to be widespread on Thursday.
The ongoing severe weather events underscore the increasing frequency and intensity of extreme weather phenomena. As climate change continues, understanding and preparing for these events is crucial for communities across the central US. Residents are encouraged to stay informed about the latest forecasts and heed warnings from local authorities.
What comes next is continued monitoring of the storm system as it moves eastward. Forecasters will be closely watching for any potential shifts in the track or intensity of the storms, and providing updates as needed. Share your experiences and stay safe.
