Portage, Michigan – Strong thunderstorms wreaked havoc across the United States for the second day in a row this week, targeting the Midwest and Ohio Valley on Tuesday.
A series of showers and thunderstorms barreled eastward early Tuesday, temporarily flooding several states in parts of the Midwest. By Tuesday afternoon, new severe storms had developed across the region. Tornado warnings extended from Michigan to Kentucky Tuesday night.
Significant damage was reported in Portage, Michigan, after the storm, which had been issued with a tornado warning, passed through the town just south of Kalamazoo. Images and videos posted on social media showed extensive damage to FedEx facilities in the city. A second tornado warning was issued about an hour later for the city of about 50,000 people.
“Please refrain from traveling to the City of Portage until further notice,” Portage Public Safety officials wrote on Facebook.
Aerial video from storm trackers showed several mobile homes sustained extensive damage after the storm. Some homes were flipped over, while others were shattered by the twister.
A tornado warning, the deadliest tornado warning, was issued for Union City, Michigan, with the National Weather Service announcing a “large and destructive tornado” was moving through the area. Catastrophic damage was expected. There were several reports of trees and buildings being damaged by this story. This was the first time a tornado emergency had been issued in Michigan.
Helicopter video from FOX 32 Chicago shows a barn near Harvard, Illinois damaged by a possible tornado. Rescue workers could also be seen searching through the rubble. FOX 32 reports a barn collapsed and four animals died.
FOX weather storm tracker Brandon Copic released video of a tornado passing through an area near Milroy, Indiana.
In Greenville, Ohio, damage to trees and roofs was reported after a storm that triggered a tornado warning passed through the area. In Mercer, Ohio, trees were reportedly uprooted due to a possible tornado.
Approximately 30,000 power outages have been reported in Michigan. PowerOutage.us.
Tuesday’s forecast
SPC highlighted a larger area where tornadoes could be strong (EF-2 or higher). This includes Indianapolis in Indiana, Columbus and Cincinnati in Ohio, and Louisville and Lexington in Kentucky. More than 13 million people are at level 3 of the five severe weather risk levels.
May is the peak month for tornadoes in the United States.
Severe weather threat grows Wednesday
A number of severe thunderstorms are expected to develop Wednesday from parts of the southern Plains to the central Mississippi, Ohio, and central Tennessee valleys.
The severe weather factor appears to be higher for Wednesday compared to Tuesday, meaning there is a higher chance of tornadoes. The FOX Prediction Center believes some of these twisters could be powerful, long-trajectory tornadoes.
One of the big unknowns is the coverage of thunderstorm activity Wednesday morning. A more widespread development of the storm earlier in the day will limit the chance of severe weather Wednesday afternoon, so this portion of the forecast should be closely monitored.
Some large cities, including Memphis and Nashville in Tennessee, St. Louis in Missouri, and Louisville and Lexington in Kentucky, all face severe weather risks Wednesday.
How to prepare for tornadoes
Severe storms move south and east Thursday
On Thursday, severe storms could develop over a wide area from parts of central and eastern Texas to the lower Mississippi Valley and southeast, potentially extending northeast into parts of the Carolinas and the mid-Atlantic. There is sex.
Damaging winds and hail are likely to be the main threats, but a tornado or two cannot be ruled out.
The FOX Prediction Center said the exact timing of these storms is a bit uncertain as it will depend on severe weather conditions Wednesday, but the most likely time for severe thunderstorms will be in the afternoon and evening.
Which counties in the U.S. are most at risk for tornado damage?
In addition, more flooding is possible, especially across East Texas, which has already experienced devastating flooding over the past week and into the weekend. An additional 2 to 3 inches of rain is expected to fall in the area.