Three tornadoes touched down in Michigan on Tuesday as tens of millions of people across the central United States braced for severe storms that could bring damage from hail and high winds.
A tornado watch, indicating conditions are ripe for a tornado, was issued by the National Weather Service for much of Indiana, western Ohio, and southern Michigan at 5 p.m. The National Weather Service confirmed three tornadoes in Michigan, injuring at least one person and causing damage. Several buildings, including the FedEx facility in Portage, collapsed.
“Several tornadoes are possible and several severe tornadoes are possible,” the Storm Prediction Center warned. This watch will be in effect until 8:00 PM CDT.
Overall, much of the eastern United States remains at risk of severe thunderstorms on Tuesday, from Texas to Wyoming and as far east as Pennsylvania and the Carolinas, the Weather Prediction Center said. More than 13 million people in Indiana, Ohio and Kentucky are at “increased risk” of experiencing a storm that could produce “very large hail” and strong tornadoes.
Scattered supercell thunderstorms are expected to extend from southern and eastern Indiana into western Ohio by late Tuesday. Supercells are the least common type of thunderstorm and tend to produce severe weather such as damaging winds, large hail and sometimes tornadoes, the National Weather Service said.
Metropolitan areas with the greatest risk of severe weather Tuesday include Chicago and Indianapolis, as well as Cincinnati, Columbus and Louisville, according to the Storm Prediction Center.
Tuesday’s severe weather comes a day after strong storms pounded the Plains region Monday, spawning multiple tornadoes, killing at least one person, destroying buildings and leaving thousands of homes without power.
The threat of severe weather is expected to continue Wednesday across the Ohio Valley and South Central region, according to the Storm Prediction Center.
Developmental status:
∎ As of 7 p.m., more than 50,000 customers were without power across areas affected by the storm in the past 24 hours, according to a database maintained by USA TODAY. That includes about 31,000 customers in Michigan and about 7,000 customers each in Missouri and Oklahoma. That statistic does not include an additional 45,000 customers who lost power in Colorado, where winds were gusting 80 to 90 miles per hour on Monday.
∎ Power outages had improved in Oklahoma, Arkansas and Missouri, with more than 30,000 homes without power as of early Tuesday afternoon, according to the database. Of the three states, Missouri, which was hit by the storm overnight, had the most power outages, with more than 11,000.
∎ Strong winds and low humidity could create a risk of significant fire weather across southeastern Colorado, the Texas/Oklahoma Panhandle region, and much of New Mexico.
∎ Two school districts in northeastern Oklahoma, Bartlesville Public Schools and Barnsdall Public Schools, canceled classes Tuesday due to power outages and road closures. Both communities were destroyed by powerful tornadoes Monday night.
∎ Oklahoma Governor Kevin Stittis heading to Barnsdall on Tuesday afternoon to assess the damage in the small town. “Devastating footage came out of Barnsdall, Oklahoma this morning,” the governor posted on X. “First responders worked through the night conducting search and rescue operations. I will be going to Barnsdall in the late afternoon as resources are directed to the area to assist in the recovery. Keep them in my prayers.” please.”
Tornado hits Oklahoma, killing 1, injuring 7, and damaging dozens of homes
Tornado damage and injuries occurred in the communities of Barnsdall and Bartlesville in northeastern Oklahoma, with at least seven people injured in Barnsdall. CBS News Texas report.
The Oklahoma Highway Patrol reported that the Barnsdall area was also hit by a tornado on April 1, damaging approximately 30 to 40 homes, according to the Oklahoma State Emergency Management Agency. Officials also reported a natural gas leak in Barnsdall.
Crews from multiple jurisdictions were deployed throughout northeastern Oklahoma to assist with medical transportation, traffic control, and search and rescue operations. Flash flooding and building damage were reported in other counties. Oklahoma was hit by tornadoes last week that devastated parts of the state, killing at least four people and injuring 100 others.
The National Weather Service in Tulsa is on the ground assessing damage along the path of the Barnsdall tornado and expects to have a report on Tuesday or later Wednesday.
Massive tornadoes hit southwest Michigan on Tuesday
Two “large and extremely dangerous” tornadoes were confirmed in Michigan just after 6 p.m., the National Weather Service said. One struck near Portage, south of Kalamazoo, and traveled east, and the other traveled northeast near Burlington, about nine miles northwest of Coldwater.
A woman evacuating from a tornado in Portage broke her leg when she was struck by debris as she exited her vehicle, the National Weather Service said. Authorities also reported damage and destruction to buildings.
St. Joseph County Deputy Sheriff Jason Bingaman confirmed Tuesday’s storm damaged several locations in southwestern Michigan County.
“At this time, we are concentrating on our life safety mission using all available resources and will then begin a preliminary damage assessment,” Bingaman said.
The National Weather Service also issued a tornado watch for southeastern Michigan counties, but said it was unlikely parts of the state would be hit by tornadoes.
The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration has tracked 1,219 tornadoes in Michigan since 1950, killing 248 people and causing more than $1.2 billion in property damage. According to NOAA, there were 18 twister incidents in the state in 2023, resulting in two deaths.
Tornadoes struck other Plains states overnight.
Several Plains states were hit by tornadoes, including two each in Iowa, Kansas and South Dakota, and one each in Missouri, Nebraska and Tennessee, according to preliminary information from the Storm Prediction Center. Each item is included.
The storm developed into the afternoon and evening Monday and continued after the National Weather Service Storm Prediction Center issued a series of dire warnings for severe weather in an area stretching from Texas to the Dakotas.
How to stay safe during a tornado warning
There’s no such thing as guaranteed safety, but the Bureau of Meteorology says there are things people can do to stay safe. Increase your chances of surviving a deadly tornado.
- Protect yourself from flying and falling debris, the number one life-threatening hazard.
- Evacuate to the nearest safe place indoors or in the basement.
- Always avoid windows. Do not go to the window or door and look outside.
- Cover your body with thick protective coverings such as mattresses, sleeping bags, thick blankets, and other protective coverings.
- If you have a helmet, wear it to protect your head from debris.
US Weather Watches and Warnings
National weather radar
Contributors: Jana Hayes, Dale Denwalt, Cheyenne Dirksen, The Oklahoman, Kylie Martin, Detroit Free Press
