OTTAWA, Kan. (AP) — Forecasters have issued warnings of severe storms, including the potential for giant hail, tornadoes, and damaging winds across the Plains and Midwest as communities recover from yesterday's devastating weather.
In Kansas, authorities reported multiple minor injuries after storms hit the region. Three residents in rural Franklin County were treated for injuries, while the city of Ottawa, about 50 miles away from Kansas City, experienced structural damage. Fortunately, no fatalities were reported. Local officials noted that power lines and trees were downed, with significant damage to several businesses.
A National Weather Service team intends to survey areas in Ottawa to confirm if a tornado touched down, as confirmed by meteorologist Chelsea Picha from Topeka.
Adjacent Miami County reported two minor injuries and extensive damage to homes, with toppled recreational vehicles. Cleanup efforts were underway, and power had to be cut in Hillsdale until it was deemed safe to reconnect.
In southern Minnesota, three tornadoes were confirmed, with damage reports emerging from local farms, and properties experiencing baseball-sized hail that damaged vehicles.
Wisconsin also saw tornado activity, particularly near Gilman, but the damage was reported as minor. A manufactured home had its roof ripped off in Steuben, though no injuries were noted there either. Challenges continue with more than 25,000 customers in Wisconsin without power as morning school closures were enforced.
As heavy rainfall is expected to persist, forecasters anticipate significant river and stream flooding throughout the Upper Great Lakes, particularly impacting Michigan where Governor Gretchen Whitmer declared a state of emergency at the Cheboygan Lock and Dam Complex amid rising water levels.
