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Powerful storms swept across the midwest on Tuesday, leaving three dead and more than 800,000 without power in four states as winds gusts of more than 80mph (130km/h) tore down trees and power lines.
In Indiana, a four-year-old child died after a tree fell on his home in Geneva Township and a person died in a suspected weather-related house explosion in Portage, a city about 30 miles south-east of Chicago.
Mike DeWine, Ohio’s governor, said one person died after flooding obstructed first responders from reaching the individual in Roseville. DeWine urged Ohioans to prepare for more dangerous storms as the National Weather Service warned of flash flooding, tornadoes and dangerous straight-line winds.
“I encourage everyone to pay close attention to local media reports and take these weather warnings seriously,” he said. “Even after the storms exit the state, flooding will remain a serious concern.”
The National Weather Service’s storm prediction center said it had recorded straight-line winds, known as derecho, at speeds of 99mph in Gary, Indiana.
DeWine also signed a proclamation declaring a state of emergency in Perry and Muskingum counties. Severe flooding caused residents to be evacuated by swift water rescue teams.
“Even after the storms exit the state, flooding will remain a serious concern,” the governor said. The National Weather Service warned of “considerable flooding” in Ohio through Friday.
Nearly 800,000 electricity customers across Illinois, Indiana, Ohio and Kentucky were still without power as of Wednesday morning, poweroutage.us reported.
Utility provider AEP said the area of Columbus, Ohio, experienced gusts of more than 80mph and trees falling on power lines. It said it had more than 2,000 workers trying to restore electricity.
Downed trees and power lines from the storms that hit Portage, Indiana, prevented emergency crews from accessing the house fire where a person died.
Many trees were blocking roads, prompting several officers to park a mile away and run toward the home to try to respond. “It seemed that every road had a tree down,” said Mike Candiano, the Portage police chief.
Rob Maynard, Portage’s police captain, said at a news conference, reported by NBC News, that the storms “probably the most severe weather event that any of us here can remember”.
The child died when a tree fell on his bedroom about 3.30pm in Jennings county. Cody Low, the county chief sheriff’s deputy, said: “Contributions are probably wind and the storms that came through this county earlier.”
Elsewhere, 16 people at a prison in Grafton, Ohio, were taken to hospitals after lightning struck as inmates returned from an evening meal. There were two confirmed tornadoes near Chicago, the National Weather Service said.
In Columbus, mayor Andrew Ginther said at a news conference that power could be out for days.
“I want to encourage everybody to plan on a very different next couple of days and rest of the week,” Ginther said. “Things are not going to be fully restored and back to normal later today or tomorrow, the day after that.”
In a post on X, Ginther said: “Neighbors, we’re all in this storm recovery together. Our departments are answering the call, taking care of each other and helping to keep everyone safe.”
