Severe Midwest Derecho Brings 100+ mph Winds and Flash Flooding
A powerful derecho swept across the Midwest on Tuesday, August 11, 2026, bringing life-threatening weather conditions to northern Illinois, Indiana, Ohio, and parts of West Virginia and Virginia (source: weather.com). The storm system produced winds exceeding 100 mph, widespread flash flooding, and multiple radar-confirmed tornadoes. Rainfall rates reached 1 to 1.5 inches per hour, exacerbating flood risks, particularly in urban areas like Cincinnati, Ohio, and Charleston, West Virginia. The storm's rapid movement and intensity caused significant damage, including power outages affecting nearly 875,000 customers. The derecho's impact was likened to a 40-mile-wide tornado traveling over 100 miles, according to ITC Midwest's president, Dusky Terry.