Six Tornadoes Confirmed After Derecho Hits Iowa, Illinois, and Indiana
A powerful derecho swept through eastern Iowa, northern Illinois, and northern Indiana on August 11, 2026, producing at least six confirmed EF1 tornadoes and causing widespread damage. The National Weather Service (NWS) confirmed three tornadoes in Delaware County, Iowa, and three more in the Chicago area, with two crossing into Lake County, Indiana. The storm system, classified as a mesoscale convective system (MCS), brought straight-line winds and significant damage, with the highest recorded gust reaching 160 km/h (99 mph) in Gary, Indiana. Over 600,000 utility customers in Illinois and Indiana experienced power outages, and flights were temporarily halted at Chicago O’Hare and Midway airports. The event caused extensive tree, power-line, and structural damage, with roads blocked by debris.