Severe Weather Causes Tornadoes, Flooding, and Power Outages Across Midwest
Severe storms have swept across the Midwest, causing widespread damage, power outages, and fatalities. Tornadoes, heavy rainfall, and flash flooding have impacted areas from Illinois to western Pennsylvania. The National Weather Service confirmed three tornadoes south of Chicago, while heavy rains set a daily record in Dayton, Ohio, with 2.07 inches (5.25 cm). Nearly 700,000 customers lost power across Illinois, Indiana, Ohio, Kentucky, and West Virginia. Floodwaters have prompted numerous rescues, including in Athens County, Ohio, where emergency services received over 300 calls for help. The storms are part of a 'ring of fire' weather pattern, bringing instability and excessive moisture to the region. Source time: Wed, 12 Aug 2026 11:53:43 GMT.