Severe Storms Continue to Threaten Plains and Midwest

Tue Apr 14 2026 20:57:38 GMT+0000 (Coordinated Universal Time)

Communities are on high alert as severe storms approach the Plains and Midwest regions, following Monday's damaging events that left several injured and caused structural damages.

In the wake of severe storms that caused injuries and damage across the Plains and Midwest, forecasters are predicting another round of dangerous weather today. Kansas authorities reported multiple injuries, with significant structural damage in Ottawa. Furthermore, tornadoes and large hail have already affected areas in Minnesota and Wisconsin, prompting continued vigilance from residents and emergency services.

OTTAWA, Kan. (AP) — A day after severe storms damaged communities in the Plains and the Midwest, forecasters warned that storms could bring giant hail, tornadoes, and severe wind gusts to the regions again on Tuesday afternoon and evening.

Authorities in Kansas reported several people with minor injuries after storms passed through on Monday. Three individuals sustained injuries in rural Franklin County, about 50 miles southwest of Kansas City, according to the sheriff’s office. In Ottawa, a city of approximately 13,000 people, officials reported structural damage but noted no fatalities or severe injuries. Power lines and trees were downed, damaging several businesses, including one that lost its exterior walls.

A National Weather Service survey team is scheduled to assess damage in the Ottawa area on Tuesday to determine whether a tornado touched down there, according to meteorologist Chelsea Picha from Topeka.

In neighboring Miami County, two individuals were reported injured, with several homes destroyed and recreational vehicles overturned, as stated by the county sheriff’s office. Power lines were de-energized in Hillsdale until cleanup could be conducted safely.

Three tornadoes touched down in southern Minnesota, causing damage to farms, and there were reports of baseball-sized hail damaging vehicles, according to Jake Beitlich, a meteorologist from the Twin Cities weather office.

A tornado also touched down near Gilman, Wisconsin, affecting a small community without causing significant damage. The National Weather Service continues to evaluate the severity of the tornado.

Schools in the Madison area were closed Tuesday morning due to power outages that left over 25,000 Wisconsin customers without electricity early in the day, per reports from poweroutage.us.

Forecasters expect substantial flooding in rivers and small streams through the end of the week in the Upper Great Lakes region, with the heaviest rainfall anticipated overnight into Wednesday.

In Michigan, Governor Gretchen Whitmer declared a state of emergency last Friday at the Cheboygan Lock and Dam Complex due to elevated water levels from spring runoff and recent rain. More pumps are being added to help manage the water levels at the dam.