Strong storms caused damage in parts of the central U.S. Tuesday and spawned tornadoes in Kansas and Iowa. An EF-1 tornado touched down near the town of Richland, Kansas, reaching speeds of up to 100 mph and causing damage to buildings and trees. Two people were injured when their RV flipped over during the tornado. In central Iowa, a tornado demolished a barn and damaged other buildings in Dallas County. Ping pong ball-sized hail was also reported in Bloomfield. Iowa State Trooper Paul Gardner caught footage of a tornado in Pocahontas County, sharing it on social media. At least two homes sustained substantial damage in Yarmouth and Mediapolis, Iowa, with no reported injuries.
The central U.S. was under threat of severe weather through Tuesday, with thunderstorms expected in Kansas, Missouri, Iowa, and northwestern Illinois, potentially with large hail and damaging winds. In Missouri, a Chicago-bound American Eagle flight returned to Kansas City International Airport due to a possible lightning strike soon after takeoff. A camper was blown over and the roof was ripped off a building near Smithville Lake in western Missouri, with an 11-year-old boy and his parents escaping to a campground bathroom. In Iowa, the fast-moving storm that hit Sioux County spawned multiple small tornadoes, damaging backyard play equipment and causing downed trees and power lines in several communities near Kansas City.
A tornado watch expired for LaSalle and DeKalb counties in Illinois and counties farther west, as well as in south-central and southwest Wisconsin. The Chicago White Sox vs. Kansas City Royals game was postponed due to heavy rain, with a double-header scheduled for Wednesday. Meteorologist Mike Bettes of The Weather Channel noted an active storm threat in Milwaukee, Chicago, and eventually Michigan and Ohio. The forecast for Wednesday included a severe weather threat across Detroit, Fort Wayne, Columbus, and Cleveland. The threat of severe weather was expected to continue through the night, with active storms pushing farther eastbound and southbound.
In conclusion, severe storms in the central U.S. caused damage and tornadoes in Kansas and Iowa, with reports of injuries and property damage. Severe weather warnings were issued for multiple states, with the potential for large hail, damaging winds, and additional tornadoes. The impact of these storms was felt across the region, with communities facing downed trees, damaged buildings, and power outages. The response from authorities and meteorologists emphasized the importance of staying vigilant and taking necessary precautions during severe weather events to ensure safety and minimize the risk of harm.
