Deaths, damage reported as severe weather spawns tornadoes, flash flooding in the Midwest

Columbus, Ohio (AP) — Response teams pulled individuals from floodwaters on Wednesday as utility crews worked to repair damage caused by severe storms in the Midwest, which brought tornadoes, heavy rains, and flash flooding. Hundreds of thousands of customers were left without electricity.

On Tuesday, a 4-year-old boy perished when a tree fell onto his home in Geneva, Indiana, according to the Jennings County Sheriff’s Office. In Ohio, Governor Mike DeWine reported a resident in Roseville died during a health emergency due to flooded roads preventing responders from reaching them. Portage, Indiana officials are investigating whether severe weather played a role in a reported house explosion that claimed a life.

Lightning struck a prison complex southwest of Cleveland on Tuesday, injuring 16 incarcerated individuals who were subsequently hospitalized. Four remained hospitalized as of Wednesday, including one with severe injuries. Damage from the storms was reported from Chicago to western Pennsylvania. The National Weather Service confirmed three tornadoes near Chicago.

Flood warnings extended from northern Illinois to eastern Indiana, and flash flood watches were issued from Indiana to parts of Ohio, Kentucky, West Virginia, Virginia, and Tennessee.

Severe thunderstorms and heavy rainfall were expected to continue across the Plains, Midwest, Ohio Valley, and central Appalachians over the next few days. Ohio and western Pennsylvania authorities reported numerous water rescues. Governor DeWine sent 40 Ohio Army National Guard members to assist in two counties east of Columbus, alongside dozens of local departments, including those from West Virginia.

Floodwaters inundated Kaitlyn Rodgers' home in Crooksville, Ohio, reaching knee-deep and stranding her, her husband, and four children. Firefighters rescued them in a boat during the early hours of Tuesday.

In Athens County, Ohio, nearly 300 people called 911 for help on Tuesday, with 42 incidents involving vehicles stuck in floods, and additional calls on Wednesday as high waters headed toward the Ohio River, reported Emergency Management Director Teresa Fouts-Imler. Governor DeWine toured the most affected areas by helicopter on Wednesday and described the flooding as "stunning," calling it the worst in history for the affected communities.