US Midwest storms kill one as tornadoes, 99-mph winds cause widespread destruction and power outages
More than half a million people in the Chicago area and northwestern Indiana are without power as thunderstorms and extreme gusts of wind pummel the region.
One person was killed in Indiana as severe storms swept through the US Midwest on Tuesday, according to local reports. The victim's death is believed to be due to a house explosion, though the cause of the fire is currently under investigation. Police officials stated that firefighters were unable to reach the scene in time due to the extensive damage caused by the storm.
Two confirmed tornadoes were reported in Illinois, according to the National Weather Service. The damage from these storms was consistent with that of EF-1 tornadoes. More than half a million people in the Chicago area and northwestern Indiana were left without power as a result of the severe weather, which included winds reaching up to 99 mph in Gary, Indiana.
Forecasters believe that the intense system that caused the damage qualifies as a 'derecho', a prolonged straight-line wind event that can cause extensive damage and travel long distances. The system brought with it excessive moisture, instability, and numerous storms, affecting the Midwest as the outer edge of a "ring of fire".
As of 4:15 PM New York time on August 11, over 200 flights were cancelled at Chicago's O'Hare International Airport, while more than 1,000 flights were delayed. Around 140 flights at New York's John F. Kennedy International Airport were also cancelled.
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