ENVIRONMENT

Severe storms threaten large swaths of Central U.S.

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United States: National and local forecast offices issued watches and advisories across North Texas, the Midwest and Ohio this week, as strong to severe thunderstorms moved eastward Thursday into Friday, bringing risks of damaging winds, hail, flooding and isolated tornadoes in specified counties and metro areas. Forecasters warned immediate hazards including 45–75+ mph wind gusts, hail and possible EF2+ tornadoes, with a Tornado Watch in parts of North Texas until midnight ET and wind advisories in Indiana through the evening; officials urged residents to monitor SPC, NWS, and local alerts as storms progress into the weekend.

Prepared by Olivia Bennett and reviewed by editorial team.

Timeline of Events

Morning: Warm front lifts north, producing scattered showers in Central Illinois.
Late morning–afternoon: First round of strong storms with damaging wind threat in Central Illinois.
Afternoon: Wind advisory issued for central Indiana with expected gusts up to 50 mph.
Late Thursday: Thunderstorms develop over eastern Iowa and advance east toward Chicago and the Great Lakes.
Friday–Saturday: A more potent system moves into Ohio and central states, maintaining severe storm potential.

Why This Matters to You

Severe storms like these can disrupt your daily life. They pose risks to your safety and property. Power outages, road closures, and flooding are possible. Check your local weather updates and stay alert.

The Bottom Line

Your safety is paramount. If you're in the affected areas, heed the warnings. Secure your property, stay indoors, and avoid unnecessary travel. This is a good time to review your emergency plan. Worth forwarding if you know someone in the storm's path.