Violent tornadoes ripped across the Midwest on Friday, triggering urgent severe weather warnings for millions as one twister near Milwaukee forced the evacuation of an air traffic control tower at the city’s busiest airport.
The National Weather Service confirmed multiple tornadoes among more than 20 reports across Wisconsin, Illinois, Minnesota and Oklahoma, with sightings stretching from the outskirts of Green Bay to Ponca City.
Residents in areas under urgent tornado warnings were told to take immediate cover as authorities warned that mobile homes could be destroyed by wind and hail up to the size of golf balls, with homes, businesses, vehicles and trees all facing the threat of 'complete destruction.'
Storms are expected to keep developing Friday evening along a broad swath from Wisconsin to Texas, according to weather forecasts.
More than 50 million people live in this stretch of the country, which is now being lashed with hurricane-level winds and thunderstorms, according to Fox Weather.
One of the most battered areas in the central US was Lena, Illinois, a village of just under 3,000 people.
The Stephenson County Sheriff's Department confirmed that at around 3:40pm CDT, a tornado moved through Lena, causing 'extensive damage' to homes, businesses and infrastructure. No fatalities or injuries have been reported.
Students at a local elementary school had to hunker down as the storm came through. Officials said the exterior of the school was severely damaged but that all the children and staff remained safe.
Numerous roadways are obstructed by debris and downed power lines, forcing local authorities to restrict access to Lena so they can do the work of stabilizing the area.
As the storms continue to gain power through the night, there have been an increasing number of power outages throughout the country - mostly in Missouri, Illinois and Wisconsin.
Between those three states, there are more than 73,000 homes without electricity, according to PowerOutage.us.
Residents have already shared photos of houses and other structures that were ravaged by the storms, which have been going on intermittently throughout the week.
A storm chaser, only identified as Matt, shared a video with the Daily Mail of a massive tornado that touched down near the Minnesota towns of Chester and Marion.
Multiple homes and structures in Buffalo County, Wisconsin - across the Mississippi River from Chester and Marion - were completely destroyed or severely destroyed by a tornado, according to photos shared by the local sheriff's office.
The sheriff said there were no injuries, adding that cleanup and power restoration efforts are underway with the help of several agencies.
There were also reports of a tornado touching down in Belton, Missouri, a town just south of Kansas City.
The siding from multiple homes in the neighborhood have been ripped off, according to FOX 4.
Trash cans and other debris was seen scattered around the sidewalks and streets. Belton officials have said they are aware of the damage, urging residents to call 911 if they are experiencing an emergency.
The Cass County Sheriff's Office shut down South Mullen Road, which leads into Highway 58 in Belton, due to downed power lines.
Another concern for the millions of people living under storm watches are the thunderstorms and the ensuing floods.
Meteorologists with AccuWeather warned that the highest risk of severe thunderstorms will be seen in Wisconsin, Iowa, Illinois, Missouri and Kansas.
Major cities, including Chicago, Minneapolis, St Louis, Kansas City, Madison, Wichita, Oklahoma City and Dallas, are expected to experience severe thunderstorms imminently.
Kansas City is currently under a flash flood warning, with the NWS receiving reports of stalled cars being stuck on Interstate 70.
The NWS has issued various flood warnings and watches, including in central and west Michigan, much of Wisconsin, the Chicago area of Illinois, and parts of Kansas and Missouri.
AccuWeather Senior Meteorologist Dan Pydynowski said in a statement: 'People in the path of these storms should stay alert and be ready to act.'
'Make sure your phone is charged, alerts are on, and your storm shelter or safe place is ready and stocked with emergency supplies. Never drive on flooded roads, especially at night,' Pydynowski added.
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