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Midwest Braces for Severe Storms as Flooding Threatens Michigan
Tornadoes, damaging winds, and large hail possible from Texas to Michigan on Tuesday
Apr. 14, 2026 at 8:16pm
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A powerful storm system brings the threat of tornadoes, damaging winds, and flooding to the Midwest, underscoring the region's vulnerability to the growing impacts of extreme weather.Albany TodayMore than 50 million people across the Midwest are under threat of severe weather on Tuesday, with a level 3 out of 5 'enhanced risk' for storms in parts of Iowa, Wisconsin, Illinois, Indiana, Ohio, and Michigan. Strong tornadoes, damaging winds, and large hail are possible, especially in the south-central Plains and Midwest. Meanwhile, heavy rains have caused flooding in Michigan, with two dams at risk of failing and residents advised to evacuate.
Why it matters
The severe weather outbreak could cause significant damage and disruption across a wide swath of the Midwest, while the flooding in Michigan threatens homes and infrastructure. This highlights the increasing frequency and intensity of extreme weather events driven by climate change, and the need for communities to be prepared and resilient.
The details
The threat of damaging storms has shifted slightly south from where strong winds blew the roofs off several buildings on Monday, including the collapse of a nursing home roof in Lodi, Wisconsin. A level 3 out of 5 'enhanced risk' for severe storms is in place on Tuesday for parts of Iowa, southern Wisconsin, northern Illinois, far northern Indiana, far northwestern Ohio and southern Michigan. Some tornadoes, damaging winds and large hail are also possible for parts of central Oklahoma. In Michigan, heavy rains over the past few days, combined with snow melt, caused flooding on Monday when several rivers, including the Manistee River, overflowed, washing away roads and bridges and damaging homes. Residents living downstream from two Michigan dams were advised to evacuate after seepage was found at the base of the Bellaire Dam and the Cheboygan Dam was at risk of failing.
- On Tuesday, April 14, 2026, severe storms are expected to impact the Midwest and south-central Plains.
- On Monday, April 13, 2026, at least 14 tornadoes were reported across Kansas, Minnesota, Iowa and Wisconsin.
- On Wednesday, April 15, 2026, severe storms are expected to impact Oklahoma, Kansas, Iowa, Pennsylvania and Ohio.
What’s next
Residents in the affected areas should closely monitor weather forecasts and be prepared to take shelter if severe storms approach. Authorities will continue to monitor the situation with the Bellaire and Cheboygan dams in Michigan and may order further evacuations if necessary.
The takeaway
This severe weather outbreak highlights the increasing threat of extreme weather events driven by climate change, and the need for communities to be prepared and resilient. The flooding in Michigan also underscores the importance of maintaining critical infrastructure like dams to protect against the impacts of heavy rainfall and flooding.
