Severe storm outbreak poised to clobber central US during relentless week of tornadoes, hail and floods

Key Points:

• A severe storm outbreak is expected Friday across the central US, targeting areas already affected by recent tornadoes, large hail, and flooding, with threats of destructive winds, large hail, and tornadoes especially in Wisconsin, southeastern Minnesota, eastern Iowa, and northern Illinois.
• The storm system is fueled by jet stream energy and Gulf moisture, prompting a Level 3 risk of severe thunderstorms with potential EF3 or stronger tornadoes from northern Texas to northern Wisconsin, including cities like Madison, Chicago, and Kansas City.
• Damaging winds capable of uprooting trees and causing power outages will become the primary hazard by evening, with tornadoes still possible along the storm fronts; a final surge of severe weather may occur Saturday in the upper Ohio Valley before conditions improve Sunday.
• The Great Lakes region is already experiencing significant flooding due to heavy spring rains and snowmelt, with rivers in Michigan and Wisconsin reaching major or record flood levels, leading to evacuations and water rescues near several dams including Croton Dam and the Cheboygan dam complex.
• Officials in Michigan have issued evacuation advisories for residents downstream of stressed dams such as Bellaire Dam and are closely monitoring water levels, as rising waters continue to threaten homes and infrastructure in multiple counties.