Tornadoes Rip Through Illinois, Wisconsin

Multiple tornadoes hit parts of the U.S. Midwest on Friday evening, April 17, as a powerful storm system moved across the region. Officials said the same system also produced large hail and damaging winds, triggering a wide corridor of tornado warnings stretching from Texas to the Great Lakes.

Emergency services responded to dozens of warnings as conditions deteriorated into the evening. In Wisconsin, authorities issued a rare “particularly dangerous situation” alert, underscoring the severity of the threat as storms intensified.

In Lena, Illinois, a reported tornado knocked down trees and damaged vehicles. Police Chief Brian Lamphere said the damage was significant in a limited area, and officials reported no fatalities.

The Stephenson County Sheriff’s Office urged people to avoid Lena, citing impassable roads caused by downed trees and wires. The advisory highlighted the immediate public-safety risks that can follow tornado impacts, including blocked emergency access and hazards from damaged power infrastructure.

In Wisconsin, the Buffalo County Sheriff’s Office reported power outages and roof damage to several homes, and said there were no injuries. In Kronenwetter, Wisconsin, officials reported road closures after trees and power lines fell, adding to disruptions for residents and local services.

As of late Friday afternoon, meteorologist Andrew Moore of the Storm Prediction Center said there were 12 ongoing tornado warnings and 10 initial tornado reports. Forecasters identified two main areas of concern: the Plains, including Kansas City, and the Illinois-Iowa-Wisconsin intersection, where the strongest tornadoes were expected.

Forecasters said the storms were projected to persist through the evening and overnight. The outbreak followed a week of severe weather in the Central United States that included a 140 mph tornado in Hillsboro, Wisconsin, on Tuesday and flash flooding in Milwaukee on Wednesday.