April 2026 Midwest Tornado Outbreak

Overview

A persistent severe weather pattern unleashed a devastating tornado outbreak across the Midwestern United States from April 13 to 17, 2026. The storm system affected over 50 million people across a 1,000-mile stretch of the central U.S., producing more than 20 confirmed tornadoes across Wisconsin, Illinois, Minnesota, Missouri, Michigan, and Iowa. The most powerful twister — an EF-3 with winds estimated above 165 mph — tore through Buffalo County, Wisconsin, leveling homes and leaving a trail of catastrophic damage. In the town of Ringle, Wisconsin, approximately 75 homes were damaged and search-and-rescue teams pulled people from basements of demolished structures. In Lena, Illinois, a high-end EF-2 multi-vortex tornado with 130 mph winds damaged homes, a high school, and an elementary school. Belton, Missouri also sustained significant tornado damage. In Michigan, eight tornadoes were confirmed between April 14 and 15, including two EF-1 twisters that struck Southeast Michigan communities. Governor Whitmer declared a state of emergency for 33 counties plus additional cities. FEMA is assessing damage, the American Red Cross opened shelters across affected states, and volunteer disaster response teams are deploying for debris removal and rebuilding.