Deaths, damage reported as severe weather spawns tornadoes, flash flooding in the Midwest

Severe storms have wreaked havoc across the Midwest, causing tornadoes, heavy rains, and flash flooding

More than 700,000 customers were without power Wednesday morning in Illinois, Indiana, Ohio and Kentucky, according to poweroutage.us.

The storms brought torrential rain and extreme winds, with a 99 mph (159 kph) gust recordedChicago and parts of the wider Midwest were hit by severe storms on Tuesday, leaving more than 500,000 customers without power, grounding flights and causing widespread damage across Illinois and north-western Indiana.Power outag

Severe weather knocks out power in Illinois, Indiana and Ohio as ‘ring of fire’ strikes Midwest  AP News

A heavy rain watch comes into force at 10am and runs across Wednesday.

CHICAGO (AP) — Severe weather cut power to more than half a million people in the Chicago area and northwestern Indiana as perilous thunderstorms and extreme wind gusts pummeled the region Tuesday.

Severe storms bring two tornadoes and up to 99 mph winds to Chicago area, weather service says  Chicago Tribune

The powerful 7.4-magnitude earthquake was also felt in neighbouring Ecuador, with Colombia's president vowing a significant government response.

Foreign Minister Gideon Sa'ar shared his concerns about the earthquake in a statement and offered his Colombian counterpart any assistance Israel could provide in the aftermath of quake.

More severe storms are on the move with reported tornados touching down across Illinois. Extreme heat is sweltering nationwide as wildfires continue to rage across the West. NBC’s Shaquille Brewster reports and TODAY’s Angie Lassman tracks the latest forecast.

From flash flooding to wildfire danger, extreme weather targets US  USA Today