Upper Midwest Tornado, Heat Wave Impact Millions \ Newslooks \ Washington DC \ Mary Sidiqi \ Evening Edition \ A powerful Midwest storm, including a confirmed tornado, killed three people and severely damaged a regional airport. Wind gusts up to 106 mph and hail struck North Dakota, Minnesota, and Wisconsin. Meanwhile, nearly 150 million Americans face heat advisories or warnings as intense heat waves spread across the U.S.
Quick Looks
- Tornado confirmed near Enderlin, ND; three fatalities reported.
- Extreme wind and hail disrupted power and damaged airports.
- Bemidji, MN recorded wind gusts reaching 106 mph; structural damage widespread.
- Heavy rainfall led to flooding and gas line leaks in Bemidji area.
- Storm moving across Michigan and into upstate New York with continued wind and hail risks.
- Around 59 million under extreme heat warnings; 84 million under heat advisories.
- Temperatures climbing up to 20°F above normal, with centers opening in Omaha and Minneapolis.
- Heat dome expected to intensify in Great Lakes, Mid‑Atlantic, and Northeast.
Deep Look
A powerful and multifaceted weather system unleashed chaos across parts of the upper Midwest late Friday into Saturday, leaving a trail of destruction, claiming three lives, and disrupting critical infrastructure across multiple states. Simultaneously, an extreme heat wave is gripping nearly half the U.S. population, pushing heat indices well into dangerous territory.
Tornado Rips Through North Dakota, Three Killed
In Cass County, North Dakota, a confirmed tornado struck the town of Enderlin, about 57 miles southwest of Fargo, killing three individuals—two men and one woman—at two separate locations. The National Weather Service (NWS) in Grand Forks verified the tornado event and attributed at least two deaths to a home directly hit by the storm. Crews are continuing to assess the tornado’s path and wind speeds, although its destructive force was immediately evident.
“This was a pretty major event,” said Timothy Lynch, lead forecaster at the NWS Grand Forks office, adding that their teams are actively conducting damage assessments in both Cass and Ransom counties. Sheriff Jesse Jahner confirmed that emergency responders were on-site late Friday, and thousands of residents experienced power outages as utility infrastructure buckled under the storm’s force.
Extreme Winds Slam Minnesota, Causing Widespread Damage
As the storm system expanded eastward, it delivered powerful winds and hail across northern Minnesota and Wisconsin. Bemidji, Minnesota, was particularly hard-hit, with the Bemidji Regional Airport recording gusts up to 106 mph (171 kph), causing severe structural damage. Mayor Jorge Prince described the event as unprecedented: “I cannot ever recall hearing a rushing wind like that,” he wrote in a Facebook post.
When residents emerged from basements and shelters, they found entire neighborhoods with downed trees, damaged homes, and critical infrastructure in disarray. Several gas leaks were reported across the area, and power lines littered roadways. Beltrami County Emergency Management Director Christopher Muller reported widespread flooding in downtown Bemidji, where heavy rain rendered streets impassable and stalled vehicles.
By Saturday morning, many local businesses had announced closures due to ongoing power outages and unsafe conditions. Emergency officials warned that the power disruption could last for days due to the extensive damage to utility infrastructure.
Storm Continues Eastward
The storm system, though slightly weakened, continued its path into Michigan and southern Ontario, Canada. From there, it is forecast to loop back into the United States, targeting upstate New York on Saturday night into Sunday morning. The storm is expected to retain the potential for damaging winds and large hail, although forecasters do not anticipate the same intensity seen in the Midwest.
“We still see a wind and hail threat as the storm moves east, but it’s unlikely to be as robust as what we experienced overnight,” said Brian Hurley, a meteorologist at the NWS Weather Prediction Center.
Extreme Heat Blankets Central and Eastern U.S.
While storms wreaked havoc in the north, nearly 150 million Americans are facing oppressive heat across vast stretches of the United States. According to the NWS, 59 million people were under extreme heat warnings on Saturday, with an additional 84 million under heat advisories. The Northern Plains, Midwest, and parts of the Central Plains are seeing temperatures 15 to 20 degrees Fahrenheit above seasonal norms, with many areas surpassing 100°F.
“This is more typical of July, not June,” said Hurley. “It’s especially jarring because these regions have been cooler and wetter than usual in recent weeks. This sudden spike is dangerous.”
High heat and humidity have created elevated heat index values, pushing cities to open cooling centers in places like Omaha, Nebraska, and Minneapolis, Minnesota. Officials are urging residents, especially the elderly and those without air conditioning, to seek shelter and stay hydrated.
The heat wave is expected to move eastward into the Great Lakes, Mid-Atlantic, and Northeast regions over the next few days. The National Weather Service has categorized the heat risk as “Level 4 out of 4”—its highest classification—in these areas. Health officials warn that prolonged exposure to such heat can lead to serious medical conditions, including heatstroke.
Some Relief in the West
In contrast, parts of the Great Basin and the Southwestern United States are experiencing milder temperatures, with some regions reporting below-normal readings. This shift has provided a brief respite from the punishing conditions that often dominate the region during the summer months.
National Response and Ongoing Risks
Emergency management teams across the affected regions are actively responding to the dual crises—storm recovery and heat relief. Utility companies are working to restore power, while meteorologists continue to monitor the storm system as it crosses the northern tier of the country.
With more severe weather and record-breaking temperatures forecast in the coming days, authorities are warning the public to remain vigilant and stay informed through local weather updates. The situation underscores the increasingly unpredictable nature of weather patterns as climate anomalies become more frequent.
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