The midwest is currently being hit by a devastating derecho.
Over 450,000 homes and businesses are without power in Nebraska and Iowa, The Weather Channel reported Monday.
"Residents in the Midwest felt the wrath of a derecho which left widespread damage and hundreds of thousands in the dark Monday afternoon," the network reported. "The severe storms marched eastward across Nebraska and Iowa, bringing wind gusts as high as 100 mph that easily downed large trees and caused some structural damage."
As the fast-moving storm heads east, it is threatening Chicago.
"A damaging derecho, or long-lasting, significant windstorm, was approaching the greater Chicago area Monday afternoon with widespread damaging winds and likely power outages," The Washington Post reported. "The National Weather Service Storm Prediction Center issued a rare 'particularly dangerous situation' severe thunderstorm watch for eastern Iowa, northern Illinois, extreme northwest Indiana, and southern Wisconsin, where 'scattered significant gusts to 100 mph' were 'likely.'”
Postings on social media showed the damage the storm has already inflicted -- and warnings of what may be yet to come:
7.8 million people just received this warning: "This is an EXTREMELY DANGEROUS SITUATION with tornado like wind spe… https://t.co/n99NZAYMEA— Brian Lada (@Brian Lada)1597090254.0
Debris did a number on this brand new Ford Explorer. We spoke to a man who was inside the building when the storms… https://t.co/bmSyeTlybP— Chris Gothner KCCI (@Chris Gothner KCCI)1597087519.0
2x4s punctured through a home in Perry 😳 #iawx 📸: Jennifer Pickering https://t.co/IgjgMcw99K— Taylor Kanost (@Taylor Kanost)1597088400.0
Insane footage from the derecho moving through eastern Iowa this morning. This is from Belle Plaine, Iowa which is… https://t.co/rku820HuyQ— Tyler Roney (@Tyler Roney)1597081441.0
Utter distruction SW Cedar Rapids IA @KCRG_FirstAlert @SaraFlynnWX @KopelmanWX @KGAN_Weather @WXSchnack… https://t.co/UcMk2YaS0Z— Mike Graber (@Mike Graber)1597082728.0
Here’s the video from when the massive tree limb broke off the ash tree in the backyard. #iawx Background noise is… https://t.co/kzE2B0lp0B— Amanda C (@Amanda C)1597079816.0
Roof of a building at least partially torn off in Tama, Iowa. #iawx https://t.co/nZCjSag5Bf— Frank Carcaterra (@Frank Carcaterra)1597080013.0
The widespread damage to the Iowa corn crops right before harvest season is another angle to the #derecho. This co… https://t.co/bpa8owWFiV— Bill Karins (@Bill Karins)1597089553.0
Semi Tractor Trailer has blown over this afternoon on 251 in Peru Illinois @NWSQuadCities @NWSChicago https://t.co/lQyQrXObLK— Classic Country WGLC (@Classic Country WGLC)1597089731.0
Well, can't say I've seen this before. A lakeshore flood warning has been issued for the Michigan shores of Lake M… https://t.co/8gDXtlxkhs— Greg Diamond (@Greg Diamond)1597094515.0
This #derecho is about to blast across Lake Michigan and could cause a phenomenon known as a "meteotsunami" https://t.co/fBFRfETqEJ— Brian Lada (@Brian Lada)1597093543.0
#Chicago August 10, 2020. 4 pm. Incoming. https://t.co/jbt2yuIZNe— Beau Dodson (@Beau Dodson)1597093256.0
Power flashes? https://t.co/qF4PfBanjd— MJVentrice (@MJVentrice)1597094224.0
Peak gust here at the Chicago water intake was 72 mph. Watch out for a sieche/meteotsunami with fluctuating water… https://t.co/e8F3lPR5aZ— bill steffen (@bill steffen)1597095055.0
Hancock Hit at 423pm on Monday in Chicago #lightning #storm #weather #ilwx #chicago #news https://t.co/P8SsS3VB9M— Barry Butler (@Barry Butler)1597095071.0
