Severe thunderstorms tore across the Midwest and Plains over the past week, spawning dozens of destructive tornadoes that damaged homes, schools, and infrastructure in at least a dozen states.

The National Weather Service has confirmed 101 tornadoes in April 2026 so far, with ratings ranging from EF0 to EF3. These twisters affected states including Iowa, Illinois, Indiana, Kansas, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, New York, Ohio, Oklahoma, Texas, and Wisconsin, among others. No fatalities occurred, but three people suffered injuries, all from an EF2 tornado in Kansas on April 13.

Friday's storms on April 17 marked one of the most intense events, producing 20 confirmed tornadoes across Minnesota, Wisconsin, Illinois, Kansas, Missouri, Oklahoma, and Vermont. In Ringle, Wisconsin, an EF3 tornado damaged or destroyed about 75 homes, trapping some residents in basements before rescuers freed them. No injuries were reported there, and displaced families received aid at a local middle school.

Lena, Illinois, saw significant structural damage from an EF2 tornado, including impacts to school buildings and residences. The NWS Chicago office confirmed six tornadoes in its area alone, including EF1 twisters near Roscoe, Gibson City, and Buckley that ripped off roofs, siding, and damaged trees and power lines.

Near Rochester, Minnesota, an EF2 tornado damaged multiple homes, prompting a temporary shelter. Another storm flipped a semi-truck north of Elgin and wrecked farmsteads. In Wisconsin's Buffalo County, homes lost roofs and walls, while Marathon County reported hundreds of trees snapped.

Earlier in the week, April 13 storms yielded 13 tornadoes in Wisconsin, Minnesota, Iowa, Kansas, and Missouri. An EF2 near Ottawa, Kansas, injured three people, and another in Hillsdale damaged a campground and storage facilities. April 14 added 25 tornadoes, concentrated in Wisconsin and Michigan, where an EF3 in Vernon County lofted trees into rivers and destroyed barns.

Damage surveys continue as communities assess losses. In Ann Arbor, Michigan, an EF1 tornado blew the roof off a school stadium on April 15. Rural areas bore much of the brunt, with barns, outbuildings, and silos leveled across Iowa, Illinois,s and Wisconsin. Power outages affected thousands, and roads were closed due to downed lines and debris.

The Storm Prediction Center had issued enhanced and moderate risks for severe weather during these events, citing unstable atmospheres and strong wind shear. April tornado activity has exceeded early-season norms, with reports surpassing averages in some regions.

Recovery efforts are underway today, as forecasters monitor lingering storm threats in the Great Plains and Midwest. Officials urge residents to avoid damaged areas and heed warnings amid peak tornado season.