Illinois hit by 12 tornadoes, three killed

A powerful storm system unleashed at least a dozen tornadoes across Illinois on Tuesday, ripping through towns with winds over 100 mph and dumping torrential rain that triggered flash flooding. The National Weather Service confirmed multiple touchdowns in central and southern Illinois, including a rare EF-3 twister near Springfield that tore roofs off homes and uprooted trees. At least three deaths have been reported so far, with search-and-rescue teams still clearing debris in affected areas.

The storms are part of a larger pattern of extreme weather tied to a stalled jet stream, which has parked a volatile air mass over the Midwest. That clash between warm, moist air from the Gulf and cooler air from Canada has fueled relentless thunderstorm activity for days. The same system has also brought record-breaking heat to the Southwest, where wildfires are spreading rapidly due to dry conditions and gusty winds. Climate scientists warn that these erratic weather patterns are consistent with what’s expected in a warming climate, where warmer air holds more moisture and fuels stronger storms.

Emergency officials say power outages have affected more than 150,000 customers across Illinois, and some areas remain inaccessible due to downed power lines and washed-out roads. The worst damage appears concentrated in rural communities near Springfield and Decatur, where entire neighborhoods are without electricity and water service. Governor J.B. Pritzker has declared a state of emergency and requested federal assistance, while the Federal Emergency Management Agency is coordinating with local agencies to assess needs.

Forecasters expect more storms to roll through the region Wednesday, though they’re not expected to be as severe. Still, the National Weather Service has issued flash flood watches for parts of Missouri and Arkansas as the system drifts east. The bigger concern is the heat wave lingering over the West, where firefighters are battling blazes in California, Arizona, and New Mexico. With no significant rain in sight and temperatures soaring past 110 degrees, the risk of new ignitions remains high. This week’s events underscore how climate change is amplifying both extreme heat and violent storms, stretching emergency resources thin across multiple regions.