# Powerful Derecho and Tornado Outbreak Tears Through Central U.S. Over April Weekend

About this episode

The episode discusses a powerful derecho and tornado outbreak that affected the central U.S. over the weekend of April 17-18, 2026, detailing the damage and impact of the storms.

Listeners, over the weekend of April 17-18, 2026, a powerful line of severe thunderstorms swept across the central United States, producing widespread destructive winds and multiple tornadoes in what meteorologists describe as a classic **derecho-like event** combined with a tornado outbreak. EigenRisk reports that the storm system carved a broad corridor of damage from Minnesota through Wisconsin, Illinois, Iowa, and into Missouri, with peak activity hitting hardest Saturday afternoon into evening. The National Weather Service in Green Bay confirmed an **EF3 tornado** near Ringle in Marathon County, Wisconsin, packing winds up to 145 mph along a 13-mile path up to 600 yards wide. It wrecked about 75 homes, snapped countless trees, and caused extensive structural damage. NWS Chicago tallied at least seven tornado tracks in northern Illinois, striking near Harrison, Roscoe, Mendota, Livingston County, Gibson City, and Buckley—mostly EF1s but still devastating. Beyond twisters, straight-line winds gusted over 70 mph in many spots, toppling power lines, damaging barns and vehicles, and hurling debris like missiles. Heavy rains dumped 4 to 6 inches across northern Illinois and…

Topics covered

• severe weather
• tornadoes
• derecho
• storm damage
• natural disasters

Keywords

• derecho
• tornado outbreak
• severe thunderstorms
• storm damage
• flash floods
• wind gusts
• National Weather Service

Mentioned in this episode

Organizations: EigenRisk, National Weather Service

Places: Central U.S., Minnesota, Wisconsin, Illinois, Iowa, Missouri, Ringle, Marathon County, NWS Chicago, Harrison

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