Daijiworld Media Network- Washington

Washington, Jun 20: Chaos unfolded across parts of the United States on Wednesday as the National Weather Service (NWS) issued tornado warnings for several states, including Ohio, Illinois, and Indiana, following a wave of severe thunderstorms and gusty winds that disrupted normal life and caused power outages in many areas.

In Lorain County, Ohio, a tornado warning was in effect until 9:00 pm, with neighboring areas including Akron, Cuyahoga Falls, and Stow placed under alert until 9:45 pm. The NWS also issued a severe thunderstorm watch for central Ohio as a massive storm line stretched from the Lake Erie islands to west of Mansfield and Marion, sweeping rapidly eastward.

Meteorologist Rick Garuckas from the Cleveland NWS warned residents that the entire area remained under the threat of violent weather through the evening. In response, authorities urged locals to remain in safe places, avoiding windows and upper levels of homes.

Meanwhile, out west in California, the Mojave Desert Slopes braced for a high wind warning valid from Thursday evening through early Sunday morning. Winds between 30 to 40 mph, with gusts up to 60 mph, were expected to batter major highways including US 395 and State Routes 14, 58, and 178, threatening to down trees and power lines and complicating travel for high-profile vehicles.

Thousands of residents in Franklin and Licking counties—including areas like Columbus, Reynoldsburg, Gahanna, Pataskala, and Newark—were left without electricity as American Electric Power (AEP) reported extensive disruptions due to fallen lines and snapped poles.

While no injuries were reported as of the latest updates, officials continue to monitor weather developments closely. Citizens are urged to follow safety advisories, especially in regions still under active alerts.

For the uninitiated, a tornado is a rotating column of air that touches the ground, formed when warm, moist surface air meets cooler upper air, creating a rotating updraft known as a mesocyclone. These natural phenomena are capable of wind speeds exceeding 300 mph, bringing widespread destruction in minutes.

As the nation watches the skies warily, emergency services and weather officials continue to stay on high alert, ready to respond to any worsening situations.