Storm winds over 90 mph buffet Great Plains, Midwest

More than 96,000 homes in Michigan, Wisconsin, and Iowa were without power on Tuesday morning after gale-force winds swept through the Great Plains and Midwest, according to poweroutage.us. Northwest Iowa reported the strongest winds on Monday night, with gusts reaching 99 mph in Sioux Center, Iowa, and 92 mph in nearby Orange City. The winds caused widespread tree damage and power outages, according to local news. Gales also damaged buildings across northern Iowa and flipped over camper vans, some of which were occupied, at Clear Lake State Park, according to KIMT-TV 3 News.

The storm system fell short of being classified as a derecho, or inland hurricane, although the National Weather Service on Monday forecasted that one was likely. But the storm did bring high winds, heavy rain, and flash flooding to parts of Minnesota, according to Minnesota Public Radio. Other strong thunderstorms were expected to sweep across the Midwest and Great Plains on Wednesday, possibly bringing high winds as well as hail and heavy rainfall, the National Weather Service said on Tuesday.