Upper ⁢Midwest Storms Cause Deaths, damage, and ⁢Power outages

⁤⁢ Updated June 21, 2025
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A powerful storm system brought tornadoes⁢ and high winds to the upper ‍Midwest, resulting in three deaths, widespread damage, ⁤and⁢ extensive power outages. The storms impacted North Dakota, northern ⁤Minnesota, and northern wisconsin. Simultaneously, much of the United States is experiencing a heat wave, with nearly 150 million people under heat advisories or warnings.

In North⁣ Dakota, Cass County Sheriff Jesse Jahner reported ⁣that two men and one woman died Friday in the ‍enderlin area, about 40⁣ miles southwest of⁢ Fargo. The National weather Service (NWS) in Grand Forks confirmed that a‍ tornado⁤ caused the fatalities. ⁣Timothy Lynch, lead ⁣forecaster with the NWS, indicated that crews are still assessing the tornado’s strength and wind speeds, noting its impact on Cass and Ransom counties.

Gov. Kelly Armstrong issued a statewide disaster declaration after the NWS confirmed a second tornado near spiritwood, approximately 80 miles west of Fargo. The declaration aims to facilitate the state’s response to the ‍widespread damage.

Minnesota also experienced severe weather. The NWS reported wind gusts up to 106 mph at Bemidji Regional Airport. Bemidji Mayor Jorge Prince described the intense winds and the resulting ⁣damage to trees and homes.Christopher Muller, Beltrami County emergency management director, reported ‍flooded streets and stalled vehicles in downtown Bemidji. Many businesses in the area closed due to power outages, and Muller ‍warned of potential long-term disruptions.

brian Hurley,a meteorologist with⁣ the ⁣National Weather Service’s Weather Prediction Center,stated that the storm system,in a weakened state,moved into parts of Michigan and was expected to affect upstate New⁣ York⁤ with continued wind and hail threats.

Meanwhile, Alaska is battling numerous wildfires, with⁢ over 100 fires ignited since Wednesday⁣ due to warm, dry conditions⁤ and‍ frequent thunderstorms. Sam Harrel, with the state’s division of Forestry and ⁣Fire Protection, noted that while many fires⁤ are⁢ in wilderness areas, some threaten populated regions, prompting evacuations near ⁣Fairbanks and Denali National Park.

⁢ “We still have people out investigating and gathering data on what happened. It was a pretty major⁢ event,” Lynch told the Associated Press.
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What’s next

Assessments of the damage caused by the storms continue across the affected states. Residents are urged to remain ⁣cautious, especially ⁣those in areas facing potential long-term power outages.Fire crews ‍in Alaska will continue battling wildfires, prioritizing the protection of populated⁢ areas.