Destructive derecho unleashes hurricane-force wind gusts in northern Plains snapping trees, knocking out power
The line of storms intensified and brought powerful winds that swept across South Dakota and Iowa. Some of those destructive wind gusts were as high as a Category 2 hurricane.
Derecho causes damage in Plains, Midwest with more severe weather possible Tuesday
A destructive derecho tore across portions of the Plains and Midwest on Monday night and Tuesday morning, and more severe weather is on the way. FOX Weather Meteorologists Stephen Morgan and Marissa Torres have the latest on July 29, 2025.
DES MOINES, Iowa – A destructive derecho snapped trees and knocked out power to tens of thousands of people as it tore across portions of the northern Plains and Upper Midwest with hurricane-force wind gusts late Monday night and into early Tuesday morning.
The line of damaging thunderstorms first developed across portions of southern South Dakota, bringing reports of tornadoes and some large hail.
Watch: Significant tree damage found after powerful storms sweep across South Dakota
A video shared by FOX Weather Exclusive Storm Tracker Brandon Copic shows significant damage to trees and structures after powerful storms swept across Hudson, South Dakota, on Monday, July 28, 2025.
A dramatic video shared by FOX Weather Exclusive Storm Tracker Brandon Copic shows lightning illuminating the sky above Hudson, South Dakota, as he maneuvered around countless trees and large branches that were brought down by the storm’s fierce winds.
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FOX Weather Exclusive Storm Tracker spots tornado in South Dakota
FOX Weather Exclusive Storm Tracker Brandon Copic captured this video of a tornado moving across South Dakota on Monday.
Another video he shared earlier in the evening showed a tornado moving across the Gregory area.
Later Monday night and into early Tuesday morning, the line of storms intensified and brought powerful winds that swept across South Dakota and Iowa.
Some of those destructive wind gusts were as high as a Category 2 hurricane.
This image shows damage to trees after severe weather in Sioux Center, Iowa, on July 28, 2025.
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Sioux Center, Iowa, has reported the highest gust so far, reaching 99 mph. In Spencer, Iowa, a 92-mph wind gust was reported.
Irene and Parker in South Dakota reported wind gusts of 87 and 85 mph, respectively.
Watch: Building destroyed after powerful storms sweep across South Dakota
A video shared by FOX Weather Exclusive Storm Tracker Brandon Copic shows what appears to be a building that was destroyed as intense storms rolled across the Hudson, South Dakota, area on July 28, 2025.
The extreme weather and powerful winds also plunged residents across the region into darkness.
At one point, more than 100,000 power outages were reported in Minnesota, while just under 30,000 outages were reported in portions of Iowa. Those numbers have since been dropping as crews are deployed to make repairs and restore power.
More severe weather expected Tuesday
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Severe weather continued across portions of the Midwest and Plains through Tuesday.
NOAA’s Storm Prediction Center (SPC) has again highlighted portions of the Plains and Midwest where severe weather could be an issue.
Watch: Light pole falls on vehicles during severe weather in South Dakota
A video shared by FOX Weather Exclusive Storm Tracker Corey Gerken shows damage left behind after severe thunderstorms tore across Sioux Falls, South Dakota, on July 28, 2025.
More than 17 million people from Montana to the Great Lakes should be weather-aware on Tuesday. However, just under 3.5 million people in portions of Montana, Wyoming, South Dakota, Nebraska, Colorado and Iowa have been placed in a Level 2 out of 5 threat.
The expected thunderstorms will develop along a cold front that will eventually bring much-needed relief from the heat.
A Severe Thunderstorm Watch is in place for southern Montana and central and northern Wyoming through Tuesday night.
The main threat from storms that develop on Tuesday will be damaging wind gusts and large hail.