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Michigan, Ohio brace for storms after tornadoes rip through Iowa, Kansas, Missouri

3:00
Dangerous storms on the move in the Heartland
Rob Marciano/ABC News
ByMax Golembo, Melissa Griffin, and Emily Shapiro
April 17, 2024, 5:51 PM

As Iowa, Kansas, Missouri and Nebraska clean up from the 14 confirmed tornadoes that ripped through the region, the tornado threat moves east on Wednesday to Michigan and Ohio.

The strongest tornado so far was an EF-2 with 118 mph winds in Greenwood County, Kansas.

In Smithville, Missouri, an EF-1 tornado with 95 mph winds forced a family to flee for their lives.

Kristel Kemp and her young son ran from their home -- which is now destroyed -- and sheltered in a brick bathroom.

"Survivor mode kicked in, I guess," she told ABC News. "It felt like the longest run of my life."

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On Wednesday, the tornado threat moves into the Ohio Valley and southern Great Lakes, including Detroit, Cleveland and Cincinnati.

A severe thunderstorm watch is in effect in Michigan while a tornado watch has been issued in Indiana, Ohio, Pennsylvania and West Virginia through Wednesday night.

Severe Weather Outbreak Map
ABC News

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MORE: Tips on how to stay safe from a tornado

A new storm could also bring another round of severe weather to Kansas City, Missouri, on Wednesday night into Thursday morning.

On Thursday, that new storm will move east and south, impacting states from Texas to Indiana.

The biggest threat for tornadoes will be from Louisville, Kentucky, to St. Louis. Damaging winds and hail are the biggest threat for Dallas.

Severe Weather Outbreak Map
ABC News

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