Tornadoes are sweeping across areas of the South and Midwest of the United States, leaving a trail of destruction and tens of thousands of homes without power. Flash flooding is expected to follow the violent storms as the National Weather Service warns of a threat to life.

Severe storms are racing into the Chicago area, prompting a tornado watch and the possibility of a messy, hazardous commute home from work. The Tornado Watch is in effect for Ford, Grundy, Kankakee, Livingston and Will counties in Illinois and Jasper,

A Tornado Watch is in effect for eastern Kentucky until 11 PM.  Showers and thunderstorms will continue to move across east and southeast Kentucky through the night with

CNN’s Ryan Young reports from the middle of the destruction after powerful tornadoes tore through the central US. The storms ripped homes into unrecognizable shreds and tossed vehicles like toys. Arkansas,

A dangerous and potentially historic flood event is bearing down on 22 million Americans from Arkansas to Ohio this week.

Yet again, another round of severe weather is set to threaten the central U.S. with damaging winds, large hail and tornadoes starting late Tuesday and continuing through Thursday.

Staying informed about the forecast and knowing what to do before and during an event saves lives. Here are some things you need to know to stay safe.

Several Illinois counties are under a tornado watch as a storm moves northward through the state.

When a warning is issued, take action. This means tornado conditions are imminent and have been spotted either by someone on the ground or by radar. Warning areas are typically smaller than those within a watch and are issued for a shorter time period, typically about 15 minutes.