Powerful Derecho Slams Western US, Sparks Widespread Outages

Listeners, a powerful derecho is bearing down on the western United States right now, packing wind gusts up to 110 miles per hour that could spark widespread power outages. Mike Smith Enterprises Blog issued the first watch of the day for this destructive line of rapidly moving thunderstorms, warning of its potential to slam the region with vicious winds amid winter weather chaos.

This fast-moving storm complex fits the classic derecho profile—long-lived, widespread, and capable of inland hurricane-force destruction from embedded downbursts. As it barrels through, forecasters say the threat extends beyond gusts, with risks of structural damage, downed trees, and blackouts stretching across multiple states. Social media buzz from weather spotters echoes the urgency, with posts highlighting the line's rapid evolution and path toward populated areas.

No confirmed touchdowns yet, but the setup mirrors recent Midwest action on December 28, where Fox Weather reported intense thunderstorms spawning possible tornadoes near Long Creek, Illinois, ripping roofs off homes and scattering debris. That event underscored how these systems can pivot from windstorms to twisters, but today's western derecho takes center stage as the most current threat unfolding over the past week.

Stay vigilant, secure outdoor items, and heed local alerts as this beast pushes eastward. Power crews are on standby for the inevitable outages.

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