As many as 19 different tornadoes formed in a severe weather event that stretched from New Mexico to Michigan, with winds exceeding 100 m.p.h. blowing roofs off buildings and tumbling tractor trailers on highways, the Washington Post reports.
Eight states recorded winds in excess of 90 m.p.h. as a derecho–a high-velocity wind storm–spread from Colorado to Iowa. From New Mexico to Michigan, more than 36 million were or currently still are under high wind warnings.
“The Central U.S. has never seen a December storm like this,” tweeted Bill Karins, a meteorologist for MSNBC. “Multi-hazard, life-threatening weather today.”