Powerful winds, including a tornado, wreaked havoc across parts of the upper Midwest, resulting in three fatalities and significant damage to a regional airport. Nearly 150 million Americans were under a heat advisory or warning as the weekend unfolded. The storm system caused chaos in North Dakota, northern Minnesota, and northern Wisconsin, with reports of tornadic activity, large hail, and strong wind gusts. Two men and a woman lost their lives in Enderlin, North Dakota, and thousands of households were left without power.

The National Weather Service confirmed a tornado hit a home, with crews assessing the storm’s strength and impact on Cass and Ransom counties. Governor Kelly Armstrong declared a statewide disaster due to the damage, including a second tornado touching down near Spiritwood. Bemidji, Minnesota, experienced wind gusts of up to 106mph, causing severe damage to homes and infrastructure.

The storm later moved to Michigan and was projected to affect upstate New York, albeit with a reduced intensity. Meanwhile, Alaska faced over 100 fires, with some threatening populated areas and prompting evacuations. The Denali Borough reported imminent threats to structures near Denali National Park and Preserve, with firefighting aircraft mobilized to contain the blaze. The fires, though not impacting the park’s operations, raised concerns about deteriorating air quality for visitors.