More than 77 million people across the Midwest and southern Plains were under tornado watches and warnings Wednesday following a series of deadly storms that swept through the region.

Multiple tornadoes caused extensive damage in Illinois and Indiana, with reports of destroyed homes and other structures. The storms proved fatal, though specific casualty numbers were not immediately available from officials.

Most of Indiana remained under a tornado watch as the severe weather system continued to move through the area. The National Weather Service maintained active warnings for communities from the Midwest extending south into the Plains states.

Emergency officials urged residents in affected areas to monitor weather alerts and take appropriate safety precautions as conditions remained dangerous. The tornado activity was part of a larger severe weather pattern affecting multiple states across the central United States.

Damage assessments were ongoing in the hardest-hit areas of Illinois and Indiana, where apparent tornadoes left behind scenes of destruction. Local authorities were working to evaluate the full extent of the damage and coordinate response efforts.