A line of severe thunderstorms raced through Michigan on Tuesday, leaving a trail of destruction in its wake. Over 310,000 electrical customers were left without power, and trees were uprooted as the storm system swept across the state. The severe weather is part of a larger threat looming over the Great Lakes region, including cities such as Chicago, Detroit, and Milwaukee.

Reports indicate that wind gusts of up to 76 mph struck Detroit International Airport, while Oakland County International Airport experienced gusts reaching 66 mph. The city of Flint was also hit by strong winds, with gusts reaching 63 mph. In Saint Johns, Michigan, the force of the wind caused trees to topple and led to a ceiling collapse inside a home. Perry, another town in the state, saw a tree fall onto a residential property. At Michigan State University's campus in East Lansing, a falling tree struck a car, according to the National Weather Service.

The severity of the storms prompted the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration's Storm Prediction Center (SPC) to issue a Level 2 out of 5 risk on its severe weather scale. This elevated risk level affects more than 32 million people across eight states, including Wisconsin, Michigan, and Ohio. Specifically, cities such as Chicago, Milwaukee, Green Bay, Detroit, Lansing, Saginaw, and Cleveland are urged to remain vigilant.

While the main threats associated with the severe thunderstorms are large hail and damaging wind gusts, forecasters have not ruled out the possibility of brief tornadoes. As a result, a Severe Thunderstorm Watch remains in effect for Michigan until Tuesday evening.

This recent bout of severe weather follows on the heels of Monday's storm system, which wreaked havoc on parts of the Midwest. In Minnesota alone, more than 150,000 utility customers were left without power, and flash flooding caused chaos at the Minnesota State Fair in St. Paul. A video captured the intensity of the rain as fair attendees ran for shelter while sidewalks and walkways filled with water.

The threat of severe weather persists into Tuesday night, as the storm system is projected to intensify over southern lower Michigan, northern Illinois, and into Indiana. Although most of the impacted areas can expect heavy rainfall, hail, and strong winds, caution is advised as a brief tornado or two cannot be ruled out.

As millions of people across the Great Lakes region remain on high alert, it is crucial to stay informed about weather updates and heed any warnings or instructions from local authorities.