The National Weather Service has issued a tornado watch for Columbus and central Ohio as showers and thunderstorms are expected to move in just before midnight Wednesday night and continue into early Thursday morning.

Tornadoes are sweeping across areas of the South and Midwest of the United States, leaving a trail of destruction and tens of thousands of homes without power. Flash flooding is expected to follow the violent storms as the National Weather Service warns of a threat to life.

Last night's severe weather kicked off a flood watch in Ohio, but tornadoes can form any time. Here's what to know about them and how they form.

Severe storms are racing into the Chicago area, prompting a tornado watch and the possibility of a messy, hazardous commute home from work. The Tornado Watch is in effect for Ford, Grundy, Kankakee, Livingston and Will counties in Illinois and Jasper,

CNN’s Ryan Young reports from the middle of the destruction after powerful tornadoes tore through the central US. The storms ripped homes into unrecognizable shreds and tossed vehicles like toys. Arkansas,

A dangerous and potentially historic flood event is bearing down on 22 million Americans from Arkansas to Ohio this week.

Several Illinois counties are under a tornado watch as a storm moves northward through the state.

Staying informed about the forecast and knowing what to do before and during an event saves lives. Here are some things you need to know to stay safe.

When a warning is issued, take action. This means tornado conditions are imminent and have been spotted either by someone on the ground or by radar. Warning areas are typically smaller than those within a watch and are issued for a shorter time period, typically about 15 minutes.