Tornadoes and Typhoon Bavi: 17 Dead in Central China Amid Severe Weather

Severe weather in central China has led to at least 17 fatalities and numerous injuries as tornadoes wreak havoc. The storms have prompted President Xi Jinping to call for extensive rescue operations, according to state media reports on July 7, 2026.

Tornadoes Cause Destruction in Central China

The central province of Hubei has been particularly hard-hit, recording 11 deaths and over 300 injuries. Emergency responders are searching for a missing individual, as nearly 5,000 houses have been damaged, with 22 buildings collapsing entirely. An unusual tornado in Huanggang lifted trucks and debris, illustrating the storm's intensity.

A local resident, surnamed Wang, recounted the terrifying experience, stating that intense winds “sucked out” his brother-in-law from their home, who was later found unconscious. “Wall cabinets, sofas, coffee tables, dining tables and chairs vanished in an instant,” Wang told the Xiaoxiang Morning Herald.

Flooding and Evacuations in Guangxi

In the southern Guangxi province, severe rainfall and flooding from Typhoon Maysak have resulted in the deaths of at least six people. Approximately 130,000 individuals have been evacuated, while 11 people remain missing.

State media footage depicted urgent rescue efforts, with workers in inflatable boats searching for the missing amid the wreckage of destroyed buildings. The region has issued a red alert for flooding, as over 40 rivers and waterways overflow.

Super Typhoon Bavi Approaches

As China deals with the aftermath of these storms, it braces for the arrival of Super Typhoon Bavi, which made landfall on U.S. territorial islands earlier this week. Forecasts predict that Bavi, with winds reaching 150 mph (241 km/h), will intensify as it approaches eastern China.

The typhoon has already caused widespread power outages in Guam and the Northern Marianas, with the island of Rota reporting severe damage. Rota Mayor Aubry Hocog stated that more than 50 percent of the island has suffered damage, and restoration of power could take “two to three months.”