Tornadoes, flooding and snowstorms hit multiple states, causing damage and rescues

Severe weather is wreaking havoc across the central United States, with tornadoes, flooding and dangerous winter conditions impacting several states.

(CNN)- Severe weather is wreaking havoc across the central United States, with tornadoes, flooding and dangerous winter conditions impacting several states.

Residents in Ottawa described a terrifying tornado that tore through their community Monday, leaving behind significant damage and injuries.

“Then we were going to leave and we thought we had time… the sky just changed very suddenly,” said Eileen Spickler, who sheltered during the storm.

“I mean it looked like a war zone,” added Barry Spickler.

Officials say more than a dozen tornadoes were reported across the Great Plains and Upper Midwest on Monday alone, with additional twisters touching down again Tuesday as the system moved through the region.

In Wisconsin, heavy rainfall triggered dangerous flooding, prompting emergency rescues.

“We rescued some individuals from their homes… flooding completely up to their basement,” said Joe Bertler, fire chief in Suamico. He also noted a school bus was partially tipped during the storms, though no children were on board.

Flooding concerns extended into Michigan, where authorities in Cheboygan ordered evacuations in low-lying areas along the Cheboygan River following a levee breach.

Further west, severe weather created hazardous travel conditions in Colorado. Snow and icy roads in the Rocky Mountains contributed to a massive 75-car pileup along Interstate 70.

“It was terrifying,” said one witness. “Watching semis jackknife behind you is not what I’d want to be doing.”

Officials say the dangerous weather system continues to move across the country, with conditions expected to remain volatile in the coming days.