Severe thunderstorms spawning multiple tornadoes hit southern Michigan, leaving significant damage in its wake.
In western Michigan, multiple tornadoes touched down in Kalamazoo County near Portage, and another tornado touched down in Calhoun County.
In southeastern Michigan, tornado watches are in effect for Lenawee, Monroe, and Washtenaw counties, and severe thunderstorm warnings, including hail and high winds, are in effect for southeastern Livingston and southern Oakland counties.
See below for live weather forecasts.
Michigan weather radar:View current status
Multiple injuries reported at mobile home park hit by tornado
Tuesday’s storm injured about a dozen residents of the Pavilion Estates mobile home community in Pavilion Township outside Portage. Neighbors said at least one woman was trapped in her home, which was completely destroyed. Nick Armold, Portage’s public safety director, said emergency crews will work through Tuesday night to fully assess the residents’ conditions and make sure no one is still trapped inside the home.
Seven structures destroyed in Branch County
Branch County Emergency Manager Tim Miner said the tornado that originated in St. Joseph County destroyed seven buildings, mostly homes, in Sherwood Township, adding there were no fatalities or serious injuries.
No serious injuries were reported at Portage.
There are no reports of serious injuries after a tornado was reported to have destroyed several homes and commercial buildings in Portage, Michigan, on Tuesday night, city officials said.
In a news release at 10 p.m., Portage officials urged residents to continue sheltering in place and staying off roads to allow first responders access.
Whitmer declares a state of emergency
Michigan Governor Gretchen Whitmer declared a state of emergency for several counties in southwest Michigan in response to the storm. That includes Kalamazoo, St. Joseph, Branch and Cass counties, according to a statement from the governor’s office.
“My heart goes out to everyone affected by tonight’s severe weather in Southwest Michigan,” Governor Whitmer said. “State and local emergency teams are on the ground and working together to assist Michiganders. I declared a state of emergency, rapidly dispatched personnel to the area, and activated the State Emergency Operations Center. We will continue to monitor the situation and adjust our efforts throughout the night. We want to thank all the first responders who are working to keep Michiganders safe. Let’s get through this.”
Second tornado in Portage, tornado confirmed west of Battle Creek
Just an hour after a large tornado devastated Portage, just south of Kalamazoo, the National Weather Service in Grand Rapids reported a second tornado touched down near Portage around 7:20 p.m.
At 7:43 p.m., the National Weather Service confirmed another tornado was moving northeast at 40 mph just west of Battle Creek near Galesburg. A severe thunderstorm warning, including quarter-sized hail and wind gusts up to 90 mph, is in effect for parts of Calhoun County until 9 p.m.
FedEx facility collapses.Several buildings damaged after Portage tornado
After the first tornado struck in Portage, multiple buildings suffered major damage, including the collapse of a FedEx facility.
Jude Barber Shop in Portage on Center Road also reported damage to the Plaza building, saying, “Our barbershop on Portage on Center Road was hit by a tornado. Fortunately, everyone is safe.” Posted.
Drone footage taken over Portage shows the extent of the damage left by the tornado.
WBND-TV (South Bend, Indiana) reported that Portage Mayor Particia Randall said, “Two tornadoes touched down in Portage this evening, causing significant damage to both residential and commercial properties…Nothing to report at this time.” There were no injuries or deaths.”
As of 1:10 a.m. Wednesday, more than 25,000 Consumers Energy and 2,700 Midwest Energy & Communications customers were without power.
St. Joseph County confirms damage
St. Joseph County Sheriff’s Deputy Jason Bingaman confirmed Tuesday evening that multiple locations in southwestern Michigan County were affected.
“At this time, we are concentrating on our life safety mission using all available resources and will then begin a preliminary damage assessment,” Bingaman said.
This is a developing story.
