KENT COUNTY, Mich. — Including Kent County in an overnight tornado warning was a mistake.
That's according to the Kent County Emergency Manager Scott Corbin, sharing insight late Wednesday morning.
"According to the National Weather Service, Kent County was inadvertently included in the warning area. Kent County has strict protocols to activate sirens promptly after a warning has been issued," Corbin said.
Tuesday evening's storms turned into severe weather around 9:30 p.m.
The National Weather Service issued a tornado warning for Kent County, Allegan and Barry counties at 9:33 p.m. Tuesday.
A small portion of southern Kent County was included in the storm's path.
That triggered sirens to go off in those communities, notifying the area of the radar-indicated tornado.
Three minutes later at 9:36 p.m., the tornado warning for Kent County was canceled.
13 ON YOUR SIDE's Chief Meteorologist George Lessens said he thinks adding Kent County to the warning was a mistake.
The storm continued into northeastern Allegan and northwestern Barry counties, ultimately weakening.
At 9:48 p.m., the NWS canceled the tornado warning for those counties, too.
It's important to stay weather-aware in the event of severe weather. Storms can spin up with little warning. That's why every moment counts.
"As many of you may recall, our community experienced a tornado in August of 2023, underscoring the importance of preparedness and timely warnings. In recent years, we have observed an increase in wind-related events, prompting us to continually improve our warning capabilities," Corbin said.
"The Kent County Sheriff's Office remains steadfast in implementing best practices in early warning and notification systems, consistently seeking ways to bolster our capabilities and safeguard our community. We appreciate your cooperation and urge everyone to stay informed and prepared during severe weather events."
Many 13 ON YOUR SIDE viewers shared photos of hail or stormy skies throughout Tuesday's weather.
Photos from Tuesdays weather
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