KALAMAZOO COUNTY, Mich. — Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer is in Kalamazoo County today after multiple tornadoes caused severe damage to the area Tuesday evening.
Whitmer declared a state of emergency for Kalamazoo, St. Joseph, Branch and Cass counties late Tuesday night.
The Midwest region saw multiple tornadoes, many of which are believed to have been in Southwest Michigan.
The storms caused severe damage ranging from uprooted trees to roofs blown off buildings. Some homes and businesses were destroyed. While no serious injuries were reported, the Kalamazoo County Sheriff said there are an estimated 16 to 20 people who sustained injuries in the Oak Brook Estates mobile home park in Portage alone.
Officials confirm one woman was rescued from under her mobile home. In the nearby FedEx Center, about 50 employees were temporarily trapped inside when the roof and front of the building blew off.
Crews are now working to clean up the debris and restore power.
In Kalamazoo County, over 18,000 are without power. In St. Joseph County, only about 4,000 Consumers Energy customers are impacted—but that is about 40% of the customers in that county.
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