PORTAGE, Mich. — Kalamazoo County city officials held a news conference to deliver an update on the aftermath of Tuesday's tornadoes.
The conference was held at the Portage Department of Public Safety on Wednesday at 4 p.m.
Statements were given from Portage City Manager Pat McGinnis, Mayor of Portage Patricia Randall, Kalamazoo County Sheriff Richard C. Fuller III, Vice President of Electric Operations for Consumers Energy Chris Laird, Public Safety Director of Portage Nicholas Armold and the Red Cross Regional CEO Mary Lynn Foster.
Thousands of trees were knocked down by the storms and many were uprooted.
Consumers Energy said they have 160 electric crews and 70 gas crews currently working to restore power. They said 20,000 people still don't have power but a third of everyone who lost power has had it restored.
Consumers Energy said they hope to have power back on by Wednesday night and that it should be on by Thursday at the latest.
Officials said they're confident everyone is accounted for and while the damage was "devastating" there were no fatalities and only a few injuries.
They said sirens and warning systems worked perfectly and the media helped to alert people of the weather.
There is currently a Red Cross shelter set up at the Kalamazoo First Assembly of God church located at 5550 Oakland Dr, Portage, MI 49024.
The City of Portage also warned residents of the dangers of carbon monoxide following the widespread power outages and damage reported across the city.
The city encouraged homeowners to check their roofs and venting for potential damage and said if they're using a portable generator it should be kept outside and at least 20 feet away from the house.
If you begin to feel flu-like symptoms, such as a headache, dizziness, weakness, upset stomach, vomiting, chest pain and confusion the city said you should leave the house and call 911.
In addition to this, as power lines are reenergized, the city reminded residents to report any sparking or electrical discharges by calling 911.
The Midwest region saw a total of seven tornadoes. Multiple are believed to have been in Southwest Michigan, including in Portage.
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.
Michigan Governor Gretchen Whitmer has declared a state of emergency for Kalamazoo, St. Joseph, Branch and Cass counties.
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