MICHIGAN, USA — The Midwest region saw a total of seven tornadoes, at least four of which are believed to have been in Southwest Michigan and two of those four are believed to have hit Portage on Tuesday.
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.
Many took to social media to share photos and videos of the storms, including the Fifth District Michigan State Police post that patrols southwest Michigan.
One of the photos shared showed a home with a double garage with what appears to be a large funnel cloud behind it.
THE QUESTION
Was this viral photo of a tornado behind a house taken in Portage, Michigan?
THE SOURCES
- 13 ON YOUR SIDE analysis of the images
- Michigan State Police
- The National Weather Service
- The Daily Mail
THE ANSWER
No, this image of a home that appears to show a large tornado funnel behind a home was not taken on Tuesday, May 7, 2024, during the Midwest tornado outbreak.
WHAT WE FOUND
This photo is from a series of tornadoes that hit Kansas in 2022.
Michigan State Police in southwest Michigan reposted the photo on X, formerly known as Twitter, but later said the photo was not from the Portage area.
A story published by The Daily Mail in April 2022 shows this exact photo. The Straits Times has a video that has the same SUV and house that the photo showcases.
The video credits @achristine116 but that account doesn't exist anymore.
The National Weather Service said the storms formed near Witchita and traveled to Andover, Kansas, on April 29, 2022.
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