GRAND RAPIDS, Michigan — After numerous tornado warnings were issued for West Michigan, the National Weather Service said a confirmed large and extremely dangerous tornado was located over Portage.
The National Weather Service reported at least four tornadoes in Michigan. The Portage area saw the most damage with multiple tornadoes.
Tens of thousands of people lost power as a result of the storms.
The first line of storms arrived at the lakeshore around 11 a.m., clearing out to the northeast before 2:30 p.m.
While this storm saw thunder and lightning, it wasn't nearly as severe as the second wave.
The second round of storms scattered between 5 p.m. and 8 p.m.
This is when we started seeing tornado warnings and eventually sightings of multiple tornadoes in the Kalamazoo area.
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.
Michigan Governor Gretchen Whitmer has declared a State of Emergency for Kalamazoo, St. Joseph, Branch and Cass counties.
SAFETY
You should have multiple ways to stay weather aware and receive critical weather information.
There are five direct ways in which you can receive weather alerts:
1. NOAA Weather Radio
The first is NOAA Weather Radio. We often refer to them as the “smoke detector” for severe weather, because they will automatically sound an alarm in the case of a natural disaster or severe weather.
2. Local Broadcast
There is also always your local TV station. The 13 ON YOUR SIDE Weather Department streams on-air and online during an active storm.
3. Radio Station
Local radio stations should alert you if a storm is in your area. You can even set up devices like Alexa and Google Home to alert you with weather notifications.
4. Smartphone
Your smartphones also offer numerous ways to receive critical weather alerts. We have a 13 ON YOUR SIDE Weather App that will allow you to track the storm and receive alerts.
5. Outdoor Sirens
Outdoor sirens are also an option, as they will go off in the threat of immediate danger, but are only meant to be heard outdoors. So, if you are inside this should not be how you receive your severe weather alerts. Outdoor sirens can also be unreliable, difficult for those hard of hearing and go off for other reasons beyond tornadoes.
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