Detroit, a city known for its resilient spirit, was struck with severe storms on Tuesday night. The Midwest was hit with tornadoes, causing destruction in parts of Michigan, Indiana, and Ohio. This comes just a day after a deadly twister ripped through an Oklahoma town, leaving behind a trail of devastation.
The National Weather Service reported two tornadoes in the city of Portage near Kalamazoo, Michigan, destroying homes and commercial buildings, including a FedEx facility. Thankfully, no serious injuries were reported, but the storms knocked out power for over 20,000 people in the city. As the storms continued into the early hours of Wednesday, a tornado warning was issued for parts of West Virginia and Ohio, with the possibility of crossing into Pennsylvania.
In West Virginia, the Hancock County Schools were closed on Wednesday due to “extensive overnight weather issues” in the county. Several news outlets reported damaged buildings and power outages in the area. Meanwhile, in Michigan, over 30,000 customers were without power, and an additional 10,000 in Ohio, according to PowerOutage.us.
Michigan Governor Gretchen Whitmer declared a state of emergency for four counties, and emphasized the importance of safety and assistance for those affected by the severe weather. She urged state and local emergency teams to work together to assist the affected communities.
The National Weather Service is currently assessing the damage in several counties in Michigan’s southwest Lower Peninsula to determine the number of tornadoes that touched down. While they have received reports of 11 tornadoes, they have not yet confirmed any touchdowns. It may take a couple of days before the final report is released, and it is possible that some of the reports could be duplicate accounts of the same tornado.
This severe weather comes just a day after the central United States was hit with heavy rain, strong winds, hail, and tornadoes. The Plains and Midwest have been experiencing a high frequency of tornadoes this spring, causing significant damage to the region.
As the week continues, the Midwest and South are expected to face more severe weather, including cities like Indianapolis, Memphis, Nashville, St. Louis, and Cincinnati, where over 21 million people reside. However, the weather is expected to clear up over the weekend.
The recent twisters in Oklahoma have also left a devastating impact. On Monday night, a deadly tornado tore through the small town of Barnsdall, killing at least one person and leaving another missing. Dozens of homes were destroyed, and the twister also caused damage to a wax manufacturing facility in the community. This was the second tornado to hit Barnsdall in just five weeks, adding to the already stressful situation for the residents.
Governor Kevin Stitt visited the tornado-affected areas on Tuesday and stated that the storm was rated as a violent tornado with wind speeds of up to 200 mph. He also announced a budget of $45 million to help the affected communities in their recovery efforts.
It is crucial to remember that areas in Oklahoma, such as Sulphur and Holdenville, are still recovering from a tornado that killed four people and left thousands without power at the end of last month. The residents of these communities have shown incredible resilience in the face of these natural disasters, and it is heartwarming to see them coming together to support each other during these difficult times.
In the midst of these devastating storms, it is vital to stay informed and follow the instructions of local authorities to ensure the safety of ourselves and our loved ones. It is also important to come together as a community to support and assist those affected by these natural disasters.
Let us continue to keep the affected communities in our thoughts and prayers, and let us also be grateful for the safety of our own families and homes. Together, we can overcome any challenge and emerge stronger, just like the city of Detroit, known for its resilient spirit.
