Michigan declares first tornado emergency in state’s history as twisters rip through Midwest, trapping 50 people in FedEx distribution facility

Tornadoes have ripped through several Midwestern states, causing Michigan to declare a tornado emergency for the first time ever.

On Tuesday, Michigan Governor Gretchen Whitmer declared a state of emergency for Kalamazoo, St. Joseph, Branch and Cass counties in a statement on X.

“My heart goes out to everyone affected by tonight’s severe weather in southwest Michigan. Emergency crews are on scene and working to assist Michiganders. “I encourage everyone to continue to monitor severe weather warnings and follow the advice of emergency services,” she said in a statement on X.

She also confirmed that the State Emergency Operations center had been activated.

“We will continue to monitor the situation and coordinate efforts overnight.”

The roof partially collapsed as a result of the tornado

Pictured: People leave after a tornado rips through the mobile home park in Kalamazoo

It’s the first time (dating back to 1999) that the state has ever declared a tornado emergency

It is the first time (dating back to 1999) that the state has ever declared a tornado emergency, ABC reports.

A tornado that struck Portage, a city of 50,000 in southern Michigan, left power lines, trees and other debris in its path of destruction.

Portage Mayor Patricia Randall said first responders are still assessing widespread damage, but “but with so many trees and wires, travel is slow,” according to The Washington Post.

Seven structures, mostly homes, were destroyed by a tornado that moved northeast from St. Joseph County, Branch County Emergency Manager Tim Miner told the Detroit Free Press. He confirmed there were no deaths or injuries.

Just over an hour later, a second tornado touched down around 7:20 p.m.

A third tornado was confirmed by the National Weather Service just west of Battle Creek, near Galesburg, moving northeast at 40 mph.

Until 9 p.m., parts of Calhoun County are under a severe thunderstorm warning, with quarter-sized hail and wind gusts up to 60 mph.

Portage Mayor Patricia Randall “with so many trees and wires, travel is slow,” he said The Washington Post.

No casualties have been confirmed in relation to the incident at the FedEx facility

Pictured: Footage of a large tornado crossing US Route 31 near Kalamazoo, MI

According to the report, almost 20,000 people are without power PowerOutage.us.

About 50 people became trapped in a FedEx distribution facility. Downed power lines in the area prevented first responders from beginning their rescue mission.

The roof partially collapsed as a result of the tornado, mlive.com reported. According to the City of Portage, all employees have been taken into account.

FedEx has issued a statement regarding the current situation.

“Our hearts go out to those affected by the tornado in Portage, Michigan, and we are grateful that no serious injuries occurred as a result of the damage to our facility at 6701 Portage Road,” said spokeswoman Shannon Davis Company.

Portage Mayor Patricia Randall said first responders are still assessing widespread damage (Photo: Tornado Damage in Kalamazoo, MI)

“We continue to assess the damage and we are implementing contingency plans to reduce any potential impact on services.”

Pavillion Estates, a mobile home park, was also mass destroyed, with at least 16 injuries, 17 homes destroyed and 173 other buildings damaged by the tornado.

The devastation in Michigan comes just a day after at least 15 tornadoes ripped through the southern plains. Officials confirmed one death after a two-mile-wide tornado passed through Barnsdall, Oklahoma.

More than 35 million Americans are in the storm zone, which stretches from Chicago to Nashville, Tennessee.

Parts of Illinois, Indiana, Michigan, Ohio and Kentucky were under tornado watch Tuesday evening.

There could be a few tornadoes, high winds up to 75 miles per hour, and hail the size of baseballs.