A tornado swept through western Michigan on Thursday night, along with a series of thunderstorms that caused severe damage and left more than 240,000 people without power.
The storms then moved east and hit the Detroit area, leaving some roads inundated.
The storm, with wind gusts of over 80 mph, toppled cars, toppled trees, flooded cities, and destroyed buildings and homes.
Injuries have been reported in Kent County. A woman and two children died in an aquaplaning accident Fox17.
State Police issued a warning on Twitter: “SEVERE WEATHER ALERT: A debris-ball tornado has been reported heading east toward Webberville. Take shelter.’
Social media images show the damage after tornadoes swept through Michigan
Social media video shows the damage from a tornado in Webberville, Michigan
A tornado swept through western Michigan on Thursday night, along with a series of thunderstorms that caused severe damage and left more than 240,000 citizens without power
The National Weather Service issued several tornado warnings, including those in Northwest Wayne and Northeast Washtenaw counties, that were in effect to 11 p.m., according to the National Weather Service.
“At 10:15 p.m., a severe thunderstorm capable of producing a tornado occurred over Salem, or near Novi, traveling 50 mph to the east,” the weather service reported.
“Flying debris will be dangerous to those caught without shelter. Mobile homes will be damaged or destroyed. There will be damage to roofs, windows and vehicles. Tree damage is likely,” it added.
In Genesee County, 6-inch-wide tree limbs had fallen, according to reports Detroit News.
Search and rescue operations are reportedly underway after damage to the structure in Webberville.
The Kent County Sheriff’s Office set up an emergency operations center Thursday evening to coordinate rescue and recovery efforts throughout the community.
Sergeant Eric Brunner told Fox 17 that the team was “at full strength” and called in additional help.
“What we’re seeing so far: Alpine Township, Plainfield Township and Grand Rapids Township are the hardest hit communities in our region. Alpine Avenue is impassable,” Brunner told Fox 17 on Thursday night.
The storm, with wind gusts of over 80 mph, toppled cars, toppled trees, flooded cities, and destroyed buildings and homes.
Injuries have been reported in Kent County. According to Fox17, a woman and two children died in an aquaplaning crash
State Police issued a warning on Twitter: “SEVERE WEATHER ALERT: A debris-ball tornado has been reported heading east toward Webberville. Take shelter’
He also said he saw a building destroyed and landed in the middle of the road, as well as a gas leak in the area.
According to Fox 17, a woman and two children were killed in a crash caused by aquaplaning, according to the Kent County Sheriff’s Office.
“In a storm like that, you have limbs, branches, and entire trees that — in some cases — are blown right down the street, through neighborhoods, so (it’s) that kind of damage that we’re seeing,” Brian Wheeler, with Consumers Energy told FOX 17.
“It could be serious, in terms of the cleaning process, that could slow things down or affect things, so we’ll be aware of that,” he added.