Rain, thunder, hail, and a possible tornado wreaked havoc in southeast Michigan and parts of the Thumb region on Friday night. The severe weather caused flooding on streets and brought down trees.
The National Weather Service issued several weather statements warning of isolated severe thunderstorms in the area. These storms had the potential to bring gusts of up to 60 mph and hail up to 1 inch in diameter.
Radar images showed strong, low-level rotation during a storm in central Sanilac County in the Thumb region between 3:30 and 3:35 p.m., according to NWS meteorologist Steve Considine. The damage reports of downed trees suggest that a tornado likely swept through Lexington Township, Applegate, and other parts of east and central Sanilac County.
Considine stated, “We’re calling it most likely a tornado. From what we’ve been told, there were no injuries, no fatalities.”
To confirm if a tornado did touch down on Friday afternoon, the NWS will send a survey team to Sanilac County on Saturday morning. Two tornado warnings were issued for the county on Friday, one from 2:16 p.m. to 3:15 p.m. and another from 3:16 p.m. to 3:45 p.m.
Throughout Friday afternoon and evening, a strong line of storms also passed through southern Wayne County, Monroe County, and Lenawee County.
In Rochester, an early evening storm knocked down a tree on University Drive and left piles of hail in the grass. Ian Lee, a meteorologist with the NWS in White Lake Township, explained that hail accompanied by thunderstorms during the summer months is not uncommon. He added, “The greatest time window for the strong and severe thunderstorms looks to be between 2-10 p.m. If hail does occur with the thunderstorm, it could be around 1-inch in diameter.”
Just a day before, on Wednesday, a tornado touched down in southwest Michigan, causing damage to property, crops, and trees. The EF1 twister had winds of 90 mph and was on the ground for five minutes between 11:09 p.m. and 11:14 p.m. It traveled from the southeast side of Colon, a village in St. Joseph County, to Sherwood, Michigan. The tornado had a path width of 50 yards and a length of 2.92 miles.
The forecast for the upcoming days predicts numerous showers and thunderstorms in Metro Detroit, with temperatures near 80 degrees. The chances of thunderstorms remain low on Sunday and Monday, with highs in the lower to mid-80s.
Residents are advised to stay updated on the weather conditions and take necessary precautions to ensure their safety.
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How did residents in southeast Michigan document the severity of the storm?
Ts of southeast Michigan.
Residents in these areas reported strong winds, heavy rain, and hail. Some even captured footage of the storm and posted it on social media. The storm caused power outages in some areas, leaving residents without electricity for several hours.
Emergency crews quickly responded to the damage, clearing fallen trees and assessing the extent of the flooding. While no injuries were reported, the storm caused significant property damage, especially to vehicles and homes.
The National Weather Service continues to investigate whether a tornado did indeed touch down in the area. If confirmed, it would be the first tornado of the year in southeast Michigan.
Residents are urged to stay alert and take necessary precautions during severe weather events. It is essential to seek shelter indoors and avoid unnecessary travel until the storm has passed.
I hope everyone stays safe and that the affected areas receive the necessary support and assistance. Nature can be unpredictable, but our resilience will help us rebuild and restore.
Stay safe and take necessary precautions if you’re in the affected areas. Hoping everyone stays out of harm’s way and the damage is minimal.