DETROIT – Tuesday night thunderstorm cells moved swiftly across Michigan's Lower Peninsula producing several tornados. Weather experts say six tornadoes touched down in southeastern Michigan, including a twister reaching speeds of 130 mph that caused significant damage to homes and businesses.
National Weather Service meteorologist Dave Gurney in Oakland County's White Lake Township says officials determined Wednesday that the Tuesday night tornadoes ranged in strength from EF-0 to EF-2. That's on a scale of zero to 5.
The strongest tornadoes were in the Flint area and all were in Genesee and Shiawassee counties. Some strong, damaging storms were reported in the Lansing and Kalamazoo areas but there have been no confirmed tornado touchdowns.
No injuries have been reported, though numerous structures have been destroyed or heavily damaged. Some Flint-area schools closed Wednesday, including Goodrich Area Schools and Beecher Community School District.
The Damage:
Perry:
A tornado rated as an EF0 touchdown with maximum winds to 75 mph. The tornado started at Lansing and Warner Roads and then crossed over I-69 and ended at an entrance ramp near a rest area.
Many trees were uprooted and shingles were torn off a church in the area.
Morrice:
At 8:52 p.m. a tornado started near the Bethemy Cemetery and moved northeast ending at West Britton and Hidden Ridge Roads. Along its path trees were uprooted and many tree limbs were downed.
Genesee Township:
By 9:00 p.m. Genesee Township saw a tornado with maximum wind speeds of 105 mph with a path 300 yards wide and 2.3 miles long. The tornado started at the southern end of Hasselbring Park and continued northeast. The greatest damage occurred along Saginaw Street between Holtslander and Downey avenues. Tree damage occurred and an older commercial building was damaged.
Byron:
A tornado with 100 mph winds left a path 10 miles long just south of Britton and Grand River roads the tornado moved northeast near the cities of Byron and Gaines
Many trees were uprooted and snapped and it destroyed the roof and siding off homes along the way.
Fenton:
At 9:30 p.m. a tornado traveling at 115 mph. carved a path 500 yards wide and 2.8 miles long. The tornado started along Odell Road south of Linden Road and continued to Torrey Road
Homes were damaged along the path that winded to Thompson Road between Fairbanks and Jennings roads
Grand Blanc:
By 9:54 p.m. the tornado was rated an EF2 and had reached speeds in excess130 mph. It left a path 4.6 miles in length and started near the intersection of Vassar Road and Pointe North Drive
Several homes and a storage facility were damaged.