DETROIT – Night storms are scary for a reason. The biggest problem is that they hit when people are least ready: when they’re asleep.
If a warning goes out at 2 a.m., you may not hear it right away, or you may lose precious time trying to figure out what is happening. Storm hazards are also harder to see in the dark.
According to NOAA, nocturnal tornadoes are nearly twice as deadly as daytime tornadoes, and people are less likely to receive warnings overnight.
For Southeast Michigan, that matters even though our tornadoes are most common in late afternoon and early evening, with the local peak around 4 to 6 p.m.
Overnight storms still happen here, and they can be rough. Metro Detroit got a reminder on Aug. 24, 2023, when early morning thunderstorms caused widespread flooding, road closures, and stranded vehicles after several inches of rain fell in just a few hours.
Night also makes it harder to deal with every storm. It is tougher to spot water over a road, fallen branches, or downed power lines. A storm that might look obvious in daylight can feel sudden and confusing after dark.
Flood dangers are harder to recognize at night, which matters in Metro Detroit, where overnight storms have already closed major roads and trapped drivers.
The good news is that a little planning goes a long way.
Do not count on outdoor sirens to wake you up. Sirens are designed mainly to alert people who are outside. For indoors, the best setup is more than one warning source: keep Wireless Emergency Alerts turned on, and keep a NOAA Weather Radio and a charged phone near your bed.
If a warning is issued, head for the basement or an interior room right away.
In a Southeast Michigan night storm, those extra minutes can make all the difference. And of course, keep that 4Warn Weather App handy.