Devastating tornadoes and tempests assault Michigan on Tuesday, with millions more exposed to a severe weather hazard on Wednesday.
A local official in Pavilion Township, Kalamazoo County, reports that over a dozen people sustained injuries after a tornado struck the area on Tuesday. Medical personnel transported ten to fifteen individuals with minor ailments to two hospitals in the region.
In Portage, a nearby city about seven miles south of Kalamazoo, images and videos showcase that a FedEx facility suffered significant roof and structural damage during the storm. Despite the considerable destruction, no severe injuries were reported.
Due to fallen wires, approximately fifty individuals remained trapped inside the building in Portage, according to a representative for the Kalamazoo County administrator's office named Taylor Koopman. Efforts were being made at 9:30 p.m. Eastern Time to remove the wires and secure the area. Conversely, the city's spokesperson, Mary Beth Block, shared that authorities had already cleared the premises by email to CNN.
The National Weather Service confirmed that two tornadoes had affected the Portage area on Tuesday.
Portage officials stated, "We have significant damage, including damage to residential and commercial buildings, trees down across many roads in the city, and several reports of gas leaks." They urged residents to remain indoors and avoid using the roads as first responders were struggling to navigate through the congestion.
The village of Centreville was also struck by a possible tornado on Tuesday, according to St. Joseph County authorities. Multiple structures, some residential and commercial, were obliterated after a presumed tornado tore through the area. St. Joseph County Undersheriff Jason Bingaman informed CNN that several roofs were torn off, and houses were completely leveled.
Seven damaged homes were verified in Branch County, around sixty miles south of Kalamazoo. Emergency Management Director Tim Miner, who was unable to venture out and evaluate further destruction in the county, disclosed the number of destroyed residences.
A town in the county, Union City, underwent a rare tornado warning earlier that took effect when a "large and destructive tornado" was hovering above the area. This development followed by the National Weather Service.
Sources at the Storm Prediction Center affirmed at least nine tornado reports from Michigan on Tuesday and noted that some areas experienced hail the size of softballs.
More than thirty-four thousand houses and enterprises in Michigan have lost electrical power, whereas roughly sixteen thousand residents in Ohio are in the dark since early Wednesday, according to poweroutage.us.
Michigan Governor Gretchen Whitmer expressed empathy towards individuals impacted by the tumultuous weather and spoke about a state of emergency declaration for Kalamazoo, St. Joseph, Branch, and Cass counties on Tuesday evening.
"We will work alongside emergency teams overnight to track the situation and deploy resources for the individuals affected. Michigan is strong and, together, we will rebuild," mentioned the governor.
On Tuesday, many parts of the Great Lakes and the Ohio Valley experienced tornadoes, large hail, whipping winds, and heavy rainfall. On Wednesday, residents in the Midwest should prepare for additional storms. Approximately 140 million North Americans are expected to encounter some form of storms from Texas to Maine.
The threat of tornadoes persists on Wednesday
Severe thunderstorms are expected to touch southern Plains through the Mid-Mississippi, Ohio, and Tennessee Valleys on Wednesday, forecasters at the Storm Prediction Center noted. These storms are expected to bring tornadoes, extremely large hail, and damaging winds to the affected areas.
Approximately 20 million people will be under the utmost severe storm threat. The Storm Prediction Center issued a level 3 of 5 enhanced risk of severe thunderstorms for northeast Texas to western Virginia. This area encompasses much of the lower Ohio Valley, Tennessee Valley, and middle to lower Mississippi Valley, incorporating cities like Memphis, Nashville, St. Louis, and Louisville.
"The most significant flooding threat coincides with the potential for severe thunderstorms, mainly in portions of Kentucky and Tennessee and sections of neighboring states," the National Weather Service mentioned. "Residents and visitors should consider using multiple communication channels to receive warnings and never drive through flooded streets."
Less severe storm threats span from central Texas to the southernmost tip of Maine, with barely any ruled-out tornado potential in cities like Dallas, Atlanta, Chicago, Washington D.C., Baltimore, New York City, Boston, and Charlotte.
Seasonal Tornado Streak Persists Across US
Severe storms and tornadoes are synonymous with spring, and the spring of 2024 is no anomaly. Since April 25, there has been a daily tornado report, thereby establishing a record of thirteen successive days with at least one reported tornado, as the Storm Prediction Center indicated. In total, 287 tornadoes were recorded.
Typically, the period between April and June is the optimal time for tornadoes in America, and May is historically known for recording the most tornadoes. Having just observed an exceptionally active April, where 300 tornadoes were noted, this month ranks as the second-highest on record. The all-time record of 757 tornadoes was attained in April 2011, per the Storm Prediction Center.
A team consisting of CNN's Mary Gilbert, Steve Almasy, Joe Sutton, Amy Simonson, Lucy Kafanov, and Andi Babineau worked together to produce this story.
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In response to the severe weather hazard predicted for Wednesday, authorities in the affected areas are urging residents to stay indoors and avoid using the roads due to potential congestion and the difficulties faced by first responders. [Be prepared for potential power outages as over 34,000 homes and businesses in Michigan have already lost electricity.]
Source: edition.cnn.com
