Several tornadoes hit Michigan on Tuesday, with one twister pummeling a mobile home park in the southern part of the state, leaving a dozen people hurt and rescuers looking for more possible victims.There were no immediate reports of fatalities at the Pavilion Estates Mobile Home Park in Portage, a city about 7 miles south of Kalamazoo, according to District 2 County Commissioner Jen Strebs. A FedEx building in Portage was also destroyed, with debris left resting on delivery vehicles, but a company spokesperson said there were no serious injuries despite the severe damage.An estimated 50 people were trapped inside the FedEx facility as of 9:30 p.m., said Taylor Koopman, a spokesperson for the county administrator. “First responders are actively looking for ways to get them out, but there are wires down in the building that they need the power company to clear before they can safely go in,” Koopman said, citing the sheriff’s office.Video below: A mobile home park in Michigan saw damageIn Branch County, about 60 miles south of Kalamazoo, at least seven homes were destroyed, according to Emergency Management Director Tim Miner, who added he was unable to get out and assess damage to other parts of the county.Earlier, a tornado emergency for the Branch County village of Union City went into effect, when “a large and destructive tornado” was over the area, about 10 miles northwest of Coldwater and moving northeast at 45 mph, according to the National Weather Service.Video below: Tornado rips through Michigan strip mallGov. Gretchen Whitmer said her heart was going out to people in southwest Michigan. “Emergency teams are on the ground and working to assist Michiganders. I encourage everyone to continue monitoring severe weather alerts and follow the advice of emergency officials,” the governor said. Tornadoes were spotted after dark Tuesday in parts of Michigan, Indiana and Ohio, while portions of Illinois, Kentucky and Missouri were also under a tornado watch, according to the National Weather Service.Video below: Debris can be seen swirling around in heavy winds in Kalamazoo County, MichiganThe severe weather came a day after destructive storms roared through the Plains Monday, unloading at least one deadly tornado, giant hail and hurricane-force wind gusts. As some communities pick up the pieces, others had been preparing Tuesday for the threat of strong twisters in the Midwest.The Associated Press contributed to this story.
Several tornadoes hit Michigan on Tuesday, with one twister pummeling a mobile home park in the southern part of the state, leaving a dozen people hurt and rescuers looking for more possible victims.
There were no immediate reports of fatalities at the Pavilion Estates Mobile Home Park in Portage, a city about 7 miles south of Kalamazoo, according to District 2 County Commissioner Jen Strebs.
A FedEx building in Portage was also destroyed, with debris left resting on delivery vehicles, but a company spokesperson said there were no serious injuries despite the severe damage.
An estimated 50 people were trapped inside the FedEx facility as of 9:30 p.m., said Taylor Koopman, a spokesperson for the county administrator.
“First responders are actively looking for ways to get them out, but there are wires down in the building that they need the power company to clear before they can safely go in,” Koopman said, citing the sheriff’s office.
Video below: A mobile home park in Michigan saw damage
In Branch County, about 60 miles south of Kalamazoo, at least seven homes were destroyed, according to Emergency Management Director Tim Miner, who added he was unable to get out and assess damage to other parts of the county.
Earlier, a tornado emergency for the Branch County village of Union City went into effect, when “a large and destructive tornado” was over the area, about 10 miles northwest of Coldwater and moving northeast at 45 mph, according to the National Weather Service.
Video below: Tornado rips through Michigan strip mall
Gov. Gretchen Whitmer said her heart was going out to people in southwest Michigan. “Emergency teams are on the ground and working to assist Michiganders. I encourage everyone to continue monitoring severe weather alerts and follow the advice of emergency officials,” the governor said.
Tornadoes were spotted after dark Tuesday in parts of Michigan, Indiana and Ohio, while portions of Illinois, Kentucky and Missouri were also under a tornado watch, according to the National Weather Service.
Video below: Debris can be seen swirling around in heavy winds in Kalamazoo County, Michigan
The severe weather came a day after destructive storms roared through the Plains Monday, unloading at least one deadly tornado, giant hail and hurricane-force wind gusts. As some communities pick up the pieces, others had been preparing Tuesday for the threat of strong twisters in the Midwest.
The Associated Press contributed to this story.
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