Tornadoes Rip Through Michigan, Damage Over 100 Homes
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Comstock/Thinkstock(DEXTER, Mich.) — Three reported tornadoes tore through southeastern Michigan on Thursday, destroying 13 homes and leaving 105 others significantly damaged, while downing power lines, sparking fires and flooding streets in Dexter, Mich.
Sheriff’s spokesman Derrick Jackson said there were no reports of serious injuries or fatalities.
A tornado touchdown was reported in Dexter and the surrounding area northwest of Ann Arbor, Mich., Thursday night, according to Marc Breckenridge, director of Emergency Management for Washtenaw County.
The National Weather Service said a “significant” tornado touched down in Washtenaw County at about 5:15 p.m., and there were over 200 reports of severe weather Thursday from Tennessee through Michigan.
“The temperatures dropped, the clouds were crazy colors and we could hear the wind as it got closer and got bigger. It sounded like a train coming. It started hailing, and the wind was so loud as it got closer, it was extremely scary,” said Dexter resident Matthew Altruda, who was golfing with his friends when the storm hit.
Police in Washtenaw County have set up a command post to deal with the aftermath of the storm, according to ABC News affiliate WXYZ, while mutual assistance is being provided throughout the county. Police are currently advising those in the area to stay in their homes.
Unconfirmed reports of tornadoes touching down in Monroe County’s Ida Township and northwest Lapeer County also surfaced Thursday. Trees and power lines had been downed, according to National Weather Service meteorologist Amos Dodson.
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