Several tornadoes hit Michigan on Tuesday evening, tearing through a FedEx building in one area and trapping several people, according to several news outlets.In the city of Portage, about 7 miles south of Kalamazoo, a FedEx building partially collapsed after a tornado rolled through the area Tuesday evening. Spokespersons with Kalamazoo County told local media outlets and the Washington Post that about 50 people remained trapped inside that building Tuesday night. A FedEx spokesperson told the Associated Press there were no serious injuries despite the severe damage.According to MLive, downed wires in the building were being removed before first responders could rescue people inside. Officials told MLive that it’s still an active scene. Elsewhere in Michigan, Union City was under a tornado emergency that went into effect just after 6 p.m. ET, when “a large and destructive tornado” was over the city, about 10 miles northwest of Coldwater and moving northeast at 45 mph, according to the National Weather Service.Emergency responders’ radios crackled with reports of possible destruction as the intense storms pushed through. Photos on social media have shown some damage to buildings.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.“Severe storms are still tracking between Kalamazoo and Jackson. Tornadoes and large hail are the main threats,” the National Weather Service Grand Rapids said.Officials in Portage pleaded with its residents to “stay home” and “please stay off the roads. First responders are stuck in gridlock.”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.Video below: Tornado rips through Michigan strip mallTornadoes 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.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.
Several tornadoes hit Michigan on Tuesday evening, tearing through a FedEx building in one area and trapping several people, according to several news outlets.
In the city of Portage, about 7 miles south of Kalamazoo, a FedEx building partially collapsed after a tornado rolled through the area Tuesday evening. Spokespersons with Kalamazoo County told local media outlets and the Washington Post that about 50 people remained trapped inside that building Tuesday night.
A FedEx spokesperson told the Associated Press there were no serious injuries despite the severe damage.
According to MLive, downed wires in the building were being removed before first responders could rescue people inside. Officials told MLive that it’s still an active scene.
Elsewhere in Michigan, Union City was under a tornado emergency that went into effect just after 6 p.m. ET, when “a large and destructive tornado” was over the city, about 10 miles northwest of Coldwater and moving northeast at 45 mph, according to the National Weather Service.
Emergency responders’ radios crackled with reports of possible destruction as the intense storms pushed through. Photos on social media have shown some damage to buildings.
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.
“Severe storms are still tracking between Kalamazoo and Jackson. Tornadoes and large hail are the main threats,” the National Weather Service Grand Rapids said.
Officials in Portage pleaded with its residents to “stay home” and “please stay off the roads. First responders are stuck in gridlock.”
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.
Video below: Tornado rips through Michigan strip mall
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.
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.
