Tornadoes sweep through Midwest, destroy property in Michigan

KALAMAZOO, Mich. (NewsNation) — Severe storms barreled across the Midwest Tuesday with heavy rain and gusty winds, with as many as 25 tornadoes spotted in parts of Michigan, Indiana and Ohio.

Portions of Illinois, Kentucky and Missouri were also under a tornado watch, according to the National Weather Service.

As the storms raged in the pre-dawn hours Wednesday, the National Weather Service in Pittsburgh warned that a tornado in northeastern Ohio could cross into Pennsylvania. Parts of West Virginia were also under a tornado warning.

Storms making their way across northeastern Tennessee brought high winds that knocked down powerlines and trees. Claiborne County Sheriff Bob Brooks said a 22-year-old man was in a car struck by one of the trees.

Michigan declares first tornado emergency

Three tornadoes were confirmed in Michigan, according to the Associated Press.

In southwestern Michigan, two tornadoes hit the city of Portage on Tuesday night, destroying homes and commercial buildings — including a FedEx facility that collapsed. No fatalities had been reported as of Wednesday afternoon, though.

According to the Kalamazoo County Sheriff’s Office, about 15 to 17 homes at the Pavilion Estates, a mobile home park in the Portage area, were destroyed. The sheriff’s office said 16 to 20 people were injured in Tuesday’s storms; their injuries were not life-threatening.

City officials said in a news release that the twisters knocked out power to more than 20,000 people. Most of them would be without power until late Wednesday, city officials said.

At one point, at least 50 people were trapped inside the FedEx facility because of downed power lines. Shannon Davis, a company spokesperson, said late Tuesday that “all team members are safe and accounted for.”

Jeff Nazarians, a resident of Portage living near the FedEx facility, recounted to NewsNation how he was on his porch when he noticed a giant funnel cloud and debris flying through the air in his direction. He quickly ran through his house to seek shelter.

“It’s not like you see on TV shows; outside it’s pitch-white, swirling everywhere. I run to my basement as fast as I can. You just hear things outside dropping, flying, crashing, trees falling,” he recalled. “I thought the house was going to come up. My garage is torn off the ground. I come out, look around, and the FedEx building is destroyed across the street.”

After the storm started, Nate Davis, assistant manager of a Portage Pizza Hut, yelled for employees to get in the walk-in cooler. 

“And as I’m running towards the walk-in, the ceiling’s coming apart on all of us. I’m getting hit with ceiling tiles and installation frame pieces and stuff,” Davis said. “It all happened so fast.”

The National Weather Service issued its first-ever tornado emergency in Michigan Tuesday, the most dire of tornado alerts, for Union City and Sherwood.

City building inspectors were canvassing the town Wednesday, trying to find the worst damage and catalogue it for the Federal Emergency Management Agency. 

When compared to the “tragic” 1980 tornado that blew through Portage, taking five lives, Kalamazoo County Sheriff Richard Fuller said the previous night’s storms were even larger. 

However, many people were able to stay safe during Tuesday’s severe weather by preparing beforehand, keeping an eye on TV reports and monitoring Portage sirens, Fuller said at a news conference Wednesday.

“Last night, because our community is working hard together all the time, and because they were paying attention last night and hearing the alerts, lives were saved,” Fuller said. “We heard more than one story where the people said ‘we just got out of there,’ or ‘we were taking cover in the bathroom because the house was taken off its foundation,’ and they are safe because of their actions.”

Still, Fuller said, in Portage and surrounding areas, there were still several people needing a place to stay.

Mary Lynn Foster, regional Chief Executive Officer for Michigan’s Red Cross, said since the previous night, about 20 residents came in to shelters the organization set up, though that number is fluctuating.

State of emergency declared for Southwest Michigan

Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer declared a state of emergency Tuesday night for Kalamazoo, St. Joseph, Branch and Cass Counties.

“Michigan is strong and together we can rebuild,” she wrote on X.

In a statement, Whitmer wrote that the state of emergency was declared to expedite resources and Michicagion’s State Emergency Operations Center to the impacted areas.

“My heart goes out to those impacted by tonight’s ever weather in Michigan,” Whitmer wrote.

Speaking to reporters Wednesday, Whitmer said she feels “lucky” there were no reported fatalities, but added the “devestation is real” for displaced families and businesses.

“The most inspiring thing is seeing fellow neighbors helping each other,” she said.

Deadly Oklahoma tornado

Tuesday’s storms came after parts of the central U.S. were battered by heavy rain, strong winds, hail and twisters.

On Monday night, a deadly twister in Oklahoma tore through the small 1,000-person town of Barnsdall. At least one person was killed and another was missing. Dozens of homes were destroyed.

Oklahoma Gov. Kevin Stitt, who toured the twister’s damage on Tuesday, said it was rated by weather researchers as a violent tornado with winds reaching up to 200 mph.

Stitt said he and legislative leaders have agreed to set aside $45 million in this year’s budget to help storm-damaged communities.

Areas in Oklahoma, including Sulphur and Holdenville, are still recovering from a tornado that killed four and left thousands without power late last month.

NewsNation affiliate WOOD and The Associated Press contributed to this report.