The National Weather Service says two confirmed tornadoes and likely as many as a dozen passed through the area Tuesday between 5 pm and 6 pm. The most damage was reported around Portage in Kalamazoo County. At a FedEx facility in Portage, 20 people escaped safely but the building suffered heavy damage. Multiple injuries reported at a nearby trailer park. Cass and Van Buren counties saw tornado activity. Twin Lakes, northeast of Dowagiac had several tornado reports and damage. A confirmed tornado touched down near Decatur in Van Buren County, although there are no reports of any major damage.
The strong storms slammed southwest Michigan in the late afternoon, bringing with them numerous tornado and severe thunderstorm warnings for Berrien, Cass, and Van Buren counties. The storm in some places also brought golf ball-sized hail — some places larger.
Governor Gretchen Whitmer has declared a state of emergency for Kalamazoo, St. Joseph, Branch, and Cass counties, saying her heart goes out to those affected. The governor says state and local emergency teams are on the ground, working to respond. By declaring a state of emergency, Whitmer has made available all state resources in cooperation with local response and recovery efforts in the named areas.
Some of the damage reports received:
*** Michigan City, Indiana – around 3:30 pm ET Tuesday, reports of vehicle damage and tree limbs down a sudden burst of wind followed by a train noise.
*** New Buffalo hail around 4:30 pm ET, strong winds and hail stones around 1 inch diameter.
*** Berrien Springs reporting inch-sized hail around 5:00 pm ET.
*** In Dowagiac, just after 5 pm ET, the historic Ramona Skating Rink was reportedly hit by lightning, caught fire, and became fully engulfed. Appears to be a total loss.
*** Est. 5:15 pm ET, a tornado spotted 3 miles northeast of Dowagiac – just southeast of Twin Lakes (Gage St and Atwood Rd).
*** Est 5:15 pm ET, tornado 4 miles NE of Dowagiac, still near Twin Lakes, tree and small structure damage
*** Est. 5:42 pm ET, Centerville, Colon, ESE of Mendon
*** Est 6:00 pm ET, Sherwood and Leonidas — tornadoes spotted with damage in Sherwood along Arney Road. Trees snapped and damage to at least one house, along with tennis ball sized hail around Leonidas, Union City.
