Powerful tornadoes sweep through southwestern Michigan causing destruction and injuries across the region

Published: 08 May 2024 at 09:18

Weather

Tornadoes and storms caused destruction in southwestern Michigan, with a dozen people injured in Pavilion Township and minor injuries in Kalamazoo County. A FedEx facility in Portage suffered significant roof and structural damage, trapping 50 people inside temporarily. The National Weather Service reported two tornadoes hitting the Portage area, causing damage to residential and commercial buildings, downed trees, and gas leaks. The Village of Centreville in St Joseph County also faced significant damage with multiple buildings destroyed after a possible tornado touched down.

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Severe Storms in West Virginia Lead to Five Tornadoes and State of Emergency Declaration

Last week, severe storms in West Virginia resulted in five tornadoes, more than double the state's average for a year. The National Weather Service confirmed a weak tornado with 100 mph winds hit along the Wayne-Cabell county line, causing extensive damage. Governor Jim Justice declared a state of emergency in 15 counties to expedite response efforts. No fatalities were reported from the tornadoes, with three in Kanawha County and one in Fayette County.

Severe thunderstorms and tornado outbreak hitting the Plains

A severe weather outbreak is affecting Kansas, Oklahoma, North Texas, Iowa, Nebraska, Missouri, and Texas, with large tornadoes, hail, and damaging winds expected. Tornado warnings have been issued with a potential for strong tornadoes and widespread damaging winds. The National Weather Service has highlighted a rare Level 4 out of 5 risk of severe weather with warnings of strong tornadoes. Flood risk is also significant in certain areas, with a Level 3 to 4 risk of flash flooding issued. Multiple tornadoes have already caused damage in Nebraska, Iowa, and parts of Kansas and Texas.

Dangerous thunderstorms and tornadoes forecasted in the Plains, specifically Oklahoma and Kansas

The National Weather Service predicts a rare Level 5 high risk of tornado-producing thunderstorms in the Plains, focusing on central Oklahoma to southern Kansas. 1.6 million people in Oklahoma and Kansas are under a High Risk alert for long-track tornadoes, giant hail, and hurricane-force wind gusts. The severe weather threat extends from Texas to South Dakota and Iowa. The Storm Prediction Center warns of numerous severe thunderstorms, with potential for intense, long-track tornadoes and very large to giant hail. High-risk areas include Oklahoma City, Norman, and parts of Kansas. The severe weather threat will shift eastward towards the Ohio Valley, affecting major cities like Indianapolis and Nashville.

Tornados Cause Destruction in Oklahoma and Colorado, Delay Flights in Denver

Tornados hit Oklahoma, destroying several homes in Barnsdall, causing power outages and extensive damage in Bartlesville and nearby areas. Colorado felt the storm, resulting in over 1,100 flight delays at Denver International Airport. The National Weather Service issued tornado warnings for Southern Kansas, Western and Central Oklahoma, and Western North Texas, with punishing hail and strong winds affecting millions.

Severe Weather Closes Schools and Government Offices in Gulf Coast States

Severe thunderstorms and potential tornadoes prompted the closure of schools and government offices in Louisiana, Mississippi, Alabama, and the Florida panhandle. The National Weather Service warned of damaging winds exceeding 75 mph, heavy rain, hail, and tornadoes across the Gulf Coast and Deep South. Louisiana State University closed its campus, with over 100,000 customers without power in Louisiana and 30,000 in Mississippi due to the vigorous storm system originating from the southern Rockies and Gulf of Mexico moisture.

Severe Winter Storm Threatens Millions in Central Plains to Midwest with Blizzards, Tornadoes, and Power Outages

Over 20 million people in the Central Plains to Midwest are under 'severe' blizzard and thunderstorm warnings, with tornadoes expected in southern states. The storm is causing power outages and dangerous travel conditions. The National Weather Service issued alerts for snow, blizzards, freezing rain, and tornadoes. Space weather forecasters also warn of geomagnetic storms. Specific states like Minnesota and Colorado face heavy snow and high winds, while Nebraska, South Dakota, and Minnesota are at risk of blizzard conditions.

Centreville, Michigan (Wikipedia)

Centreville is a village in the U.S. state of Michigan and the county seat of St. Joseph County. The population was 1,425 at the 2010 census.

Slidell tornado survivor recounts screams to take cover before terrifying storm began to destroy building

A woman who survived a tornado in Slidell, Louisiana, tells FOX Weather Correspondent Robert Ray that she remembers seeing gray clouds swirling toward her before a co-worker shouted for everyone to take cover as glass shattered and debris filled the air. SLIDELL, La. Deadly severe weather tore across the South and along the Gulf Coast on Wednesday, with powerful thunderstorms producing tornadoes that impacted communities such as the New Orleans suburb of Slidell in Louisiana . The National Weather Service sent out a storm survey team in the aftermath of the storm and Thursday upgraded the tornado to an EF-2 , with estimated winds of 120 mph over a 9.3-mile long path.

High winds in central US prompt power outages, wildfire danger

High winds reaching up to 100 mph in Denver and Boulder, Colorado, knocked out power to over 300,000 customers, led to damaged property, and increased wildfire risk. Xcel Energy planned power line de-energization to prevent fires. Firefighters battled wildfires in Oklahoma amid winds as strong as 60 mph. States like Kansas, Texas, and Oklahoma activated emergency responses to address the extreme fire danger. The National Weather Service issued alerts across multiple states, warning of power outages, travel disruptions, blowing dust, and wildfire spread due to the high winds and dry conditions.

Centreville, Mississippi (Wikipedia)

Centreville is a town in Amite and Wilkinson counties, Mississippi, United States. It is part of the McComb, Mississippi micropolitan statistical area. Its population was 1,258 in 2020.Bethany Presbyterian Church is a historic church in Centreville, built in 1855, and added to the National Register of Historic Places in 2003.The town was incorporated in 1880, and it was a small settlement in the years prior. In 1880, the Yazoo and Mississippi Valley R.R. ran along the border between Wilkinson and Amite counties. Because the station was approximately midway between Liberty and Woodville and about midway between Natchez and Baton Rouge, it was appropriately named Centreville.

St. Joseph County, Michigan (Wikipedia)

St. Joseph County is a county located in the U.S. state of Michigan, on the central southern border with Indiana. As of the 2020 United States Census, the population was 60,939. The county seat is Centreville.French colonists in the late 17th century were the first Europeans to explore this territory, and they named the St. Joseph River for the patron saint of New France. This area was not part of the United States until after the American Revolutionary War. After the 1821 Treaty of Chicago was signed, regional tribes of the indigenous peoples ceded much land to the United States, opening the area for American settlement. The county was set off and organized by the Michigan Territory legislature in 1829; it was named for the river.The area is home to the oldest and largest Amish community in Michigan.St. Joseph County comprises the Sturgis, MI Micropolitan Statistical Area and is included in the Kalamazoo-Battle Creek-Portage, MI Combined Statistical Area.