Powerful storms spawn tornado in Michigan
OWENDALE, Mich. -- Officials say storms carrying damaging winds and heavy rain spawned at least one tornado in Michigan and knocked out power to more than 200,000 homes and businesses.
The National Weather Service says a tornado hit the Huron County community of Owendale about 6:40 p.m. Sunday, damaging the roof of a school and knocking down trees. Meteorologist Steven Freitag says there were no reports of injuries.
According to CBS Detroit, the severe rains proved to be too much for drainage systems along several area freeways including westbound M-14 past I-275. Standing water filling the center and the right lanes -- limiting traffic to only the left lane -- backing up traffic for miles during the morning rush hour.
The Detroit News reports that the northbound Interstate 75 ramp at eastbound I-94 in Detroit was closed early Monday due to flooding, as was southbound I-75 ramp to eastbound I-94. About a foot of water accumulated on the northbound ramp.
In the northern Lower Peninsula, storms started around 10 a.m. Sunday and lasted for about 12 hours. The Leelanau County community of Glen Arbor was hit hard by winds. Power outages were reported in Traverse City, where a free outdoor movie was scratched.
On Sunday, the Mackinac Bridge connecting Michigan's Upper and Lower peninsulas was temporarily closed at one point as winds hit 65 mph.