National Weather Service confirms EF-2 tornado hit Grand Blanc
GRAND BLANC, Mich. (CBS DETROIT) - National Weather Service officials confirmed Wednesday that an EF-2 tornado hit Grand Blanc early Wednesday morning.
The NWS officials surveyed the damage in Grand Blanc Wednesday afternoon after storms moved through the area overnight.
Officials say winds reached 115 miles per hour (EF-2 111 to 135 mph), with a path length of 5.7 miles and a width of 450 yards in a matter of 10 minutes.
NWS reports the tornado started at 1:12 a.m. and lifted at 1:22 a.m. The tornado touched down in Creasey Bicentennial Park. After traveling many miles, the tornado weakened and lifted shortly after it crossed Perry Road.
Large trees were knocked down during the storm, and several homes were damaged. Many residents were evacuated, and once Consumers Energy crews responded and made repairs to leaks, residents could return to their homes, police said.
Due to this, a large part of Grand Blanc is without power, according to Consumers Energy. In addition, the storm uprooted gas lines, causing a leak, so residents may smell a natural gas odor. Crews are working to turn off gas lines and pick up downed power lines.
Police say no deaths or injuries have been reported. Residents were asked to avoid the following areas:
- Dort Highways and Reid Road
- Dort Highway and Grand Blanc Road
- Dort Highway and Gibson Road
- Reid Road and Porter Road
Anyone who sees downed power lines, trees or other debris in the road, smells natural gas or needs any assistance is urged to call 911.
According to Detroit's National Weather Service, this is the second-ever observed tornado in Southeast Michigan for February. The last one was on Feb. 28, 1974, in Wayne County's Sumpter Township.
On Feb. 28, 2017, an EF-1 tornado touched down in Niles, Dowagiac, Vandalia and Centreville.
