Tornado Packing 100-110 Mph Winds Hits West Michigan
KENTWOOD, Mich. (AP/WWJ) - The National Weather Service says a tornado packing winds of 100 to 110 miles per hour hit the Grand Rapids area, causing heavy damage across its short path on the ground.
Forecaster Brian Meade said Monday that the tornado was high in the weather service's EF-1 range. It touched down only briefly, with most of the damage taking place between 10:20 and 10:30 p.m. Sunday.
There was extensive damage to buildings, including a banquet center and several homes, officials said. No deaths were reported, but at least two people were seriously hurt.
Kentwood Mayor Stephen Kepley said the two injured people needed hospitalization after being pulled from their collapsed homes Sunday night. He says his community opened up its parks and recreation facilities early Monday and 54 people took shelter overnight.
The tornado came as a severe thunderstorm hit western Michigan.
Power is also out to much of that area with over 9,000 Consumers Energy customers affected, Monday afternoon; and an estimated 17,000 statewide.
Another "thin line" of thunderstorms moving east-southeast across the region hit metro Detroit on Monday afternoon.
WWJ AccuWeather Meteorologist Dave Bowers said that storm would be brief, followed by a cloudy and muggy night and another spotty shower toward daybreak.
All of that is ahead of a couple rounds of showers and another thunderstorm in the forecast for Tuesday.
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