Severe thunderstorms have caused widespread power outages and damage in parts of Michigan and Ohio. Nearly 700,000 homes and businesses are without power as a result of the storms, which brought heavy rains, strong winds, and at least one confirmed tornado. The storms moved from southern Michigan into Ohio overnight, with the potential for wind gusts up to 85 mph and hail up to 1.5 inches in diameter. The northern portions of Ohio are also under flood watches due to excessive rainfall. The severe weather caused overturned vehicles on Interstate 96, but fortunately, no life-threatening injuries have been reported in Ingham County.
In Ingham County, Michigan, an “extremely dangerous” tornado was confirmed, causing damage to homes and destruction of barns. However, no injuries were reported, and everyone in houses and buildings remained safe. A roof of an assisted living center collapsed, but all occupants were uninjured. As a result of the storms, 400,000 people in southern Michigan and nearly 300,000 people in northern Ohio were left without power. This severe weather follows an earlier round of heavy rainfall that caused flooding and flight disruptions at the Detroit Metropolitan Wayne County Airport. Despite the closures of roadways and flight cancellations, the situation has since improved.