Severe storms continued to batter the Midwest on May 9, 2024, leaving a trail of destruction in their wake. In Michigan alone, two tornadoes touched down in Portage and Kalamazoo County, causing significant damage to homes and businesses.
The first tornado struck Pavilion Estates Mobile Home Park in Kalamazoo County, destroying around 15 to 17 mobile homes and injuring some residents. The second tornado hit a FedEx facility in Portage, trapping about 50 workers inside but thankfully all were safely rescued.
Portage Mayor Patricia M. Randall reported that over 100 families have been displaced due to the tornado damage. No fatalities were reported from the incidents, but injuries occurred.
The National Weather Service confirmed that an EF2 tornado touched down in the Portage area, with winds reaching up to 135 mph. The twister was on the ground for 22 minutes and traveled a distance of 11 miles from Texas Corners to Morrow Lake.
Governor Gretchen Whitmer declared a state of emergency for Kalamazoo and neighboring counties following the tornado damage. The community is now in recovery mode, with cleanup efforts underway.
Ohio was also hit by severe storms on May 8, with nine tornadoes confirmed in four counties. Mercer and Auglaize Counties were particularly affected, with two tornadoes touching down in each county. The third tornado was reported in only Mercer County west of Coldwater.
Damage from the storms extended beyond Ohio and Michigan, with severe weather affecting parts of Texas, Tennessee Valley, Ohio Valley region, Nashville, Tennessee; Lexington, Kentucky; Charleston, South Carolina; Bowling Green and Paducah in Kentucky; and Clarksville and Knoxville in Tennessee.
The Midwest has experienced a highly active weather pattern since April 1. The peak months for severe weather are April and May. It is important to stay informed about the latest weather conditions, as severe storms can cause significant damage.
