(Source: MIRS.news, Published 05/07/2024) (PORTAGE) – Gov. Gretchen Whitmer declared a state of emergency for Kalamazoo, St. Joseph, Branch and Cass counties Tuesday night after at least two confirmed tornadoes and softball-size hail hit the area, leaving significant damage to buildings and roads.
By declaring a state of emergency, Whitmer has made available all state resources in cooperation with local response and recovery efforts in the designated area. Also, the Michigan State Police, Emergency Management and Homeland Security Division are charged with coordinating state efforts above and beyond what is done in conjunction with local agencies.
Whitmer posted on social media that emergency teams were working to assist anyone affected and asked everyone to monitor the severe weather alerts and follow the advice of emergency officials.
“My heart goes out to all those affected by tonight's severe weather in southwest Michigan,” Whitmer wrote. “Emergency teams are on the ground and working to assist Michiganders. I encourage everyone to continue monitoring severe weather alerts and follow the advice of emergency officials.”
Portage in Kalamazoo County saw a direct hit from a tornado, and other tornadoes reportedly hit Dowagiac in Van Buren County and Union City in Calhoun County as the line of storms blew through the area.
A strip mall was severely damaged. The roof of a FedEx building in Portage collapsed and portions of a mobile home park were destroyed after one of the tornadoes plowed a path through Portage.
Consumers Energy reported nearly 27,000 people without power, and Indiana Michigan Power reported about 200 outages, mainly near the path of the twisters.
Portage reported there were no severe injuries, but many people were displaced after their homes were destroyed.
