LANSING, MI — Recently, a very active weeklong weather pattern over the central U.S. brought severe storms through Michigan. Strong winds, hail and one reported tornado damaged homes and businesses and caused fatalities.
Sue Jenkinson and Tammy Banovick are dazed after a large tree in their front yard was ripped from the ground. The tree caused minimal damage to their home.
Jenkinson was outside cleaning branches from their vehicles and the tree fell right beside her. Banovick watched in fear from the window and thought the tree had fallen on Sue.
Banovick said, “I was screaming for Tammy to move out of the way. She couldn’t hear me due to the raging storm. I’m just glad that she was not hurt.
There was significant damage done all across the state. Meteorologist Dr. Martin Baxter from Central Michigan University comments on the catastrophic weather patterns and what Michigan can expect in the near future.
Baxter said, "The particular line of storms that moved through Michigan on June 8 is unique in that it is classified as a ‘derecho,’ a Spanish word which can be defined as ‘straight ahead.’ A line of storms is classified as a derecho when it exhibits many reports of strong winds over a widespread area. Just as a group of many smaller rotating storms can produce an outbreak of tornadoes, a derecho can produce an outbreak of severe straight-line winds."
Baxter said, “The events on Sunday demonstrate that the threat from straight-line winds can be just as deadly as that from a tornado. In the presence of such a threat, one should take the same precautions as would be taken if a tornado were approaching. Threats from flash floods can persist for several hours, if not days, after the majority of the rain has fallen.”
Despite the increasing ability of meteorologists to provide the public with adequate warnings on severe weather, some injuries and fatalities will be more difficult to prevent due to the high degree of danger associated with severe weather conditions.
Baxter added, “It is best to take cover indoors if at all possible and stay tuned to local weather information when skies appear threatening or when significant rain has fallen over a short period."
Governor Jennifer M. Granholm issued an executive order activating the Michigan National Guard to assist Lansing and Saginaw and the counties of Allegan, Eaton and Mason operating under a state of emergency because of storms that swept the state.
The National Guard has been providing assistance to the city of Lansing in removing debris that may be blocking line of sight at traffic intersections, blocking fire hydrants, or otherwise posing an unacceptable level of risk to public safety.
Baxter explained that over the coming days, cooler, drier conditions will provide us with a respite from the severe weather. He added that although medium range forecasts suggest the active pattern at the jet stream level will persist. This suggests continued above-normal precipitation for the upper Midwest.
Baxter said, “On average, early to middle July is the most likely time for tornadoes, severe wind and hail in Michigan. Thus, we definitely have not seen the end of the severe weather season in Michigan."
For assistance in getting trees removed call 2-1-1.
Chestnut Street – A tree fell on this vehicle and
damaged
it during one of the recent storms that passed
through Michigan.
Photo by Nicole Wallace
