Michigan Wing Members Portal, Civil Air Patrol

(GRAND RAPIDS, MI) - Severe weather across the state was responsible for six deaths in 2008. Four of the fatalities were related to flooding and two were a result of severe thunderstorm winds. In addition, there were four reported injuries, and over $300 million in damages. Fourteen tornadoes touched down in Michigan last year, near the average of 16.

As another severe weather season approaches, Governor Jennifer Granholm has declared March 29 - April 4, 2009, as Severe Weather Awareness Week in Michigan.

“Although last year’s severe weather season was pretty typical for Michigan, it does not tell the entire story,” said Mark Walton, Michigan Committee for Severe Weather Awareness Chair. “Several significant events such as the June 8 squall line and the June 12 and 13 floods, led to many local tragedies where homes, businesses and lives were destroyed. Since Michigan weather can change swiftly, it is important to monitor weather conditions and take seriously watches and warnings issued by the National Weather Service.”

The Michigan Committee for Severe Weather Awareness encourages residents to review tornado safety procedures, and to have a preparedness plan in place. Members of the committee include: National Weather Service, Michigan Department of Environmental Quality, American Red Cross, Insurance Institute of Michigan, Michigan Emergency Management Association, Michigan Department of State Police, WDIV-TV, State Farm Insurance, Michigan Sheriffs’ Association, and Michigan Earth Science Teachers Association.

For the second consecutive year, Michigan’s severe weather season started relatively quiet with only one significant severe weather event on April 11 when severe thunderstorms struck mainly southern lower Michigan. Winds up to 70 mph and hail as large as golf balls were reported. There was also one Michigan April tornado, an EF-1 which tracked for five miles across southeast Allegan County and into northeast Barry County.

June 6-8 was very active for severe thunderstorms in Michigan. There was widespread straight-line wind damage and three weak tornadoes. June 8 was the most destructive day as an active line of thunderstorms moved through lower Michigan during the afternoon. Winds gusted up to 90 mph which enhanced the damage over portions of lower Michigan, including Ogemaw, Tuscola, Genesee, Oakland and Macomb counties. Thousands of trees were lost and there was considerable roof damage. Two people lost their lives when trees fell on their vehicles. Nearly 500,000 homes and businesses lost power. In addition to the straight-line winds, an EF-1 tornado struck the Lansing area. That tornado was on the ground for about 10 miles, destroying a cooling tower at the Lansing Board of Water and Light Eckert Plant. The heavy rain from three days of severe weather also produced flash flooding,

especially across southwest lower Michigan. Three people died in the flash floods in Allegan and Ottawa counties. Damages from the June 8 event were over $100 million. Severe thunderstorms that hit the state on June 12 and 13 were one of the biggest and most costly in northern Michigan in many years. The event included two weak tornadoes, widespread straight-line wind damage with gusts to 80 mph and flash flooding. Spotters in Manistee and Wellston measured around six inches of rain in a few hours on June 12-13. Radar estimated up to 10 inches of rainfall along the southern border of Manistee County. At one point the majority of roads in the south half of Manistee County were under water. In the city of Manistee, asphalt, stop signs, and light posts were flushed into Lake Michigan by the raging waters.

The last significant severe weather event occurred September 13 and 14. Moisture and the remnants of the Pacific Tropical Storm Lowell and then the Gulf of Mexico’s Hurricane Ike hit Michigan on back-to-back days. These storms produced widespread rainfall totals of 5 to 10 inches which lead to widespread flooding. In addition to the flooding, five tornadoes touched down from Paw Paw to Plymouth during the afternoon and evening of September 13.

According to the Michigan Committee for Severe Weather Awareness, the best time to prepare for severe weather is before it happens. The Committee suggests:

• Be sure everyone in the household knows where to go and what to do in case of severe weather no matter
• whether they are at home, workplace or school.
• As a thunderstorm approaches and you hear thunder, run to the nearest shelter. You are not safe anywhere outside.
• If a tornado warning is issued for your area or if you feel threatened by the storm, go to the basement and get under something sturdy. If no basement is available, go to an interior part of the building on the lowest level.
• A good rule of thumb is to put as many walls between you and the tornado as possible.
• Listen to a NOAA All Hazard Weather Radio, or local radio, television and cable stations for the latest
• weather updates.

For additional information: Mark Walton, Chair, 616/949-0643, Ext. 493, or any member of the MCSWA
For more information visit www.mcswa.org