Tornado at our Michigan community

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Old 07-26-2021, 06:08 AM
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Default Tornado at our Michigan community

Our Alexa in my TV office is set for our home in Michigan, on Saturday. At 7pm tornado warning, take cover. At 7:58 a EF1 tornado touched down a mile from our home. We only had small tree damage that our cameras picked up.

Sadly the tornado came through our daughters subdivision, 1/3 of the homes were destroyed, the rest have roof and some structural damage. Over 100 trees blocked off all roads to the homes. Within 36 minutes an all call for anyone with chainsaws to help clear the roads so power, and rescue units could get in. A path was open in 7 hours, with the help of over 100 strangers working all night.

Every home had basements, and only one injured. Our daughters home lost part of their roof, but everyone is safe. Power may not be restored for weeks. So thankful that we have our home that they can move to. Sadly not everyone has that ability.

We are grateful for all those volunteers who came to help strangers in need.

Our daughter said the one bright light, they now have a view of the lake from their house, because woods is now clear of all the giant Oak trees.

One always has to have a warped sense of humor in a natural disaster.

Last edited by thelegges; 07-26-2021 at 06:26 AM.
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Old 07-26-2021, 06:54 AM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by thelegges View Post
Our Alexa in my TV office is set for our home in Michigan, on Saturday. At 7pm tornado warning, take cover. At 7:58 a EF1 tornado touched down a mile from our home. We only had small tree damage that our cameras picked up.

Sadly the tornado came through our daughters subdivision, 1/3 of the homes were destroyed, the rest have roof and some structural damage. Over 100 trees blocked off all roads to the homes. Within 36 minutes an all call for anyone with chainsaws to help clear the roads so power, and rescue units could get in. A path was open in 7 hours, with the help of over 100 strangers working all night.

Every home had basements, and only one injured. Our daughters home lost part of their roof, but everyone is safe. Power may not be restored for weeks. So thankful that we have our home that they can move to. Sadly not everyone has that ability.

We are grateful for all those volunteers who came to help strangers in need.

Our daughter said the one bright light, they now have a view of the lake from their house, because woods is now clear of all the giant Oak trees.

One always has to have a warped sense of humor in a natural disaster.
Seems your family is prone to natural disasters. Wasn't it your son that had hurricane damage a couple of years ago? Glad to hear they are OK.
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Old 07-26-2021, 08:48 AM
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Seems your family is prone to natural disasters. Wasn't it your son that had hurricane damage a couple of years ago? Glad to hear they are OK.
Yep he is on coastal North Caroline, Hurricanes are a way of life. But stilts are their friend, and evacuating is always expected. Every tropical and hurricane is on their path. It’s their summer home, and are heading there today, so expect some weather disturbance soon

In Michigan we get tornadoes but many areas are sparsely populated, unless you live in the city. By us we have thousands of forest acres with pockets of small communities. Usually the tornado hits and no one is effected. As of this morning estimated up and running utilities may be a month or longer. As for the houses, building material is at a premium, so blue tarps May be a common site until fall.

But the new lake view is breathtaking

Last edited by thelegges; 07-26-2021 at 09:17 AM.
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Old 07-26-2021, 09:15 AM
Bjeanj Bjeanj is offline
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Wow, I’m sorry they went through that. Very frightening, but the community pulled together, which is just wonderful.
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Old 07-26-2021, 09:36 AM
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Sounds frightening. Good to hear that your family is safe. And that people came through to help in an emergency.

It could happen here in TV with our tornado and hurricane warnings.
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Old 07-26-2021, 09:53 AM
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Originally Posted by thelegges View Post
Our Alexa in my TV office is set for our home in Michigan, on Saturday. At 7pm tornado warning, take cover. At 7:58 a EF1 tornado touched down a mile from our home. We only had small tree damage that our cameras picked up.

Sadly the tornado came through our daughters subdivision, 1/3 of the homes were destroyed, the rest have roof and some structural damage. Over 100 trees blocked off all roads to the homes. Within 36 minutes an all call for anyone with chainsaws to help clear the roads so power, and rescue units could get in. A path was open in 7 hours, with the help of over 100 strangers working all night.

Every home had basements, and only one injured. Our daughters home lost part of their roof, but everyone is safe. Power may not be restored for weeks. So thankful that we have our home that they can move to. Sadly not everyone has that ability.

We are grateful for all those volunteers who came to help strangers in need.

Our daughter said the one bright light, they now have a view of the lake from their house, because woods is now clear of all the giant Oak trees.

One always has to have a warped sense of humor in a natural disaster.
Is that the one that hit Armada? We lived not terribly far away in Shelby Twp. until '06. It's a very nice part of Michigan up that way. Sorry to hear about all the damage!
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Old 07-26-2021, 09:59 AM
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Yesterday Michigan crew at 519 in the area. At 6am crews from Ohio and Indiana arrived and crew number is at 2486. She just sent pictures of Houses just few doors down that are completely leveled. Without their basements there would have been loss of life.
She feels lucky to have a home still standing, damage and all.

Everyone started cooking food from their freezers, and are helping feed the mass of welcome hero’s in their neighborhood. Gas in the area is at a premium, limited to the crews, generators, and healthcare workers. Business that lost power are bring in food for the residents and crews.

She is so proud to live in a community that steps up to help.
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Old 07-26-2021, 10:16 AM
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Originally Posted by roscoguy View Post
Is that the one that hit Armada? We lived not terribly far away in Shelby Twp. until '06. It's a very nice part of Michigan up that way. Sorry to hear about all the damage!
No, she was the White Lake tornado. The area is nothing but lakes and trees the size of TVs live oaks. The roads for 5 miles into their sub had massive trees down. She took her 3 kids, 3 bulldogs, and 3 cats, to our home. She and her husband is staying at the house keeping man of the generator, and cutting up the trees that fell around houses on their street.

She started a post asking for those who had power to help bring food to the area for workers and volunteers. Pet food for those who lost everything.
3 food trucks just arrived, and the owner of the local pet store that is out of power brought supplies for anyone that is in need. She is well known in her community for helping abused women and children. Plus her fundraising for rescue of pets.

The internet is a powerful force of help

Last edited by thelegges; 07-26-2021 at 10:32 AM.
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Old 07-26-2021, 10:52 AM
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Thelegges, which lake? What community? We lived in West Michigan for 25 years, 16 of them in a marina in Muskegon Lake just off the big lake. I always thought we were lucky to be in a state that had virtually no flooding, no hurricanes, and tornados were few and far between. A magnificant, beautiful state. I think we had one blizzard, late '90s. I'm glad your family is safe and has your house to go to.
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Old 07-26-2021, 11:13 AM
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Originally Posted by CFrance View Post
Thelegges, which lake? What community? We lived in West Michigan for 25 years, 16 of them in a marina in Muskegon Lake just off the big lake. I always thought we were lucky to be in a state that had virtually no flooding, no hurricanes, and tornados were few and far between. A magnificant, beautiful state. I think we had one blizzard, late '90s. I'm glad your family is safe and has your house to go to.
She lives in White Lake Township, and her lake is Pontiac Lake. So on the mitten, mid state 30 miles south Flint, and 35 miles north of Detroit. Of anyone that comes from Michigan knows that you can’t throw a rock without hitting a lake.
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