PHOTOS: Damage from the EF-2 tornado in Grand Blanc
GRAND BLANC, Mich. (FOX 2) - An EF-2 tornado left debris scattered as the storm ripped out large trees and damaged homes in Grand Blanc early Wednesday morning.
The National Weather Service confirmed the tornado Wednesday afternoon with a peak wind speed of 115 miles per hour with a path of 5.7 miles.
It is only the second time a tornado has been observed in February over Southeast Michigan. The previous one occurred Feb 28th 1974 in southwest Wayne County.
The powerful storm also took down power lines and uprooted gas lines, leading to evacuations until Consumers Energy could repair them.
MORE: How to check power outages
"Their front windows were blown out. We've got windows blown out in the back, lost all our tables. Pool cover went in the pool, but no major damage," said resident Robert Foote.
The Grand Blanc Police Department said the storm touched down around 1:20 a.m. near Dort and Reid in Grand Blanc Township before moving east through Grand Blanc City, Indian Hill Subdivision, the Commons, Kings Pointe Subdivision, through Perry and Belsay roads and then into Atlas Township.
No injuries were reported.
Suspected tornado leaves trail of destruction in Grand Blanc area
A suspected tornado that touched down in Grand Blanc Township early Wednesday knocked down large trees, uprooted gas lines, and damaged homes. The National Weather Service is expected to visit the area soon to determine if the severe storm was in fact a tornado.
These roads are closed, per police:
- Dort Hwy & Reid Road
- Dort Hwy & Grand Blanc Road (Grand Blanc Road is open)
- Dort Hwy & Gibson Road
- Reid Road & Porter Road