UNION CITY, MI (WTVB) – There were some anxious moments as thunderstorms rolled through the area on Saturday night.
One storm that the National Weather Service said was capable of producing a tornado that was spotted near Union City just before 7:30 p.m. prompted the issuing of a tornado Warning for southern Calhoun County. Radar also indicated rotation in the storm.
Numerous pictures and videos of the storm cloud were posted on social media sites. No touchdowns were reported and the tornado warning expired at 8:15 p.m..
Southern Branch County was placed under a Severe Thunderstorm Warning from 7:53 p.m. until 8:45 p.m. Saturday because of a strong thunderstorm that developed over the Fremont, Indiana area and moved northeast. The storm stayed south of the city of Coldwater.
Racing was cancelled for the night at Butler Motor Speedway. The storms also led to the evacuation of Muddy Waters Stadium at Hillsdale College during halftime of Hillsdale’s football game with Mercyhurst. Fans attending the game were directed to move inside to the Dawn Tibbetts Potter Arena next door. The game was delayed for two-and-a-half hours before it resumed at around 10:30 p.m.. Hillsdale eventually won 14-9.
Another Severe Thunderstorm Warning was issued by the National Weather Service from 11:53 p.m. Saturday until 12:45 a.m. Sunday for northeastern St. Joseph County and northwestern Branch County because of a severe thunderstorm located near Colon.
National Weather Service officials say at least five tornadoes were also reported in northern lower Michigan Saturday evening.
