COLDWATER, MI (WTVB) – The severe thunderstorm that rumbled through Branch County on Thursday morning brought heavy rain and high wind gusts of between 60 to 80 miles an hour.
It caused what is being called by City of Coldwater officials as the worst thunderstorm damage ever experienced by the city.
Downed trees, limbs and poles knocked out the power for nearly 1,800 BPU customers.
City of Coldwater and BPU crews immediately began the large cleanup effort.
After it became apparent the damage was more extensive than originally thought, calls went out to neighboring communities such as Hillsdale, Marshall, Sturgis and the City of Bryan, Ohio for mutual assistance.
Crews were trying to get everyone power back in time for the Memorial Day holiday weekend. Several utility poles throughout Coldwater need to be repaired or replaced.
Veteran BPU employees said this was the worst storm damage they had ever experienced in Coldwater.
