COLDWATER, MI (WTVB) – Four tornadoes have now been confirmed across West Michigan following a powerful line of storms that swept through the region Tuesday night into early Wednesday morning.
In its latest update Thursday, the National Weather Service confirmed that one of those tornadoes—rated EF-0—touched down in Branch County.
Damage was reported south and southeast of Coldwater during the early morning hours Wednesday as the storms moved through. After surveying the დაზamaged areas and reviewing submitted photos and location data, meteorologists determined that an EF-0 tornado had indeed tracked through the area.
Damage included a destroyed barn on Sanford Road, several damaged structures on S Angola Road, a roof blown off a building at Carleton Equipment on E Fenn Road, and multiple down trees and power lines, knocking out power to over a thousand Consumers Energy customers.
Branch County was not alone in seeing tornadic activity. The National Weather Service also confirmed additional tornadoes elsewhere in West Michigan from the same storm system. These included brief EF-0 tornadoes in parts of Kalamazoo, Allegan, and Ottawa counties, each causing minor damage such as downed trees, power lines, and structural impacts to outbuildings.
All of the confirmed tornadoes so far have been rated EF-0, the lowest category on the Enhanced Fujita scale, with estimated wind speeds between 65 and 85 miles per hour.
The National Weather Service says more detailed information about each tornado’s path length, width, and exact timing will be released as damage surveys are finalized.
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