COLDWATER, MI (WTVB) – Branch County Emergency Management Coordinator Tim Miner told the 9-1-1 Board on Wednesday they have applied for a FEMA declaration following the EF-1 tornado that touched down south of Coldwater during the early morning hours of Wednesday, April 15.
The tornado, which occurred between 1:04 a.m. and 1:07 a.m. reached estimated peak winds of 90 MPH.
But Miner said he was not “super hopeful” about their FEMA request because the federal agency is assessing storms in 30 other Michigan counties. He added they got Small Business Administration funding because it automatically happens 21 days after a non-response from FEMA.
The April 15 twister was on the ground for over two-and-a-half miles with a maximum width of 100 yards. It started near Sanford and Fenn Roads before moving southeast across Interstate 69 and eventually lifting near South Wood Road. Despite the intensity of the storm, no injuries or deaths were reported.
Initial damage reports included debris from a barn thrown to the east and minor damage to a solar farm’s panels near the touchdown point. Also damaged were pole barns near the interstate and on South Wood Road as well as a garage in the area of Dubendorf and Quimby Roads.
Miner also reported to the 9-1-1 Board he met with Sherwood Township officials this week to discuss long term planning after the EF-3 tornado that hit Union Lake and the Village of Union City on March 6. According to Miner, the challenges include different aspects of zoning, rebuilding and public health codes as well as floating debris in Union Lake.
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