A Night of Severe Weather
The tornado warning Michigan events on May 15–16, 2025, brought chaos to much of the state as severe thunderstorms swept through, triggering dozens of warnings across West and Mid-Michigan. From Muskegon to Lansing, the National Weather Service (NWS) in Grand Rapids issued multiple tornado and severe thunderstorm warnings, with reports of damaging winds, power outages, and a radar-confirmed tornado near Lansing. As of 4:58 PM IST on May 16 (7:28 AM EDT in Michigan), the worst has passed, but the aftermath is still unfolding.
Storms began along Lake Michigan around 8 p.m. on May 15, hitting Muskegon, Grand Haven, and South Haven before moving inland. By 9:57 p.m., 80 mph winds were reported in Roosevelt Park, Muskegon County, per MLive. Tornado warnings followed, impacting areas like Muskegon, Norton Shores, and Muskegon Heights until 10:15 p.m., and Lansing, East Lansing, and Holt until 12:15 a.m. on May 16.
Tornado and Storm Impact Across Michigan
A tornado warning Michigan alert was critical near Lansing, where a radar-confirmed tornado was spotted along the I-69 corridor southwest of the city around 11:38 p.m., as reported by Fox 17 News. Eaton County officials noted a possible tornado at Lansing Road and Canal Road in Delta Township. Tornado warnings also covered Clinton, Eaton, Calhoun, and Ionia counties, with some expiring by 11:45 p.m. Ingham County’s tornado watch was canceled by 1:30 a.m., per Fox 47 News, but a severe thunderstorm warning lingered for Washtenaw County until the same time.
Grand Rapids faced intense conditions, with warning sirens sounding at 10:06 p.m. and reports of street flooding by 11:18 p.m., according to MLive. A tornado warning for northwestern Allegan County and southern Ottawa County lasted until 10:45 p.m., while Kent and Newaygo counties saw severe thunderstorm warnings. WWMT reported downed trees and power lines across West Michigan, causing outages in Kalamazoo, Battle Creek, and Holland. In Mid-Michigan, WNEM noted outages in Gratiot, Midland, Saginaw, and Bay counties after tornado warnings late Thursday night.
Current Conditions and Damage Reports
As of May 16, 2025, severe weather has moved out of most Michigan neighborhoods, per Fox 47 News. However, the NWS in Detroit warned that Michigan’s weather can be unpredictable, with conditions often changing rapidly. No confirmed tornado touchdowns have been reported yet, but the NWS is investigating potential touchdowns near Lansing and Eaton County. Damage reports include widespread wind damage, with gusts up to 76 mph recorded in Battle Creek before the station went offline, per MLive.
Power outages remain a concern. WWMT and WNEM highlighted that neighborhoods in Kalamazoo, Muskegon, and Saginaw are still without power due to fallen lines. Residents can check outage statuses through local utility providers, as suggested by the Detroit Free Press. Grand Rapids weather today shows a high of 86°F with a 60% chance of rain before 8 a.m., per the Lansing State Journal, while Lansing weather indicates clearing skies after a stormy night.
Safety Tips for Michigan Residents
The tornado warning Michigan events underscore the importance of preparedness. The NWS advises treating severe thunderstorm warnings as seriously as tornado warnings due to risks like 58 mph winds and 1-inch hail, which were present last night. If indoors during a storm, seek shelter in the lowest, most interior room of a sturdy building, away from windows. For those caught outside, find a low-lying area and avoid tall objects that could attract lightning.
Live weather radar from sources like WOOD TV 8 and WWMT can help track storms in real-time. Doppler radar showed the storm’s progression from Grand Rapids to Detroit overnight, with severe weather hitting Detroit between 10 p.m. and 3 a.m., per the Detroit Free Press. Residents in Oakland County, Saginaw, and Midland should stay alert, as these areas were under warnings earlier this week, though no new alerts are active as of now.
Community Response and What’s Next
The Michigan community is reeling from the storm’s impact. On X, users expressed alarm at the severity, with some noting the “tornado threat moving into Olivet and Charlotte” late Thursday. Others praised local news outlets like WZZM 13 and WILX for their live coverage, which kept residents informed. Fox 17 News reported that the NWS issued dozens of warnings, reflecting the storm’s widespread reach from the lakeshore to Lansing.
Looking ahead, the NWS will continue assessing damage to confirm any tornado touchdowns. For now, there’s no indication of a tornado in Michigan right now, but the state’s history of rapid weather changes—evidenced by past events like the five tornadoes on March 30, 2025, in Cass, Ingham, Kent, and Newaygo counties—means vigilance is key.
See Also https://scoopusa24.com/nottoway-plantation-louisiana-destroyed-fire-2025/