KALAMAZOO COUNTY — Strong to severe thunderstorms blasted through our southern counties Friday night with 60 mile per hour wind gusts taking down trees, branches, and limbs across Kalamazoo and Calhoun Counties.
The attached snapshot is from Consumer’s Energy and shows the approximate number of customers without power…mainly across our southern counties. The National Weather Service had several reports of 50 to 60 mph wind gusts, trees down, and power outages. Even Van Buren County (Mattawan) had several trees that were reportedly blown over by strong thunderstorm winds.
More reports came in from Stanley Corners in Calhoun County with trees and power lines being toppled. Also, reports of several trees being knocked down south of I94 in Leroy Township. Portage was reporting some wind damage, along with Bedford and Emmett Township in Calhoun County.
While most of the damage and outages were across certain locations, a majority of our FOX 17 viewing area escaped the severe weather as a strong cold front pressed through the state. It’s very difficult to transition from a hazy/hot/humid air mass to a much cooler/drier air mass without some repercussions or ramifications of strong/severe storms.
While high temperatures on Saturday will likely still reach the mid 80s, the air mass itself with be much drier and not nearly as moisture laden and humid. We’ll all notice the difference!
Just a reminder…Lake Michigan will have a high beach hazard risk (again) up and down the coast on Saturday. Red flags will likely be flying (especially in the afternoon) and swimming is not advised due to the possibility of strong rip current, structural current, and longshore current risks. Get the complete West Michigan forecast at www.fox17online.com/weather.
