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Storms Produce Large Hail in Southwest Michigan

Posted at 2:03 AM, May 21, 2014
and last updated 2014-05-21 06:03:13-04

KALAMAZOO, Mich. (May 21, 2014) — Scattered thunderstorms moving through Southwest Michigan late Tuesday night were strong enough to produce quarter-size hail in a few locations.

The storms rolled in off of Lake Michigan in a couple of waves, triggering Severe Thunderstorm Warnings from around South Haven through the Kalamazoo and Battle Creek areas.

One-inch-diameter hail was reported at several different places, including Banfield in southern Barry County, Pine Grove in Van Buren County, and in a couple of different locations on the west side of Kalamazoo.  The photo above was sent to FOX 17 by Ericka McKee near the Western Michigan University campus.

This photo came from JC Baldwin II near the corner of Drake Road and KL Avenue:

BigHail_JCBaldwin_Oshtemo

As of 2:00 A.M., scattered thunderstorms were continuing to develop, including around the Muskegon, Holland, and Grand Rapids areas.  Much of West Michigan will see, at minimum, a noisy light show with heavy rain before storms come to an end early Wednesday.

Some localized flooding was already being reported in parts of Allegan and Kalamazoo counties, and additional places may see high water affect roads and small streams before the rain ends.  A Flood Advisory was posted for Kalamazoo and Van Buren counties until 6:30 A.M. Wednesday.

Please post storm photos on the FOX 17 Facebook page, or report severe weather to @FOX17 on Twitter.  Check out interactive radar and the full forecast on the Weather page.