KENT COUNTY, Mich. — The National Weather Service has confirmed an EF-1 tornado with 110 mph winds touched down in Kent County Thursday night, leaving behind a trail of destruction.
According to the NWS, the tornado's path was 8.7 miles long, with its path width measuring 100 yards.
The tornado started near Ed Dunneback & Girls Farm in Alpine Township and ended just west of Rockford High School.
Kent County Emergency Management says the main corridor of damage appears to be from Alpine Avenue near 6 Mile, northeast through Belmont.
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A number of homes were left with significant structural damage, and downed trees and power lines are covering roads in the area.
“So far what we’re seeing— Alpine Township, Plainfield Township, Grand Rapids Township are the hardest hit communities in our area. Alpine Avenue is impassable,” Sgt. Brunner told FOX 17 during a live interview late Thursday night.
He added that a building was destroyed in the 5600 block of Alpine Avenue, while the roof from a building across the street ended up in the middle of the road.
Kent County set up a website and is asking community members to report storm damage to their property to help them develop emergency response plans. They are asking people to only report damage to their property to reduce duplicate reports.
