National Weather Service officials confirmed Sunday that an EF1 tornado touched down in the Van Buren Township and Belleville area during Saturday’s severe storms, while damage farther south in Monroe County was caused by straight-line winds.
Preliminary storm surveys conducted by the weather service found that the tornado developed as strong thunderstorms moved through southeast Michigan, producing localized but significant damage in parts of Wayne County. The EF1 rating indicates wind speeds between 86 and 110 mph, capable of causing moderate damage, including downed trees, roof damage and impacts to vehicles and structures.
Damage reported in the Whiteford Township and Lambertville areas was determined to be caused by straight-line winds rather than tornadic activity. Those winds can still be powerful, often exceeding 60 mph, and are capable of snapping trees, damaging roofs and knocking out power.
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The storms prompted multiple tornado warnings across the region Saturday evening, as radar indicated rotation in several cells moving northeast at a rapid pace. Communities including Dearborn, Taylor, Monroe and parts of Macomb and Oakland counties were placed under warnings as the storms tracked through the area.
The weather service said Sunday that additional details from its storm surveys — including the tornado’s exact path length, width and peak wind speeds — will be released once assessments are complete.
This article originally appeared on The Detroit News: Michigan’s Van Buren Township hit by EF1 tornado
