PORTAGE, Mich. — Portage Mayor Patricia Randall says 100 homes in the city are no longer habitable. More than a dozen of them are leveled in the wake of Tuesday's severe weather that produced multiple tornadoes along and south of I-94.
Despite the damage, no one died or was seriously hurt during the storm. More than a dozen people were injured.
At 4pm today we will be hearing from leaders at the @CityofPortageMI after the city was rocked by tornadoes last night. Most of the roads in Portage are impassible. Everyone has been asked to stay home today.
— Julie Dunmire (@juliedunmire) May 8, 2024
Mayor Randall says volunteer coordination efforts are underway to provide more avenues for people who want to help out those impacted by the storm.
FOX 17 spoke with Mayor Randall one-on-one to discuss the damage.
“It’s definitely a trial. People are all working together. We’re learning as we go. We’re trying to assess the damage and meet the needs of our citizens,” Patricia Randall said.
Mayor says today they had people hold off on volunteering, because of potential dangers including downed power lines. Instructions are coming for those who’d like to volunteer following this press conference.
— Julie Dunmire (@juliedunmire) May 8, 2024
Consumers Energy says 160 line crews were dispatched to the areas where the storms took out power lines. Another 70 crews tackled gas line ruptures.
In total Consumers Energy had more than 200 poles taken out by the storm. Roughly a third of people who lost power have had electric service restored.
Driving through Portage is nearly impossible, and it's not recommended.
“We are asking people to stay at home today. Children are off school. We have over 21,000 residents without power,” Randall said.
Tornado damage at Greenspire Apartments in Portage. pic.twitter.com/GmBkWgo2Ev
— Jim Sutton (@JimSuttonPhotog) May 8, 2024
“I think that we are very blessed that the time of day that out occurred. People had adequate response notice. Through portage alert, and through our neighborhood sirens,” Randall said.
Randall saying the focus of the day after the tornado hit is one of gratitude, for what could have happened, that didn't.
“We are extremely blessed that not a single person died during this terrible terrible storm,” Randall said.
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