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Severe weather rolls through West Michigan

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WEST MICHIGAN — Severe weather moved through West Michigan today, causing damage across the region and leaving thousands without power.

Consumers Energy is saying 156,761 customers are affected by 1,876 outages, as of 3:51 p.m., when the storms had mostly cleared out of West Michigan. See Consumers' outage map for more information.

PHOTO GALLERY: See storm damage across West Michigan.

At 11 a.m., the National Weather Service issued a severe thunderstorm watch until 6 p.m. for counties across West Michigan. By 11:29 a.m., a severe thunderstorm warning was issued for Kent County, with counties throughout the region receiving the same warning into the early afternoon.

Severe thunderstorms were located all around West Michigan, and the National Weather Service warned of winds up to 80 mph and quarter-sized hail.

At 4 p.m., FOX 17 meteorologist Ty Shesky said the severe weather threat for today appeared to be over for West Michigan, as the threat traveled to the state's east side.

The FOX 17 team and the National Weather Service provided updates on the severe weather all day and into this evening — including photos and videos of the damage:

8:58 p.m.

6:52 p.m.

5:04 p.m.

4:32 p.m.

3:10 p.m.

2:20 p.m.

2:19 p.m.

2:06 p.m.

A severe thunderstorm warning remains in effect until 2:30 p.m. for Barry County.

At 2:04 , a severe thunderstorm was located 7 miles southwest of Hastings, moving northeast at 50 mph. Another severe thunderstorm near Battle Creek was moving northeast at 50 mph as well and moving towards Assyria.

The hazard is 60-mph wind gusts and quarter-sized hail.

People can expect hail damage to vehicles, as well as damage to roofs, siding and trees.

Residents should prepare immediately for large hail and damaging winds. People outside should move to a shelter, inside a strong building and away from windows. Continuous cloud to ground lightning is occurring with this storm. Move indoors immediately. If you can hear thunder, you are close enough to be struck by lightning. Torrential rainfall is occurring with this storm and may lead to flash flooding. Do not drive your vehicle through flooded roadways.

2:06 p.m.

A severe thunderstorm warning remains in effect until 2:30 p.m. for eastern St. Joseph and western Branch counties.

At 2:05 p.m., severe thunderstorms were located along a line extending from near Colon to 6 miles northeast of Lagrange to near South Whitley, moving northeast at 75 mph.

The hazard is 80-mph wind gusts and quarter-sized hail.

Flying debris will be dangerous to those caught without shelter. Mobile homes will be heavily damaged. Residents can expect considerable damage to roofs, windows and vehicles, and extensive tree damage and power outages are likely.

These are potentially deadly storms. Seek shelter in an interior room on the lowest floor of a well-built structure. Stay away from windows.

2:02 p.m.

A severe thunderstorm warning remains in effect until 2:30 p.m. for western Calhoun county.

At 2:01 p.m. , a severe thunderstorm was located near Battle Creek, moving northeast at 40 mph.

The hazard is 60-mph wind gusts and quarter-sized hail.

People can expect hail damage to vehicles, as well as damage to roofs, siding and trees.

Residents should prepare immediately for large hail and damaging winds. People outside should move to a shelter, inside a strong building and away from windows. Continuous cloud to ground lightning is occurring with this storm. Move indoors immediately. If you can hear thunder, you are close enough to be struck by lightning. Torrential rainfall is occurring with this storm and may lead to flash flooding. Do not drive your vehicle through flooded roadways.

1:47 p.m.

A severe thunderstorm warning is in effect until 2:30 p.m. for western Calhoun County.

At 1:46 p.m., a severe thunderstorm was located 6 miles southeast of Climax, or 12 miles south of Battle Creek, moving northeast at 50 mph.

The hazard is 60-mph wind gusts.

People can expect damage to roofs, siding and trees.

Move to an interior room on the lowest floor of a building.

1:34 p.m.

1:29 p.m.

A severe thunderstorm warning is in effect until 2:30 p.m. for Kalamazoo County.

At 1:29 p.m., severe thunderstorms were located east of Mattawan and near Three Rivers, moving northeast at 45 mph.

The hazard is 60-mph wind gusts.

People can expect damage to roofs, siding and trees.

Residents should move to an interior room on the lowest floor of a building.

1:11 p.m.

A severe thunderstorm warning remains in effect until 1:30 p.m. for eastern Ionia and western Clinton counties.

At 1:11 p.m., a severe thunderstorm was located near Portland, moving northeast at 35 mph.

The hazard is 60-mph wind gusts and quarter-sized hail.

People can expect hail damage to vehicles, as well as damage to roofs, siding and trees.

People should prepare immediately for large hail and damaging winds. People outside should move to a shelter, inside a strong building and away from windows. Continuous cloud to ground lightning is occurring with this storm. Move indoors immediately. If you can hear thunder, you are close enough to be struck by lightning. Torrential rainfall is occurring with this storm and may lead to flash flooding. Do not drive your vehicle through flooded roadways.

1:10 p.m.

A severe thunderstorm warning remains in effect until 1:45 p.m. for southeastern Cass, St. Joseph and northwestern Branch counties.

At 1:10 p.m., a severe thunderstorm was located over Constantine, or 8 miles south of Three Rivers, moving north at 50 mph.

The hazard is 70-mph wind gusts and quarter-sized hail.

People can expect damage to vehicles, considerable tree damage and wind damage likely to mobile homes, roofs and outbuildings.

Move to an interior room on the lowest floor of a building.

1:08 p.m.

A severe thunderstorm warning is in effect until 2 p.m. for eastern Cass and western St. Joseph counties.

At 1:08 p.m., a severe thunderstorm was located over Wakarusa, or near Dunlap, moving north at 65 mph.

The hazard is 70-mph wind gusts and quarter size hail.

People can expect damage to vehicles, considerable tree damage and wind damage likely to mobile homes, roofs and outbuildings.

Move to an interior room on the lowest floor of a building.

12:55 p.m.

12:52 p.m.

12:47 p.m.

12:30 p.m.

A severe thunderstorm warning remains in effect until 1:30 p.m. for eastern Allegan and Barry counties.

At 12:29 p.m., a severe thunderstorm was located 9 miles northwest of St. Johns, moving northeast at 50 mph.

The hazard is 60-mph wind gusts and penny-sized hail.

People can expect damage to roofs, siding and trees.

Move to an interior room on the lowest floor of a building.

12:21 p.m.

12:09 p.m.

A severe thunderstorm warning for is now in effect in Newaygo, eastern Muskegon, Mecosta and Montcalm county in central Michigan until 1:45 p.m.

At 12:09 p.m., severe thunderstorms were located along a line extending from near Fruitport to near Kentwood, moving northeast at 60 mph.

The hazard is 60-mph wind gusts.

People can expect damage to roofs, siding, and trees.
Move to an interior room on the lowest floor of a building.

11:57 a.m.

A severe thunderstorm warning remains in effect for Kent County until 1 p.m.

At 11:56 a.m., severe thunderstorms were located along a line extending from 6 miles east of Spring Lake to Jenison, to 7 miles northwest of Wayland, moving northeast at 60 mph.

The hazard is 70-mph wind gusts.

People can expect damage to roofs, siding and trees.

The National Weather Service is calling this a dangerous situation.

These storms are producing widespread wind damage across Ottawa County. Seek shelter now inside a sturdy structure and stay away from windows. Continuous cloud to ground lightning is occurring with these storms. Move indoors immediately. If you can hear thunder, you are close enough to be struck by lightning. Torrential rainfall is occurring with these storms, and may lead to flash flooding. Do not drive your vehicle through flooded roadways.

11:43 a.m.

A severe thunderstorm warning is in effect until 12:30 p.m. for eastern Allegan and Barry counties.

At 11:42 a.m., a severe thunderstorm was located 8 miles southwest of Hastings, moving northeast at 55 mph.

The hazard is 60-mph wind gusts.

People can expect damage to roofs, siding and trees.

Move to an interior room on the lowest floor of a building. Torrential rainfall is occurring with this storm and may lead to flash flooding. Do not drive your vehicle through flooded roadways.

11:40 a.m.

11:32 a.m.

A severe thunderstorm warning is effect until 12:45 p.m. for Allegan and northwestern Van Buren and Ottawa counties.

At 11:32 a.m., severe thunderstorms were located along a line extending from 6 miles west of Holland State Park, to near Saugatuck, to near Fennville, to 8 miles northeast of South Haven, moving northeast at 65 mph.

These are very dangerous storms.

The hazard is 85-mph wind gusts, according to radar.

The National Weather Service says those in these areas are in a life-threatening situation. Flying debris may be deadly to those caught without shelter. Mobile homes will be heavily damaged or destroyed. Homes and businesses will have substantial roof and window damage. Expect extensive tree damage and power outages.

Move to an interior room on the lowest floor of a building. Continuous cloud to ground lightning is occurring with these storms. Move indoors immediately. If you can hear thunder, you are close enough to be struck by lightning. Torrential rainfall is occurring with these storms and may lead to flash flooding. Do not drive your vehicle through flooded roadways.

11:29 a.m.

A severe thunderstorm warning is in effect for Kent County until 1 p.m.

At 11:28 a.m., a severe thunderstorm was located over Saugatuck, or 10 miles southwest of Holland, moving northeast at 60 mph.

The hazard is 60-mph wind gusts and penny-sized hail.

People can expect damage to roofs, siding and trees.

Move to an interior room on the lowest floor of a building. Be aware of large trees which could fall on buildings and vehicles. Frequent cloud to ground lightning is occurring with this storm. Move indoors immediately. If you can hear thunder, you are close enough to be struck by lightning.

11:03 a.m.

9:56 a.m.

9:48 a.m.

8:41 a.m.

6:42 a.m.

6:21 a.m.

2:13 a.m.

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