Strong winds down trees, knock out power across West Michigan

WEST MICHIGAN — Strong winds and severe weather downed trees and knocked out power to many neighborhoods across West Michigan on Monday evening.

Wind gusts exceeding 60 mph blew through the region, causing widespread tree and power line damage. As of 8:30 p.m. Monday, more than 70,000 Consumers Energy customers are without power. Some outages are concentrated in the West Olive area, as well as Kalamazoo and Calhoun counties.

Consumers Energy

Consumers Energy says it is mobilizing over 300 crews to begin restoring power.

For a current look at outages, click here.

The Kalamazoo Department of Public Safety responded to multiple scenes involving downed trees and power lines. The department says officers also responded to at least two locations where trees fell onto homes, temporarily trapping residents inside. One of those incidents occurred on Lay Boulevard.

FOX 17

FOX 17

In northern Kent County, a man died after being hit by a falling tree. It happened around 5 p.m. near 16 Mile Road and Crinnion Avenue in Courtland Township. According to the sheriff's office, the man was outside with friends when severe weather and strong winds moved through the area.

FOX 17

The storm damage also hit a Jenison neighborhood near Floral Avenue and Baldwin Street, where strong winds cut a tree in half.

Homeowner Ian Bacheller said the damage happened around 5 p.m. while his family was inside and heard a loud crash.

WATCH: Tree snaps in front of Jenison home

“So there's obviously scattered branches that did hit the house, hit the roof, hit the windows, hit the siding, hit the door, you know. Luckily, the storm door held up, so no glass," Bacheller said.

In Ottawa County, the winds blew over trees along M-45 in Grand Haven Township.

FOX 17

Viewers can send photos of storm or wind damage to news@fox17online.com.

Follow FOX 17: Facebook - X (formerly Twitter) - Instagram - YouTube