Severe storms ripped through many states Wednesday evening and overnight, killing at least one person in Michigan. Here’s an in-depth look at how the storms impacted the hardest-hit states.
Michigan: Tragic Loss in Livonia
A tornado ripped across the city of Livonia, Michigan, with no warning. The tornado, certified as an EF1 with wind speeds of up to 95 mph, toppled trees over a 5.5-mile path. The tornado struck so quickly that there was no warning time to activate the sirens in the Detroit suburb.
A large tree uprooted and crashed through a home, killing a 2-year-old boy and critically injuring his mother. Despite the committed response by rescuers, after over an hour of work to clear the roof and collapsed tree, the toddler could not be saved. A 2-week-old sibling was in a crib in another room and was not injured.
Maryland: Tornado Causes Structural Collapse
Emergency officials in Maryland reacted to reports of fallen structures and individuals trapped inside buildings after a tornado struck Gaithersburg in Montgomery County. The meteorological agency warned the public about the tornado and urged them to seek urgent cover.
Among the major damage was a tree collapse, which injured five people and left at least one with “traumatic” injuries, according to a fire and rescue official. All injured people were sent to local hospitals for treatment.
Montgomery County Fire and Rescue Assistant Chief David Pazos said power outages were widespread, and rescue crews were going door-to-door to assess the need for additional rescue services or relocation.
The National Weather Service office in Sterling, Virginia, reported “approximately nine areas of damage likely caused by tornadoes,” although the number of tornadoes is unknown and damage inspections are ongoing.
A late-night tornado in Ohio caused damage.
A local emergency manager in Muskingum County, east of Columbus, reported that structures and infrastructure in Frazeysburg had been damaged. There were no early reports of fatalities or severe injuries.
The National Weather Service office in Pittsburgh is due to evaluate the damage later today.
