Hail and Damaging Winds in Michigan, July 2, 1997

A Scottdale area farmer reported 2 1/4" diameter hail fell for about 20 minutes during a severe thunderstorm on the morning of July 2, 1997. He estimated most of his 80 acres of fruit crops were damaged.

A Berrien Springs area farmer estimated agricultural losses of near $1 million from hail during a severe thunderstorm during the early morning hours of July 2, 1997. Paul Bixby reported 200 acres of fruits and 100 acres of vegetables destroyed from 1 inch diameter hail. The hail cut, scarred or took chunks out of apples and peaches and knocked a lot of the fruit off the trees. Sweet corn stalks were reportedly shredded. A U.S. Natural Resources Conservation Service resource conservationist for Berrien County reported that an inspection on July 2nd revealed the hail storm started in the vicinity of Lakeshore High School, near Stevensville, and extended southeast to the county line. He estimated a 2 mile wide swath along this path was affected by the hail. Other area fruit growers reported severe damage to crops which included apples, peaches, grapes, plums, tart cherries, and raspberries.

Numerous 2 to 3 foot diameter trees were uprooted and several large trees were downed, damaging several Berrien Springs area homes, from straight-line winds in a severe thunderstorm. Wind gusts during the thunderstorm were estimated at 70 mph. A maple tree fell on a home at 10594 Old U.S. 31 at approximately 7:20 AM EDT. Another large tree came down on a house on Harrison Street, damaging the front and a ramp for the handicapped on the south side of the residence. A home on Rose Hill Street was damaged as 2 large trees destroyed a front porch, damaged the roof, and crushed 3 cars parked in the driveway. Other homes were damaged in the Bridlewood subdivision just south of Berrien Springs off Long Lake Road. A large tree fell through the roof of one home in this neighborhood, shattering a sun roof and sending a shower of glass through the cathedral ceiling onto the living-dining area of the two-level house. Numerous television antennas across the area were destroyed. One of the trees downed was a 300-year-old white oak along West Ferry Street, which was believed to be the oldest tree in the Berrien Springs area. It fell on a narrow lot, barely missing 2 homes. Trees blocked several area roads for hours and local flooding was reported. No injuries were reported.

Numerous trees and power lines were downed across the Eau Claire area. Several homes received minor damage from falling trees and limbs.

Numerous trees were downed in the Niles area during the severe thunderstorm which produced estimated 70 mph winds across much of southeastern Berrien County. Falling trees downed power, phone, and cable lines. Minor damage was reported at several residences, including reports of patio furniture being swept away and a trampoline destroyed. Nearly 2 3/4 inches of rain fell in one hour at a Niles residence, with minor street flooding reported in the storm's aftermath.

Trees and power lines reported downed in Pokagon Township, in western Cass County.

Trees and power lines reported downed on the south side of Dowagiac. Lightning also damaged several power transformers.

More than six dozen large trees were uprooted with hundreds of other trees either split or missing large limbs after a severe thunderstorm with estimated 70 mph winds blew through the Edwardsburg area around 7:50 AM EDT Wednesday, July 2, 1997. Downed trees and utility poles limited travel by blocking at least 6 area roads and road crews worked through the day to clear debris. Almost all of the village's 1,200 residents were without power for most of the day. The hardest hit area of Pleasant Lake reported 16 large trees uprooted. On the south side of the lake along Washington Street, one home was destroyed. Trees were downed onto several houses. The Ontwa Township/Edwardsburg Police Department received reports of at least one boat having been thrown into trees by damaging winds. No injuries were reported.

Gratiot County Central Dispatch reported a window was blown out of a resident's home located along Garfield Road just north of Middleton.

Trees were downed in Sumner Township.

Trees were downed in De Witt.

Six inch diameter trees were downed in East Lansing.

Michigan State Police reported 3/4 inch diameter hail at the intersection of State Road and U.S. Highway 27.

The Meridian Township Public Safety Department relayed a civilian report of a funnel cloud near the intersection of Hagadorn and Haslett Roads. Thirty seconds after the civilian report was received, a Meridian Township officer spotted a funnel cloud travelling southeast over Okemos Road and Gaylord C. Smith Drive. The funnel cloud did not touch the ground and no damage was reported.

Trees and power lines were downed in a few locations across the city of Battle Creek. Power was knocked out for 2,600 Consumers Energy customers in the city. Lightweight patio furniture was blown around on the grounds of the Team U.S. National Hot-Air Balloon Championship and Air Show at Kellogg Regional Airport during 40 mph wind gusts.

A wet microburst occurred between 4:13 and 4:18 PM EDT during a severe thunderstorm moving across East Lansing. A team of 3 scientists from Michigan State University concluded the most severe storm damage occurred between the East Lansing Library and Hagadorn Road, while the damage path extended from roughly Harrison Road and Saginaw Street in an east-southeast direction to Park Lake Road and Grand River Avenue. The MSU geology professors determined damage patterns east of Hagadorn Road suggested that another pulse of air may have come down near Hagadorn and Cahill Drive. Damage consisted of downed trees and damaged roofs. Four homes received noticeable damage, mostly by being hit by trees. Three cars were crushed by falling trees. In addition, one utility pole was snapped and power lines were downed by falling trees, cutting power to 2,000 customers of Consumers Energy. Almost all trees fell to the east. Fallen trees blocked off many East Lansing streets after the storm. No injuries were reported.

Ingham County Central Dispatch reported a barn in the 3900-block of Morrice Road was flattened by straight-line winds at approximately 4:15 PM EDT. Trees and power lines were downed across Locke Township between Webberville and Bell Oak.

A National Weather Service-trained contract observer at Capitol City Airport, just northwest of downtown Lansing, sighted a funnel cloud at 4:20 PM EDT. The funnel cloud did not touch the ground and no damage was reported.

Trees were downed in Eaton Rapids.