Hail and Damaging Winds in Michigan, September 19, 1997

The National Weather Service Office in Grand Rapids received several reports of hail to 1 1/2" in diameter in and around the city of Wyoming. Reports came from the intersections of 36th Street and Burlingame Avenue SW, 44th Street and Clyde Park Avenue SW, and along the Grandville/Wyoming city limits border.

Clare County Central Dispatch reported trees and power lines downed in and around the city of Clare at 2:00 PM EDT.

Clare County Central Dispatch reported trees were downed in Farwell at 2:20 PM EDT.

South Haven Community Hospital received a direct lightning strike on the northwest corner of the building. The radio tower for the HERN radio, which is the communications link with area ambulances, sustained the strike, which then grounded through the building directly through the telephone communications center on the basement level. The entire telephone system was disabled beyond repair.

Ottawa County Central Dispatch reported trees and power lines downed in the city of Holland around 14th Street. Consumers Energy reported 3,200 customers lost power across southern Ottawa County during the storm. In northern Ottawa County, a lightning strike at a communications tower in Grand Haven stopped emergency radio communications across the entire county. Ottawa County Central Dispatch was forced to use backup towers at emergency operations centers in Allendale and Holland.

Local media reported trees and power lines downed in the city of Allegan.

A trained National Weather Service spotter reported 4-6 inch diameter tree limbs were knocked down by thunderstorm winds.

Local media reported large tree limbs were downed in Wayland Township.

Michigan State Police closed U.S. Highway 131 briefly near Martin in Martin Township to allow Consumers Energy crews restore electrical lines downed by fallen trees.

Barry Central Dispatch reported trees and power lines were downed in Orangeville Township.

Barry Central Dispatch and a trained weather spotter in Hastings reported trees were downed in and around Hastings at approximately 4:30 PM EDT.

Barry Central Dispatch reported trees and power lines downed in Delton.

A young boy was treated and released from Pennock Community Hospital in Hastings after lightning struck next to him. He received minor injuries.

The Kalamazoo County Sheriff's Department reported trees and power lines downed in and around Richland in Ross Township.

The Kalamazoo County Sheriff's Department reported trees and power lines downed in and around Augusta in Ross Township.

Eaton County Central Dispatch reported trees were downed in Bellevue Township.

Calhoun County officials relayed numerous reports of trees having been downed by thunderstorm wind gusts. One large tree limb fell onto a vehicle parked below.

Eaton County Central Dispatch reported trees were downed in and around Olivet.

Climax Township Firefighters were called to 6680 S. 38th Street in Climax at 4:55 PM EDT for a house fire which started when lightning struck the home. Lightning struck a window frame near a bedroom and sparked a fire which did $ 20, 000 in damages.

Eaton County Central Dispatch reported trees were downed in Brookfield Township.

Jackson County Central Dispatch reported trees and power lines were downed in Parma Township.

Ingham County Central Dispatch reported numerous trees and power lines were downed in Leslie Township.

Ingham County Central Dispatch reported numerous trees and power lines were downed across Stockbridge Township. Local law enforcement in Stockbridge estimated wind gusts reached 75 mph during the severe thunderstorm. Some area roads were blocked for a brief time by downed limbs. Consumers Power reported 600 customers lost power in the area because of the storm damage.

Jackson County Central Dispatch reported trees, power lines, and traffic lights were downed in and around the city of Jackson. A large tree limb fell across a van parked at the corner of N. Wisner and Norfolk Streets in Jackson. A Consumers Energy spokesman reported 5,000 customers lost power across Jackson County because of the severe thunderstorms. Water was also knocked out briefly at the Jackson Water Department, which resulted in customers not having water or having reduced water pressure until backup systems kicked in.

Jackson County Central Dispatch reported trees and power lines were downed in Leoni Township.

The Jackson County Sheriff's Department reported trees and power lines were downed in Munith. One tree fell on the roof of a home and another across a vehicle in the area.

Jackson County Central Dispatch reported trees and power lines were downed across Grass Lake Township.

A barn under construction on Cement City Highway near Hayes Road was severely damaged.

A large tree was downed onto a home on Polk Street in Coldwater.