Hail and Damaging Winds in Michigan, July 17, 2006

Name: Hail and Damaging Winds in Michigan, July 17, 2006
Start: 2006-07-17T17:30
End: 2006-07-17T23:01
Location: Michigan

July 17, 2006 · NWS DTX · 42 events in 17 counties and zones

Where it happened

Every event with a place to put it; 4 filed by county or forecast zone are drawn at its center, in a lighter ring. Tap one for its entry below.

Tornadoes
Tropical storms and surge
Floods
Wind
Hail
Winter weather
Heat and drought
Cold
Fire, smoke and dust
Marine and coastal
Other

Open the live radar over this ground

The toll

Deaths: 1
Injuries: 1
Property damage: $579,000
Crop damage: None recorded
Events: 42

Deaths and injuries are direct and indirect together, as the offices filed them. Damage is property and crops in the dollars of the year, not adjusted for inflation, and only where an office estimated it.

What happened

The episode as NWS DTX wrote it up.

The July 17th severe weather event would eventually go down as the largest and most destructive of the 2006 severe weather season. Intense thunderstorms fired along and ahead of a cold front working down from the northern Great Lakes and eventually developed into a large MCS by mid evening. The Tri Cities and thumb regions were especially hard hit during this event. Several microbursts actually produced 100 MPH wind gusts across northeast Huron county, causing quite a bit of damage. The outflow created from the storms across the north actually held together long enough to spread south. There were several reports of trees blown down in areas south of M-59, although the damage was minimal when compared to the destruction across the northern parts of the area. Very few reports of hail were received, however, golf ball size hail was reported in Saginaw County. This event caused one death and one injury in Wayne County. A couple was struck by lightning after seeking refuge under a tree.

What forecasters said that day

The local office's own words before the first event, as it sent them, from the Iowa Environmental Mesonet's archive of National Weather Service text.

NWS Detroit, MI wrote its last area forecast discussion before the first event at Jul 17, 2:25 PM EST, 3 hours 5 minutes earlier.

Area forecast discussion, Jul 17, 2:25 PM EST, 3 hours 5 minutes before

AREA FORECAST DISCUSSION
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE DETROIT/PONTIAC MI
325 PM EDT MON JUL 17 2006

.SHORT TERM...TONIGHT AND TUESDAY

MAIN CONCERN FOR TONIGHT ARE THUNDERSTORMS AND THE POTENTIAL FOR
SEVERE WEATHER.  WE REMAIN RATHER STABLE AS MIXED LAYER CINH REMAINS
NEAR 200 J/KG BUT THAT IS NOT THE CASE UPSTREAM.  ACROSS SOUTHERN
WISCONSIN MLCAPES ARE IN EXCESS OF 5500 J/KG WITH EFFECTIVE SHEAR
INCREASING TOWARD 40KTS.  SPC HAS ISSUED SVR WATCH 606 WITH NEAR
EXPLOSIVE DEVELOPMENT SOUTH OF GRB WITH STORM TOPS NEAR 65K FEET
JUST HOW MUCH OF THIS ACTIVITY WILL HOLD IN PLACE WHEN IT APPROACHES
SOUTHEAST LOWER REMAINS TO BE SEEN.  SURFACE CONVERGENCE ALONG THE
FRONT REMAINS SUFFICIENT AND WE WILL CARRY LIKELY POPS FOR THE TRI
CITIES/THUMB DOWN TO M59 CORRIDOR THROUGH THE EVENING HOURS.
FRONTAL PLACEMENT SHOULD NEAR M59/8-MILE ROAD AROUND MIDNIGHT YET
ATMOSPHERE SHOULD STABILIZE SOMEWHAT WITH THE LOSS OF SURFACE
HEATING AND RELAXING 850MB FLOW AS IT BACKS FURTHER WEST.

THEN WE WILL NEED TO MONITOR FOR TRAINING ECHOES ACROSS THE I69
CORRIDOR WITH PWATS CLIMBING NEAR 2 AS MID LEVEL FLOW BECOMES A BIT
MORE PARALLEL TO THE SURFACE THIS EVENING.  FFG VALUES ARE QUITE
HIGH ACROSS THIS REGION WITH 3-4 NEEDED IN 1-3 HOURS AND NEARLY
4.5 IN 6 HOURS.

FRONT WILL BE SLOW TO MOVE SOUTH TUESDAY MORNING...WITH
AFOREMENTIONED PARALLEL FLOW REGIME...LINGERING CHANCE FOR
ADDITIONAL CONVECTION ACROSS THE SOUTHERN COUNTIES BUT THAT SHOULD
BE A NARROW WINDOW.  HIGH PRESSURE AND A REFRESHING NORTH-NORTHEAST
FLOW WILL DEVELOP TO NOT ONLY DROP BACK DEWPOINTS BUT WITH LOWER
850MB TEMPS...MORE MANAGEABLE MAX TEMPS WITH MIDDLE 80S INLAND.
TEMPS WILL BE COOLER NEAR LAKE HURON WITH NORTHEAST FLOW AND THIS
SHOULD KEEP THOSE VALUES INTO THE MID-UPPER 70S UNDER A MOSUNNY SKY.

&&

.LONG TERM...TUESDAY NIGHT THROUGH MONDAY

AFTER THE BRIEF HEAT WAVE...THE UPPER LEVEL FLOW IS FORECAST TO MAKE
A TRANSITION BACK TO THE PREFERRED PATTERN OF THE SUMMER AS UPPER
TROUGHING RE-DEVELOPS OVER THE GREAT LAKES/NORTHEAST CONUS. ONE BY
ONE...MODELS HAVE COME IN LINE ON THIS IDEA DURING THE PAST FEW DAYS
AND CONFIDENCE IS RATHER HIGH THAT THIS WILL OCCUR GIVEN THIS SOLID
TREND.

OVERALL...THIS WILL MEAN COOLER TEMPERATURES ACROSS THE LAKES. THIS
WILL BE ESPECIALLY TRUE BY LATE THIS WEEK INTO THE WEEKEND AS HIGH
PRESSURE SHIFTS SOUTHEAST FROM CENTRAL CANADA ON THROUGH THE GREAT
LAKES.

TO START THE FORECAST...WEDNESDAY AND THURSDAY WILL BE RATHER WARM
STILL...ESPECIALLY FROM INTERSTATE 69 SOUTH AS THE COLD FRONT THAT
MOVES SOUTH OF THE AREA ON TUESDAY SHIFTS BACK NORTH AS A WARM FRONT
IN RESPONSE TO THE NEXT SHORTWAVE...WHICH IS CURRENTLY OVER BRITISH
COLUMBIA. THIS FEATURE HAS MAINTAINED A PRETTY NICE REPRESENTATION
ON SATELLITE. ADDITIONAL ENERGY WILL ALSO BE DROPPING SOUTHEAST
THROUGH CENTRAL CANADA AROUND THE WEST SIDE OF THE DEVELOPING UPPER
LOW OVER EASTERN CANADA. GIVEN THIS...EXPECT THIS SYSTEM TO BE A
RATHER VIGOROUS ONE...SO EXPECT A GOOD CHANCE OF THUNDERSTORMS AS IT
CROSSES THE CENTRAL LAKES IN THE THURSDAY TIMEFRAME.

IN BEHIND THIS FEATURE...TEMPERATURES COOL AND HUMIDITY LEVELS DROP
OFF AS THE AFOREMENTIONED CANADIAN HIGH PRESSURE BUILDS INTO THE
REGION...WITH HIGHS IN THE UPPER 70S/LOWER 80S BY FRIDAY/SATURDAY.
MEANWHILE...LOW TEMPERATURES WILL BE IN THE UPPER 50S/LOWER 60S.

SEE NOTHING IN THE MODELS COMPELLING ENOUGH TO REMOVE THE CHANCE FOR
SHOWERS/THUNDERSTORMS LATE THIS WEEKEND. MODELS ACTUALLY SHOW DECENT
AGREEMENT ON BRINGING ANOTHER SHORTWAVE INTO THE AREA IN NORTHWEST
FLOW PATTERN. WILL NOT CHANGE A THING AT THIS POINT.

&&

.AVIATION...ISSUED 120 PM

TIMING OF CONVECTION IS THE REAL CONCERN FOR THIS 18Z TAF ISSUANCE.
LATEST NUMERICAL SUITE AND EXTRAPOLATION FROM FRONTAL MOVEMENT
UPSTREAM PLACES NARROW BUT POTENTIALLY INTENSE CONVECTION TOWARD THE
TRI CITIES BETWEEN 22Z-00Z THEN ONTO DTW BY 03Z.  WE WILL PLACE
TEMPO GROUPS AT THIS TIME UNTIL WE SEE WHERE CONVECTION EVENTUALLY
DEVELOPS.  THEREAFTER...FRONTAL SYSTEM SLIDES SOUTH OF THE MICHIGAN
STATE LINE BY SUNRISE TAKING ANY CONVECTION SOUTH.  OUTSIDE OF
CONVECTION...VFR CONDITIONS WITH MARGINAL MVFR CEILINGS AS WINDS
VEER TO NORTH-NORTHEAST TUESDAY MORNING.

&&

.DTX WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES...
MI...NONE.
LAKE HURON...NONE.
LAKE ST CLAIR...NONE.
MI WATERS OF LAKE ERIE...NONE.
&&

SHORT TERM...BGM
LONG TERM....DG
AVIATION.....BGM

YOU CAN OBTAIN YOUR LATEST NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE FORECASTS ONLINE
AT WWW.WEATHER.GOV/DETROIT (ALL LOWER CASE).

Hazardous weather outlook, Jul 17, 10:55 AM EST, 6 hours 35 minutes before

HAZARDOUS WEATHER OUTLOOK
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE DETROIT/PONTIAC MI
1155 AM EDT MON JUL 17 2006

MIZ047>049-180830-
MIDLAND-BAY-HURON-
1155 AM EDT MON JUL 17 2006

THIS HAZARDOUS WEATHER OUTLOOK IS FOR PORTIONS OF SOUTHEAST
MICHIGAN.

.DAY ONE...THIS AFTERNOON AND TONIGHT

THERE IS A SLIGHT RISK OF SEVERE THUNDERSTORMS LATE THIS AFTERNOON
AND EVENING. SCATTERED THUNDERSTORMS WILL DEVELOP BETWEEN 3PM AND
5PM AND THESE WILL INCREASE IN COVERAGE AND INTENSITY DURING THE
EVENING HOURS. SOME OF THESE STORMS COULD BE CAPABLE OF PRODUCING
HAIL TO 1 INCH DIAMETER AND WIND GUSTS TO 60 MPH AS THEY TRACK EAST
SOUTHEAST AROUND 20 MPH.  THUNDERSTORMS WILL PASS TO THE SOUTH
BETWEEN 9PM AND MIDNIGHT.

HOT AND HUMID CONDITIONS WILL CONTINUE AGAIN THIS AFTERNOON WITH
TEMPERATURES REACHING THE MID 90S AND HEAT INDICES APPROACHING 100.

.DAYS TWO THROUGH SEVEN...TUESDAY THROUGH SUNDAY

SCATTERED THUNDERSTORMS ARE POSSIBLE AGAIN WEDNESDAY EVENING
THROUGH THURSDAY NIGHT.... AND AGAIN ON SUNDAY.

.SPOTTER INFORMATION STATEMENT...

DISPATCHERS...PLEASE NOTIFY YOUR EMERGENCY MANAGERS IMMEDIATELY.
SPOTTER ACTIVATION MAY BE NEEDED LATE THIS AFTERNOON AND EVENING.

MIZ053>055-060>063-068>070-075-076-082-083-180830-
SAGINAW-TUSCOLA-SANILAC-SHIAWASSEE-GENESEE-LAPEER-ST. CLAIR-
LIVINGSTON-OAKLAND-MACOMB-WASHTENAW-WAYNE-LENAWEE-MONROE-
1155 AM EDT MON JUL 17 2006

THIS HAZARDOUS WEATHER OUTLOOK IS FOR PORTIONS OF SOUTHEAST
MICHIGAN.

.DAY ONE...THIS AFTERNOON AND TONIGHT

THERE IS A SLIGHT RISK OF SEVERE THUNDERSTORMS LATE THIS AFTERNOON
AND EVENING. SCATTERED THUNDERSTORMS WILL DEVELOP AFTER 5PM AND
THESE WILL INCREASE IN COVERAGE AND INTENSITY DURING THE EVENING
HOURS. SOME OF THESE STORMS COULD BE CAPABLE OF PRODUCING HAIL TO 1
INCH DIAMETER AND WIND GUSTS TO 60 MPH AS THEY TRACK EAST SOUTHEAST
AROUND 20 MPH.  THUNDERSTORMS WILL PASS TO THE SOUTH AND DIMINISH
TOWARD MIDNIGHT.

HOT AND HUMID CONDITIONS WILL CONTINUE THIS AFTERNOON WITH HIGH
TEMPERATURE READINGS IN THE MID 90S AND HEAT INDEX VALUES
APPROACHING 100 DEGREES.

.DAYS TWO THROUGH SEVEN...TUESDAY THROUGH SUNDAY

SCATTERED THUNDERSTORMS ARE POSSIBLE AGAIN WEDNESDAY EVENING
THROUGH THURSDAY NIGHT... AND AGAIN ON SUNDAY.

.SPOTTER INFORMATION STATEMENT...

DISPATCHERS...PLEASE NOTIFY YOUR EMERGENCY MANAGERS IMMEDIATELY.
SPOTTER ACTIVATION MAY BE NEEDED LATE THIS AFTERNOON AND EVENING.

LCZ422-423-460-LEZ444-LHZ421-422-441>443-462>464-180830-
ST. CLAIR RIVER-DETROIT RIVER-LAKE ST. CLAIR-
MICHIGAN WATERS OF LAKE ERIE-OUTER SAGINAW BAY-INNER SAGINAW BAY-
PORT AUSTIN TO HARBOR BEACH MI-HARBOR BEACH TO PORT SANILAC MI-
PORT SANILAC TO PORT HURON MI-
LAKE HURON OFFSHORE BEYOND 5 NM FROM PORT AUSTIN TO HARBOR BEACH MI-
LAKE HURON OFFSHORE BEYOND 5 NM FROM HARBOR BEACH TO PORT SANILAC MI-
LAKE HURON OFFSHORE BEYOND 5 NM FROM PORT SANILAC TO PORT HURON MI-
1155 AM EDT MON JUL 17 2006

THIS HAZARDOUS WEATHER OUTLOOK IS FOR LAKE ST CLAIR...THE MICHIGAN
WATERS OF LAKE ERIE AND LAKE HURON.

.DAY ONE...THIS AFTERNOON AND TONIGHT

THERE IS A CHANCE OF THUNDERSTORMS LATE THIS AFTERNOON... WITH
STORMS BECOMING MORE WIDESPREAD IN COVERAGE TONIGHT. SOME OF THESE
COULD PRODUCE STRONG WINDS AND HIGH WAVES AS THEY AFFECT THE
AREA.

.DAYS TWO THROUGH SEVEN...TUESDAY THROUGH SUNDAY

SCATTERED THUNDERSTORMS ARE AGAIN POSSIBLE WEDNESDAY EVENING
THROUGH THURSDAY NIGHT... AND AGAIN ON SUNDAY. SMALL CRAFT
CONDITIONS COULD ALSO DEVELOP IN STRENGTHENING NORTH WINDS ON FRIDAY
WITH WAVES POTENTIALLY APPROACHING 6 FEET IN SOUTHERN LAKE HURON

.SPOTTER INFORMATION STATEMENT...

SPOTTER ACTIVATION MAY BE NEEDED LATE THIS AFTERNOON AND TONIGHT.

YOU CAN OBTAIN YOUR LATEST NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE FORECASTS ONLINE
AT WWW.WEATHER.GOV/DETROIT (ALL LOWER CASE).

The radar

The Detroit radar (KDTX), 118 km away, was scanning. The volume nearest the first event began at 22:30 UTC.

Open the radar archive at this moment

Event by event

37 thunderstorm wind, 4 lightning, 1 hail. Local standard time, as filed.

Thunderstorm Wind, Midland

When: July 17, 5:30 PM EST
Where: Midland County, Midland
Measured: 55 kt (63 mph) estimated gust
Property damage: $50,000
Reported by: TRAINED SPOTTER
Coordinates: 43.700, -83.000

A trained spotter reported trees blown down in Midland. A local newspaper article also included a picture of a very large 80 foot honey locust tree lying on top of a home. The tree punched through the back sunroom of the home. A neighbor also lost a 50 foot cherry tree due to the thunderstorm winds. Several other large trees were reported blown down across the city of Midland. Midland County was hit particularly hard. Thousands of customers lost power, with most going without power for 3 to 4 days due to the extent of the tree damage across the region. The road commission responded to 24 calls of trees down across roadways. Midland firefighters responded to 50 storm related calls, most involving downed trees and power lines. The most damage in the city occurred from Nelson Street to the downtown area, and in the area of Nakoma Drive and Jefferson Avenue. At least one vehicle was damaged due to fallen debris. Property damage in the area was roughly estimated at around $50K.

Thunderstorm Wind, Saginaw

When: July 17, 5:40 PM EST
Where: Saginaw County, 7 mi S of Freeland
Measured: 58 kt (67 mph) estimated gust
Property damage: $60,000
Reported by: NEWSPAPER
Coordinates: 43.417, -84.000

A local newspaper reported numerous accounts of trees blown down across Thomas, James, and Saginaw Townships. Several homes were damaged along the Geddes and Thomas road areas. One home sustained significant damage and a destroyed garage. Another Thomas Township home's garage wall bowed out. A fallen tree also destroyed a parked vehicle in James Township. No injuries were reported. Total property damage was roughly estimated at $60K.

Thunderstorm Wind, Saginaw

When: July 17, 5:40 PM EST
Where: Saginaw County, St Charles
Measured: 55 kt (63 mph) estimated gust
Reported by: NEWSPAPER
Coordinates: 43.400, -84.333

A local newspaper article included a picture of a power line and a large maple tree blown down and blocking Hosmer Street near Coal Street in St. Charles.

Thunderstorm Wind, Saginaw

When: July 17, 5:42 PM EST
Where: Saginaw County, Saginaw Arpt
Measured: 57 kt (66 mph) measured gust
Reported by: AWOS,ASOS,MESONET,ETC
Coordinates: 43.933, -83.267

Lightning, Saginaw

When: July 17, 5:45 PM EST
Where: Saginaw County, Saginaw
Property damage: $106,000
Reported by: NEWSPAPER
Coordinates: 42.833, -82.483

Delayed entry. Two and half months after the incident, a newspaper article reported that lightning had caused severe damage to a Church bell tower. Lightning hit the brick spire of a Church's 76 year old bell tower, sending 300 to 400 pounds of broken rocks flying throughout the surrounding neighborhood. It will cost the Church $106K to repair the tower.

Thunderstorm Wind, Saginaw

When: July 17, 5:45 PM EST
Where: Saginaw County, 2 mi W of Saginaw
Measured: 52 kt (60 mph) estimated gust
Reported by: TRAINED SPOTTER
Coordinates: 43.335, -84.053 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

A trained spotter reported several 6 inch diameter limbs down.

Thunderstorm Wind, Saginaw

When: July 17, 5:50 PM EST
Where: Saginaw County, Merrill
Measured: 55 kt (63 mph) estimated gust
Reported by: TRAINED SPOTTER
Coordinates: 42.333, -83.867

A trained spotter reported several large trees and power lines blown down.

Thunderstorm Wind, Bay

When: July 17, 6:00 PM EST
Where: Bay County, Bay City
Measured: 55 kt (63 mph) estimated gust
Reported by: LAW ENFORCEMENT
Coordinates: 43.117, -83.683

Central dispatch reported trees blown down in Bay City.

Lightning, Midland

When: July 17, 6:00 PM EST
Where: Midland County, Midland
Property damage: $5,000
Reported by: NEWSPAPER
Coordinates: 43.233, -83.917

Lightning struck a home, sparking a fire. Property damage was roughly estimated at $5K.

Thunderstorm Wind, Saginaw

When: July 17, 6:05 PM EST
Where: Saginaw County, Burt
Measured: 53 kt (61 mph) estimated gust
Reported by: TRAINED SPOTTER
Coordinates: 42.300, -83.750

A trained spotter reported an 8 inch diameter tree blown down.

Thunderstorm Wind, Tuscola

When: July 17, 6:15 PM EST
Where: Tuscola County, Fairgrove
Measured: 55 kt (63 mph) estimated gust
Reported by: LAW ENFORCEMENT
Coordinates: 43.300, -84.150

Central dispatch reported multiple trees blown down in Fairgrove.

Thunderstorm Wind, Tuscola

When: July 17, 6:15 PM EST
Where: Tuscola County, Vassar
Measured: 55 kt (63 mph) estimated gust
Reported by: LAW ENFORCEMENT
Coordinates: 42.283, -83.800

Central dispatch reported trees blown down in Vassar.

Thunderstorm Wind, Genesee

When: July 17, 6:18 PM EST
Where: Genesee County, Flushing
Measured: 56 kt (64 mph) estimated gust
Reported by: TRAINED SPOTTER
Coordinates: 43.417, -84.117

A trained spotter estimated thunderstorm wind gusts of 65 mph.

Thunderstorm Wind, Genesee

When: July 17, 6:20 PM EST
Where: Genesee County, Mt Morris
Measured: 55 kt (63 mph) estimated gust
Reported by: TRAINED SPOTTER
Coordinates: 43.022, -83.707 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

A trained spotter reported 15 inch diameter trees blown down along I-475 at Saginaw Rd.

Thunderstorm Wind, Lapeer

When: July 17, 6:30 PM EST
Where: Lapeer County, Otter Lake
Measured: 54 kt (62 mph) estimated gust
Reported by: TRAINED SPOTTER
Coordinates: 43.933, -82.717

A trained spotter reported a 12 inch diameter tree blown down.

Thunderstorm Wind, Huron

When: July 17, 6:30 PM EST
Where: Huron County, Port Austin
Measured: 57 kt (66 mph) estimated gust
Reported by: LAW ENFORCEMENT
Coordinates: 43.910, -82.855 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Central dispatch reported multiple trees blown down across M-25 in and around Port Austin.

Thunderstorm Wind, Huron

When: July 17, 6:45 PM EST
Where: Huron County, Caseville
Measured: 55 kt (63 mph) estimated gust
Property damage: $25,000
Reported by: TRAINED SPOTTER
Coordinates: 43.910, -82.855 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

A trained spotter reported numerous trees blown down. Docks were twisted and part of a decorative wall of bricks along the Pigeon River collapsed. Several homes were damaged. Total damages in this area were roughly estimated at around $25K. No injuries or deaths were reported.

Thunderstorm Wind, Huron

When: July 17, 6:45 PM EST
Where: Huron County, Bad Axe
Measured: 55 kt (63 mph) estimated gust
Reported by: TRAINED SPOTTER
Coordinates: 42.683, -83.133

A trained spotter reported trees blown down and estimated wind gusts of 65 mph.

Thunderstorm Wind, Huron

When: July 17, 6:50 PM EST
Where: Huron County, 7 mi S of Bad Axe
Measured: 58 kt (67 mph) estimated gust
Reported by: NEWSPAPER
Coordinates: 44.050, -83.000

A local newspaper article included pictures of large trees blown down. At least 10 large evergreen trees, over 30 feet tall, were snapped in half. Branches and pieces of tree trunks were thrown across a residents yard. The home, however, was not damaged. No injuries were sustained.

Thunderstorm Wind, Huron

When: July 17, 6:58 PM EST
Where: Huron County, Harbor Beach
Measured: 85 kt (98 mph) estimated gust
Property damage: $75,000
Reported by: TRAINED SPOTTER
Coordinates: 43.800, -83.000

Local newspaper articles reported that the storms left behind a trail of destruction through Harbor Beach, with numerous trees, some very large, ripped from their roots and power lines down through the entire area. The storms left the entire city without power. Many vehicles and structures, including homes, were damaged by fallen debris. Several boats were tossed about and washed ashore on Sand Point. An NWS survey confirmed that this area was struck by a microburst with winds up to 100 MPH. Remarkably, No injuries or deaths were reported. Total property damage in Harbor Beach was estimated at $75K.

Thunderstorm Wind, Sanilac

When: July 17, 7:00 PM EST
Where: Sanilac County, Lexington
Measured: 55 kt (63 mph) estimated gust
Reported by: LAW ENFORCEMENT
Coordinates: 43.217, -83.467

Central dispatch reported several trees and power lines blown down.

Thunderstorm Wind, Sanilac

When: July 17, 7:00 PM EST
Where: Sanilac County, Forestville
Measured: 55 kt (63 mph) estimated gust
Reported by: LAW ENFORCEMENT
Coordinates: 42.000, -83.933

Central dispatch reported multiple trees blown down in Forestville.

Thunderstorm Wind, Huron

When: July 17, 7:05 PM EST to 7:15 PM EST
Where: Huron County, Port Hope
Measured: 85 kt (98 mph) estimated gust
Reported by: NWS STORM SURVEY
Coordinates: 43.833, -82.650

An NWS survey confirmed trees blown down in a widespread area from Port Hope to Harbor Beach. The survey concluded that the damage was consistent with a microburst producing wind gusts estimated at 80 to 100 mph.

Thunderstorm Wind, Sanilac

When: July 17, 7:15 PM EST
Where: Sanilac County, 4 mi E of Sandusky
Measured: 55 kt (63 mph) estimated gust
Property damage: $15,000
Reported by: NEWSPAPER
Coordinates: 43.517, -83.550

A local newspaper article included a picture of a large tree blown down on top of a vehicle parked next to a home. A camper and pickup truck were also damaged by the fallen tree. Property damage is roughly estimated at $15K. No injuries were reported.

Lightning, Huron

When: July 17, 7:24 PM EST
Where: Huron County, Harbor Beach
Property damage: $200,000
Reported by: NEWSPAPER
Coordinates: 43.367, -83.583

A local newspaper article included a photograph of a home burned down. The fire was sparked by an electrical line blown down onto the home by thunderstorm winds. The couple was able to escape the home without injury. The value of the home itself was $150K, not including its contents. The couple lost all of their belongings in the fire. Total damages were roughly estimated at $200K.

Hail, Saginaw

When: July 17, 7:35 PM EST
Where: Saginaw County, Merrill
Measured: 1.75 in hail
Reported by: GENERAL PUBLIC
Coordinates: 43.267, -82.533

The public reported golf ball size hail in Merrill.

Thunderstorm Wind, Shiawassee

When: July 17, 9:15 PM EST
Where: Shiawassee County, Countywide
Measured: 55 kt (63 mph) estimated gust
Reported by: LAW ENFORCEMENT
Coordinates: 43.400, -84.333

Central dispatch reported trees blown down across the county.

Thunderstorm Wind, Genesee

When: July 17, 9:44 PM EST
Where: Genesee County, 3 mi S of Flint
Measured: 53 kt (61 mph) estimated gust
Reported by: FIRE DEPT/RESCUE SQUAD
Coordinates: 42.950, -84.133

Local firefighter reported a telephone pole blown down.

Thunderstorm Wind, Oakland

When: July 17, 9:45 PM EST
Where: Oakland County, Highland
Measured: 53 kt (61 mph) estimated gust
Reported by: LAW ENFORCEMENT
Coordinates: 42.983, -83.683

Central dispatch reported a tree blown down.

Thunderstorm Wind, Oakland

When: July 17, 9:50 PM EST
Where: Oakland County, White Lake
Measured: 53 kt (61 mph) estimated gust
Reported by: LAW ENFORCEMENT
Coordinates: 43.667, -82.617

Law enforcement reported a large tree limb down.

Thunderstorm Wind, Livingston

When: July 17, 9:50 PM EST
Where: Livingston County, Howell
Measured: 55 kt (63 mph) estimated gust
Property damage: $8,000
Reported by: NEWSPAPER
Coordinates: 43.600, -83.883

A local newspaper reported several trees blown down in Howell and included a picture of a work van pinned beneath the trunk of a large tree on Barnard Street. Total damage to the vehicle was roughly estimated at $8K.

Thunderstorm Wind, Oakland

When: July 17, 9:51 PM EST
Where: Oakland County, Rochester Hills
Measured: 53 kt (61 mph) estimated gust
Reported by: LAW ENFORCEMENT
Coordinates: 42.683, -83.550

Law enforcement reported a tree blown down.

Thunderstorm Wind, Macomb

When: July 17, 9:52 PM EST
Where: Macomb County, Disco
Measured: 53 kt (61 mph) estimated gust
Reported by: BROADCAST MEDIA
Coordinates: 42.633, -83.600

Broadcast media reported a tree blown down.

Thunderstorm Wind, Oakland

When: July 17, 10:01 PM EST
Where: Oakland County, Commerce
Measured: 53 kt (61 mph) estimated gust
Reported by: LAW ENFORCEMENT
Coordinates: 43.617, -84.233

Law enforcement reported a tree blown down.

Thunderstorm Wind, Washtenaw

When: July 17, 10:15 PM EST
Where: Washtenaw County, Dexter
Measured: 52 kt (60 mph) estimated gust
Reported by: NEWSPAPER
Coordinates: 42.583, -83.483

A local nespaper article reported that 3 trees that had blown down were removed from area roadways and seven others were attended to as well.

Thunderstorm Wind, Washtenaw

When: July 17, 10:25 PM EST
Where: Washtenaw County, 6 mi ESE of Dexter
Measured: 52 kt (60 mph) estimated gust
Property damage: $15,000
Reported by: NEWSPAPER
Coordinates: 42.600, -83.933

A local newspaper article reported a tree blown down across Newport Road near M-14 and another larger tree, about 3 feet in diameter, blown down on part of a house being renovated. No injuries were reported. Property damage was roughly estimated at $15K.

Thunderstorm Wind, Lenawee

When: July 17, 10:30 PM EST
Where: Lenawee County, Tecumseh
Measured: 53 kt (61 mph) estimated gust
Reported by: LAW ENFORCEMENT
Coordinates: 42.683, -83.033

Central dispatch reported several trees blown down.

Thunderstorm Wind, Washtenaw

When: July 17, 10:30 PM EST
Where: Washtenaw County, 5 mi SE of Dexter
Measured: 52 kt (60 mph) estimated gust
Property damage: $20,000
Reported by: NEWSPAPER
Coordinates: 41.917, -84.317

A local newspaper article reported that the top 20 feet of a tree was blown down, crashing through the roof and into the kitchen of a home on Dolph Drive near Jackson Road. The residents of the home narrowly escaped injury. Property damage was roughly estimated at $20K.

Thunderstorm Wind, St. Clair

When: July 17, 10:30 PM EST
Where: St. Clair County, St Clair
Measured: 52 kt (60 mph) estimated gust
Reported by: TRAINED SPOTTER
Coordinates: 42.083, -83.350

Trained spotter reported an 8 inch diameter tree limb down.

Thunderstorm Wind, Lenawee

When: July 17, 10:35 PM EST
Where: Lenawee County, Rollin
Measured: 53 kt (61 mph) estimated gust
Reported by: LAW ENFORCEMENT
Coordinates: 43.533, -84.083

Central dispatch reported several trees blown down.

Thunderstorm Wind, Monroe

When: July 17, 10:45 PM EST
Where: Monroe County, 3 mi NE of Carleton
Measured: 54 kt (62 mph) estimated gust
Reported by: TRAINED SPOTTER
Coordinates: 43.067, -83.833

Trained spotter reported 20 inch diameter trees blown down.

Lightning, Wayne

When: July 17, 11:01 PM EST
Where: Wayne County, 2 mi NE of Highland Park
Deaths: 1 direct, 0 indirect
Injuries: 1 direct, 0 indirect
Reported by: BROADCAST MEDIA
Coordinates: 43.417, -82.750

A couple was struck by lightning after taking shelter from the rain under a tree at 2301 EST in Krainz Park near East Hildale and Justine on Detroit's east side. The pair was taken to Detroit Receiving Hospital, where the 44 year old woman was later pronounced dead. The 2nd person, a 46 year old male, survived but was initially in temporary serious condition at the hospital.

The people who died

As the offices recorded each death: direct deaths were caused by the weather itself, indirect ones by something it set in motion.

Event	Date	Age	Sex	Where	Kind
Thunderstorm Wind, Genesee	2006-07-17	44	Female	Under Tree	Direct

What these are

Thunderstorm Wind: Winds from a thunderstorm of 50 knots (58 mph) or more, or lower winds that caused damage or casualties. Measured gusts are marked MG, estimated EG.
Lightning: A lightning strike that killed, injured or caused damage.
Hail: Hail three-quarters of an inch or larger, or smaller hail that caused damage, filed with the largest stone measured.

After NWS Directive 10-1605, the rules offices file Storm Data by.

The same day elsewhere

Every storm in Michigan in 2006 Every state in 2006 This day in weather history Warnings in Michigan, July 2006

Sources

NOAA National Centers for Environmental Information, Storm Events Database, compiled from the National Weather Service’s monthly Storm Data. Complete through 2026-06; NCEI adds each month about 75 days after it ends and revises past years a few times a year. Rebuilt 2026-09-24. Each event’s entry at NCEI: 5527567, 5526316, 5526317, 5524978, 5526337, 5527571, 5527572, 5522706, 5526318, 5527573, 5527569, 5527574, 5527568, 5527575, 5526299, 5527570, 5527576, 5527577, 5526315, 5526297, 5526300, 5526307, 5526298, 5526314, 5526319, 5526301, 5526302, 5526303, 5526304, 5526308, 5526311, 5526309, 5526305, 5526310, 5526320, 5526321, 5526306, 5526322, 5526361, 5526312, and more.