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60 homes, businesses damaged by mid-Michigan tornadoes

At least 60 homes and businesses are damaged after two tornadoes swept through mid-Michigan Thursday night.

The National Weather Service posted this photo Thursday's tornado, courtesy of Jim Barrett
Credit National Weather Service/Jim Barrett
The National Weather Service posted this photo Thursday's tornado, courtesy of Jim Barrett

No injuries have been reported. The tornadoes touched down near Vernon in Shiawassee County around 7 p.m., according to the National Weather Service.

The storm left a tangle of downed power lines and debris. Many families are now surveying their flattened barns and roofless homes.

Shiawassee County Undersheriff Robert Brancheau says he feels like it was a miracle from God that no one was hurt.

Officials are still surveying the area, with troopers going door-to-door assessing the damage. The main priority is getting a dollar figure on the total damage, since Shiawassee officials hope to get some financial aid from the state.

Brancheau asks that people stay away from the area since there are many downed power lines and even though power is out in many areas, some of them are still live.

Paul Spata is with the American Red Cross. He says they had a shelter set up last night, although no one stayed there. The Red Cross is available for case work.

This story was updated Friday, March 15 at 4:45 p.m.

A damaged home in Shiawassee County.
Jodi Westrick / Michigan Radio
/
Michigan Radio
A damaged home in Shiawassee County.
The command center set up at the Vernon County Fire Station. Officials there are working to assess the damage from the tornado.
Jodi Westrick / Michigan Radio
/
Michigan Radio
The command center set up at the Vernon County Fire Station. Officials there are working to assess the damage from the tornado.

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Kate Wells is a Peabody Award-winning journalist and co-host of the Michigan Radio and NPR podcast Believed. The series was widely ranked among the best of the year, drawing millions of downloads and numerous awards. She and co-host Lindsey Smith received the prestigious Livingston Award for Young Journalists. Judges described their work as "a haunting and multifaceted account of U.S.A. Gymnastics doctor Larry Nassar’s belated arrest and an intimate look at how an army of women – a detective, a prosecutor and survivors – brought down the serial sex offender."