SHIAWASSEE COUNTY (WWJ) - The City of Perry was struck by a tornado during a nighttime outbreak of severe weather that stretched from the Thumb region down to Metro Detroit on Friday, weather experts confirmed.
The National Weather Service said an EF-1 tornado touched down three miles west of Perry in Shiawassee County at around 7:51 p.m. on August 11 and immediately started wreaking havoc on surrounding trees in the area of Beardslee Road, just south of Boulder Lane.
As the tornado entered Perry city limits, meteorologists said it began to intensify.
"Damage located around the intersection of Polly St. and Lamb St. and southeast into the intersection of 2nd St. and Washington St. consisted of large uprooted trees, sheared large tree limbs, major roofing damage to several outbuildings, and shingle/siding damaging to some residential homes," the NWS said in a survey update released around 10:30 a.m. on Saturday.
The tornado grew to 430 yards wide and reached peak wind speeds of 95 mph. Although considered a "weak" tornado by the Enhanced Fujita Scale, the Perry tornado was one mph short of hitting the minimum sustained wind speed of a Category 2 hurricane.
The tornado then weakened as it came into the area of Washington and 2nd St. where it brought down a several large tree limbs before lifting off the ground heading east.
No injuries or deaths were reported in Perry, which has roughly 2,000 residents 25 miles northeast of Lansing.
National Weather Service Meteorologist Alex Mannion said they knew it was a tornado prior to sending a survey team out on Saturday due to radar indicators that were supported by photos and video submitted by residents.
A number of videos taken from the area and posted to social media showed a funnel cloud forming in the sky before it reached the ground near M-52. Several drivers were pulled over on the side of the road as they watched the sky.
City officials declared a state of emergency on Friday evening due to the tornado and urged residents to limit sewer usage because of “power outages” and a strain on pumping stations.
“Many downed power lines and dangerous conditions. Please remain off the streets,” the city wrote in a social media post. “STAY HOME AND STAY SAFE.”
Emergency personnel were on scene during the overnight hours assisting with downed powerlines and checking in on residents. Officials asked for anyone who sees fallen wires to call 911.
The local fire department said they were aware of multiple hazards following the story, including downed wires.
“Please avoid this area and let the emergency workers do their job," the Perry Area Fire and Rescue wrote on social media. "Thankfully we have had no injuries thus far.”
The same line of storms also fired up tornado warnings sounded in Oakland County over radar-indicated rotation, although no reports of immediate damage have so far been reported.
The severe weather prompted local FOX 2 meteorologist Stephanie Mead to interrupt a preseason opener between the Lions and the New York Giants to broadcast the tornado warnings, drawing the ire of football fans.