Gaines Township, MI — Two tornadoes were confirmed by the National Weather Service (NWS) as they tore through West Michigan on Sunday afternoon, leaving behind significant damage in their wake. The storms caused widespread destruction in Cass County and Gaines Township, though fortunately, no fatalities or injuries were reported.
An EF1 tornado touched down in a field west of Conrad Road, near Edwardsburg, in Cass County at approximately 4:52 p.m. The tornado tracked northeast toward Edwardsburg Primary School, packing winds of up to 100 mph. The storm’s path spanned 2.06 miles over just three minutes, leaving behind a trail of destruction. Homes and businesses were damaged, and numerous trees were uprooted. The most significant damage was seen along Dailey Road, where large trees were snapped and the roof of the Starboard Choice Marina was torn off. Several boats were also damaged, with one being flipped over a fence, according to the NWS.
Meanwhile, an EF0 tornado touched down in Gaines Township at around 5:42 p.m., near the intersection of 100th Street SE and Eastern Avenue. The tornado, with winds reaching up to 80 mph, remained on the ground for about five minutes, tracking northeast for 4.2 miles. The tornado caused significant damage to trees and outbuildings, and a barn in the area near 92nd Avenue and Kalamazoo Avenue was destroyed, with debris scattered several hundred feet. Despite the damage, no injuries or fatalities were reported. However, the storm left a trail of downed trees and snapped utility poles, leading to widespread power outages in the region. Tim Zandbergen, a resident whose barn was also damaged, recalled the terrifying moment. “It was raining so hard, you couldn’t see 30 feet,” Zandbergen said. “All you could hear was the rain hitting the roof and the windows. I just told my wife, ‘Grab the dog, we’re going to the basement.’”
The tornado warnings continued as the storm system moved through other areas. Radar also indicated potential tornado activity near Newaygo County’s Croton Township around 6:10 p.m. While the NWS has yet to confirm whether this was a tornado or strong straight-line winds, the storm appeared to remain on the ground for about 10 minutes.
In addition to the tornadoes, strong winds were reported in several areas, including gusts over 80 mph near Grand Rapids and Cascade Township. Even without a direct tornado hit, these powerful winds caused damage to buildings, trees, and infrastructure, exacerbating the impact of the storms.
The damage in the affected areas was significant, with power outages impacting thousands. Consumers Energy has estimated that some areas may not have power restored until Wednesday. This event marks the second EF0 tornado to hit Gaines Township in the past four years. A similar storm struck the area in April 2021, causing damage along a half-mile path.
While the tornadoes caused destruction, local officials were grateful that no lives were lost. The community now faces the challenging task of cleaning up and rebuilding, but many residents remain resilient in the face of adversity. As the stormy weather moves on, the recovery process is just beginning for those affected.
