Grand Rapids, Michigan – Drivers and residents across Michigan should brace for damaging winds and torrential rain this afternoon, as severe thunderstorms threaten the state from 2 p.m. to 9 p.m. Thursday. Power outages, brief flooding, and travel hazards are expected, especially in the Grand Rapids, Lansing, and Detroit metro areas.
According to the National Weather Service in Grand Rapids, most of southern and central Michigan is under a Level 2 (Slight) risk for severe storms, with the greatest concern being wind gusts that could exceed 60 mph. Localized, short-duration flooding is possible where downpours occur, thanks to a tropical airmass fueling the storms.
Communities including Kalamazoo, Alma, Mt. Pleasant, Ann Arbor, and the I-96 and I-94 corridors should stay alert for rapidly changing weather. While hail and isolated tornadoes are a lower risk, officials urge everyone to secure outdoor objects, charge devices in case of outages, and avoid driving through flooded roads.
Today’s event marks one of the more active severe weather threats this July, reminiscent of summer storms that have caused scattered damage in past years.
Threats are expected to diminish by 9 p.m., but updated advisories may follow if storms linger or intensify. Stay tuned to local alerts and be prepared to take action if warnings are issued.
