Detroit, Michigan – As spring storm systems begin strengthening across the United States, emergency officials are urging Michigan residents to review tornado safety plans now as severe weather risks increase across the Midwest and Great Lakes region.
According to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), tornado activity typically increases during the spring months as warm, moisture-rich air surges northward and collides with colder air masses moving across the country. While Michigan is not traditionally part of the central Plains tornado corridor, the state still averages about 15 tornadoes per year, many of which occur between late spring and early summer.
Cities including Detroit, Grand Rapids, Lansing, Flint and Kalamazoo can experience tornado-producing thunderstorms when strong storm systems move across the Great Lakes. These storms often form quickly along cold fronts or within powerful lines of thunderstorms, meaning residents may only have minutes to react once a warning is issued.
NOAA urges residents to identify a safe shelter location inside their home or workplace before storms develop. The safest place during a tornado is a basement or underground shelter, where individuals should move immediately when a tornado warning is issued.
If a basement is not available, experts recommend sheltering in a small interior room on the lowest floor of a sturdy building, such as a bathroom, closet or hallway without windows. Residents should stay away from windows, exterior walls and large open rooms, which can be more vulnerable to structural damage during strong winds.
Mobile homes and vehicles are especially dangerous during tornadoes. Anyone in these locations should move to a nearby sturdy building or designated storm shelter well before severe weather arrives.
Officials also stress the importance of having multiple ways to receive weather warnings, including Wireless Emergency Alerts on smartphones, NOAA Weather Radio and local television or radio broadcasts.
Preparing ahead of time can save lives. As spring severe weather threats increase across the Midwest, NOAA encourages Michigan residents to stay weather aware and review safety plans now before the next round of storms develops.
