Three tornadoes touched down across Southeast Michigan early Thursday morning as a powerful line of thunderstorms swept through the region, confirming 2025's record-setting pace for tornado activity in the state. The National Weather Service (NWS) damage surveys identified an EF-1 tornado with 90 mph winds near Gregory in Livingston County, and two EF-0 tornadoes in St. Charles (Saginaw County) and Atlas Township (Genesee County), according to CBS Detroit.
Hickory Ridge Dairy Farm Bears Brunt of Strongest Tornado
The most destructive tornado carved a 1.6-mile path between Stockbridge and Gregory just after midnight. Hitting Hickory Ridge Dairy Farm with significant force, the EF-1 twister damaged three of the farm's four barns and snapped numerous hardwood trees before transitioning into a downburst south of Gregory that produced widespread tree damage with winds up to 75 mph, as reported by ClickOnDetroit.
Farm owner Gary Topping was watching weather forecasts as the storm approached his cash crop operation. "They hadn't declared a tornado warning until about 15 minutes before. And we never heard the sirens of anything. Actually, I was watching the storm out the window," Topping told WXYZ Detroit. Aerial footage from FOX 2 Detroit showed extensive destruction at the historic farm with roofs ripped off buildings, twisted metal, and splintered wood scattered across the property.
Located at 17154 East M-106 in Stockbridge, Hickory Ridge Farm is approaching its centennial celebration. Despite the extensive damage, Topping expressed hopes of having everything repaired within the next three years in time for the milestone, according to reports from WXYZ Detroit.
Additional Tornadoes Cause Damage in Saginaw and Genesee Counties
In St. Charles (Saginaw County), an EF-0 tornado with peak winds of 85 mph touched down at approximately 12:05 a.m. Friday near Dempsey Road and Walnut Street. The tornado, which was about a quarter-mile wide, tracked northeast for 1.6 miles, causing damage at Kimberly Oaks Golf Club and Coal Miners' Park before dissipating at 12:10 a.m., according to The Detroit News.
The third tornado, rated EF-0 with 75 mph winds, developed near Atlas in Genesee County at 12:35 a.m. This compact tornado, measuring only 100 yards wide, damaged both soft and hardwood trees along its 1.2-mile path before lifting north of Goodrich, as confirmed by FOX 2 Detroit.
Part of a Larger Storm System
These three tornadoes were part of a larger storm system that also produced three additional tornadoes in Michigan on Thursday: an EF-0 from Galesburg to Grand Rapids, another EF-0 north of Battle Creek in the Bedford area, and an EF-1 from Charlotte to the Lansing area. Meteorologist Derek Kevra of FOX 2 noted the strong thunderstorm system stretched approximately 50 miles from end to end as it moved through the state.
The severe weather left thousands without power across Michigan. At one point overnight, over 280,000 customers across the state were without electricity, with the majority of outages concentrated in the southwest region, including Berrien, Kalamazoo, Calhoun, and Van Buren counties, according to CBS Detroit.
Record-Setting Tornado Season
Michigan has experienced an unprecedented tornado season in 2025. The state has now recorded 24 tornadoes so far this year, nearly double its 30-year annual average of 13, according to the National Weather Service. According to data dating back to 1950, no other year has seen this many tornadoes so early in the season, as reported by The Detroit News.
The current record for tornadoes in Michigan in a single year is 40, set in 1974. The recent string of tornado activity began on March 30, 2025, when 14 tornadoes touched down across the state in a single day, followed by two more in early April. Michigan typically experiences most of its tornado activity in May and June, suggesting the potential for continued severe weather in the coming weeks.
"Several circulations developed within this line (of storms) as it crossed into SE Michigan after midnight," the NWS Detroit posted on their social media account. "NWS damage surveys confirmed three tornadoes amid the wider spread straight-line wind damage over the region," according to FOX 2 Detroit.
Social Media Reactions
Local meteorologists and storm chasers took to social media to track the severe weather as it moved through Michigan. The National Weather Service in Grand Rapids posted frequent updates on X (formerly Twitter), including tornado warnings and footage of the storm's progression. One local storm chaser, Chad from ABC12, shared striking images of the aftermath in St. Charles with the caption: "Here's a look at the aftermath from last nights storm damage in St. Charles, off of M-52," as seen in posts from ABC12.
Despite the intensity of the storms, fortunately, no injuries or fatalities were reported from any of the three tornadoes in Southeast Michigan. However, the same weather system caused significant casualties as it moved southeast, with at least 27 people killed in Kentucky, Missouri, and Virginia in the following days, according to The Washington Post.
Preparing for Future Severe Weather
With Michigan already experiencing a record-setting pace for tornado activity and more severe weather possible in the coming weeks, officials are urging residents to stay vigilant. The Michigan State Police Emergency Management and Homeland Security Division recommends having an emergency plan in place and keeping emergency supplies, including a NOAA Weather Radio, flashlights, and batteries, readily available.
Residents should also familiarize themselves with the difference between a tornado watch (conditions are favorable for tornado development) and a tornado warning (a tornado has been spotted or detected on radar). In the event of a warning, people should seek shelter immediately in a basement or an interior room on the lowest floor, away from windows.
"We are asking our citizens to prepare because we're going to get another round of storms tonight. National Weather Service did just upgrade what we were supposed to be getting. So we're asking that everybody again, stay storm aware, weather aware, and be prepared," a local emergency official told WXYZ Detroit.
For more information on tornado safety and preparation, visit the National Weather Service website or download a weather alert app to receive timely warnings.
