A quiet Redford Township block turned into a demolition zone last Friday when a massive tree came crashing straight through an occupied home during a powerful Metro Detroit windstorm. The impact destroyed the house, but in the kind of luck you do not argue with, everyone inside made it out uninjured.
The tree came down on Delaware Street near Five Mile Road and Beech Daly Road as strong gusts ripped through the area, taking down mature trees throughout the neighborhood. Neighbors gathered outside while emergency crews responded and township officials began checking the extent of the structural damage.
According to Metro Detroit News, the home was occupied when the tree collapsed, yet no injuries were reported. The outlet did not identify the residents and did not report whether the building had been officially red-tagged.
High wind warning in effect
The National Weather Service had a High Wind Warning posted for parts of southeast Michigan on Friday, with forecasters calling for gusts up to 49 mph, strong enough to snap branches and uproot large, older trees. The National Weather Service Detroit/Pontiac office warned that blustery conditions would likely continue through the afternoon and evening and urged residents to be cautious around falling branches and debris that can damage homes and knock out power.
Safety and reporting
If you come across a downed power line or any other immediate danger, call 911 right away. For non-emergency situations or to report storm damage that is not life-threatening, Redford Township provides police contact information and other resources on its website. The department’s business line is 313-387-2500, and the after-hours line is 313-387-2551. More details are available from the Redford Township Police Department.
Residents who lose power or spot downed wires are urged to report outages through DTE Energy’s outage center and to stay well away from any fallen lines. The National Weather Service Detroit/Pontiac office notes that gusty winds may linger into the evening, so securing loose outdoor items and limiting unnecessary travel until crews clear hazards is strongly recommended.
