Late last night, parts of Saginaw County went from quiet to high alert in a hurry as a tornado warning lit up phones and weather radios. With radar showing a rotating thunderstorm moving east across the county, officials urged anyone in the warning area to get to the nearest sturdy shelter before the storm reached more populated town centers.
Tornado warning for western Saginaw County
The National Weather Service in Detroit/Pontiac issued the tornado warning at 11:27 p.m. yesterday for western Saginaw County after radar indicated a severe thunderstorm capable of producing a tornado near Marion Springs, about 11 miles west of St. Charles, moving east at roughly 40 mph, according to the National Weather Service Detroit/Pontiac. The warning listed the hazard as a tornado and cautioned that flying debris would be dangerous to anyone without shelter and that mobile homes could be damaged or destroyed. People in the warned area were told to head to a basement or an interior room on the lowest floor immediately.
Storm track and watches
As the storm line pushed east, forecast text and local reports showed the tornadic cell tracking toward Birch Run and Bridgeport around midnight, with Frankenmuth expected shortly after, per MLive. The Storm Prediction Center had a broad Tornado Watch in effect for much of southeast Michigan into the early morning hours, a watch that local meteorologists highlighted for residents in the region, according to ClickOnDetroit. Authorities reminded people that a watch is a heads-up to stay alert, while a warning is the cue to act right away.
Take cover now
The NWS emergency text pulled no punches, instructing residents to "TAKE COVER NOW!" and again telling people to move to a basement or an interior room on the lowest floor and stay away from windows, according to the National Weather Service. Forecasters stressed that those outdoors, in vehicles, or in mobile homes are especially vulnerable and should seek substantial shelter immediately. Emergency managers also warned of likely damaging straight-line winds and downed trees as storms roll through the area.
Flooding risk and practical steps
On top of the tornado threat, a flood watch remained in effect for southeast Michigan as repeated rounds of heavy rain could lead to ponding and road closures, per CBS Detroit. Broadcasters and local officials urged residents to keep phones charged, have multiple ways to receive warnings, and steer clear of flooded roadways until the storms move out.
