A late-night tornado ripped through a dairy farm near Fenwick, Michigan, early today, shredding outbuildings and sending hundreds of cows spilling across rural roads and fields. Neighbors and first responders spent hours in the dark chasing cattle through the countryside, and authorities said there were no serious injuries reported at the scene.
Reporting from Grand Rapids’ 13 On Your Side, shared by FirstCoastNews, said the twister ripped the door off a large garage, destroyed multiple farm buildings and left the farmhouse with damaged siding, a broken chimney and shattered windows. The original on-the-ground coverage credited WZZM reporter Sarah Edgecomb for documenting the damage.
NWS Confirms Touchdown
The National Weather Service said a tornado touched down in downtown Otsego and tracked into Plainwell as part of the same severe line that moved across western Michigan. According to the National Weather Service, survey crews planned to inspect the damage on Wednesday, and local outlets noted that multiple watches and warnings were in effect across the state as storms rolled through.
Hundreds Of Cattle On The Loose
First responders and volunteers spent the night rounding up the herd, with crews working into daylight to secure animals that had wandered onto county roads and neighboring fields. Janet Hull, who sheltered in her basement during the storm, told WZZM in comments relayed by FirstCoastNews that some cows had been recovered but many remained loose into the morning.
Local Response And Road Impacts
Deputies and volunteer crews at times closed rural roads so teams could move cattle safely and clear debris from the pavement, according to local reporting. The overnight system also triggered tornado watches and warnings across the region, documented by ClickOnDetroit.
What’s Next
Officials said the immediate priorities are accounting for livestock and securing damaged structures while the National Weather Service completes its storm survey to determine the tornado’s intensity and exact path. Authorities asked residents with footage or information to contact local law enforcement so investigators and news crews can piece together the full scope of the storm’s impact.
