The National Weather Service confirmed Monday that an EF-0 tornado briefly touched down near Beaverton on April 24, clipping a local farmstead for about a minute and damaging outbuildings and other freestanding objects. Even so, it still goes in the books, and coverage from CBS News Detroit notes the brief twister was Michigan's 15th confirmed tornado of 2026.
In a preliminary damage survey, the National Weather Service said the funnel touched down at 2:44 p.m. EDT about 5.6 miles west-southwest of Beaverton, tracked roughly 0.1 miles, and dissipated after about one minute, with peak winds estimated near 65 mph. Forecasters recorded a maximum path width of about 20 yards and noted that the tornado crossed a farmstead and damaged several outbuildings.
Security Camera Footage and Local Images
Security camera video from the property known locally as The Wild Pumpkin caught the funnel as it moved across open fields and clipped several outbuildings, photos and video reviewed by local crews show, according to WNEM. The station reported that there were no injuries and that the NWS survey was delayed while crews interviewed eyewitnesses and examined the site. Neighbors told reporters they heard a loud roar and saw strong gusts during the brief touchdown.
A Busy Start to Michigan's Tornado Season
Meteorologists and local reporters say the April 24 touchdown is the latest sign of an active spring in Michigan. Nine tornadoes were confirmed during storms on April 15 alone, and this survey brings the year's total into the mid-teens, according to CBS Detroit. While an EF-0 is the weakest rating on the Enhanced Fujita Scale, the National Weather Service urges residents to have multiple ways to get warnings, including a NOAA Weather Radio or a trusted weather app, as outlined in the agency's tornado safety guidance. The agency continues to collect and finalize survey data from this and other recent events.
