West Michigan was hit hard by severe weather late Thursday night into early Friday morning, causing widespread damage and power outages across the state.

As of 10:30 a.m. Friday, over 250,000 Michigan residents were without power. Here’s the breakdown for local counties:

• Clare County: 1 out of 26,627 customers without power (0.01%)
• Isabella County: 1,076 out of 32,256 customers without power (3.34%)
• Kent County: 7,616 out of 304,270 customers without power (2.50%)
• Lake County: 16 out of 14,742 customers without power (0.11%)
• Mecosta County: 24 out of 24,497 customers without power (0.10%)
• Montcalm County: 281 out of 34,790 customers without power (0.81%)
• Newaygo County: 1,715 out of 29,816 customers without power (5.75%)
• Osceola County: 40 out of 15,613 customers without power (0.26%)

The National Weather Service (NWS) office in Grand Rapids recorded a peak wind gust of 61 miles per hour, the highest measured in Grand Rapids this year, surpassing the previous high of 54 mph on April 29. The strongest wind gust in the state was 75 miles per hour, recorded in Battle Creek.

Social media reports indicate trees were uprooted and snapped in areas like Big Rapids and Grant due to the storm’s powerful winds. Fallen branches and debris littered roadways, buildings, and vehicles in other areas.

A tornado watch was issued for the entire northwestern portion of Lower Michigan at 6:00 p.m. Thursday due to high instability and strong wind shear. The NWS Grand Rapids office issued 15 tornado warnings. A tornado warning was issued for Newaygo County around 9:40 p.m., and the NWS will survey the area Friday morning and afternoon to assess potential tornado activity. 

More information, such as additional wind measurements and tornado damage, will be published once confirmed by the National Weather Service.