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Sunday, November 15, 2026Nov 15

7 tornadoes confirmed as Michigan storms down trees and power lines; 5 people killed

Equipment is moved into place outside the New Life at Calvary Church, Friday, Aug. 25, 2023, in Cleveland, after storms damaged 143-year-old church late Thursday, Aug. 24, 2023. (AP Photo/Sue Ogrocki)
Equipment is moved into place outside the New Life at Calvary Church, Friday, Aug. 25, 2023, in Cleveland, after storms damaged 143-year-old church late Thursday, Aug. 24, 2023. (AP Photo/Sue Ogrocki)

CANTON TOWNSHIP, Mich. (AP) — At least seven tornadoes touched down in Michigan as part of severe storms powered by strong winds that killed five people, while downing trees, tearing roofs off buildings and leaving hundreds of thousands of customers without power, officials said.

The National Weather Service on Friday said an EF-2 tornado with a maximum wind speed of 125 mph (201 kilometers per hour) struck Lansing, the state capital, killing one person Thursday night and injuring three others.

Lansing Police Department spokesperson Jordan Gulkis said an 84-year-old woman died after a tree fell on a home. Firefighters extricated the woman from the home, but she was pronounced dead at a hospital.

The weather service also confirmed that an EF-1 tornado with winds of 90 mph (145 kph) crossed from Ingham County into the western edge of adjacent Livingston County on Thursday night.

Four other EF-1 tornadoes were reported in Belleville and Gibraltar in Wayne County, and in South Rockwood and near Newport in Monroe County.