twister also wounded more than 40 people when he swept through the city of Gaylord, which is about 60 miles east of of Traverse City in the state’s lower peninsula, resulting in what officials are calling “catastrophic” damage.
“This is took out insane amount of buildings and just endangered so many lives,” said Jordan Ory, Gaylord. city Council member. “The city is destroyed.”
Tornado touched down in noisy part of in city, home to shopsrestaurants and retail stores — some of who were destroyed.
Photo of damage show littered streets with garbage, businesses with roofs and walls are ripped off and cars are completely overturned over. The roads were also blocked by fallen trees and power lines.
“This is busy downtown area, and it went right through,” said Lieutenant Jim Gorno. of Department of Michigan of Natural resources describing aftermath as “catastrophic”.
Brandon Smith, 26 years old.year- an old resident of Gaylord, said he was worth outside his house About quarter of a mile from the tornado when he saw it roll over some trees, remembering what sounded like freight train.
“I think it was deafening for those in This pathSmith said. We are used to the snow and it doesn’t bother us. us but to see this type of weather just shocked everyone.”
Michigan Average just 15 tornadoes per year website shows. Around 25,000 people live in Gaylord and Otsego County, according to the US Census Bureau.
“This is north Michigan, we very rarely get tornadoes,” said Gabe Ory, a local resident and council member. brother.
This was stated in an interview with CNN 35 by Munson Healthcare spokesman Brian Lawson. people were taken over by the hospital system for treatment and eight more people treated in other institutions. Michigan State Police released the number of wounded 44 years old.
Gaylord is under curfew until 8 a.m. Saturday, officials said.
Governor announces state of emergency
twister hit west of in city center near Interstate 75 and moved east to northeast, National Weather Service meteorologist Sean Christensen told CNN.
Michigan Governor Gretchen Whitmer Proclaimed State of emergency for the country in commemoration of tornado.
“We do available all public resources in cooperation with local response and recovery effort,” Whitmer said during news Friday night conference in Gaylord.
“My heart goes out families and small businesses affected by tornadoes and serious weather in Gaylord, she said. on social media. “To all Gaylord community — Michigan with you. We will do whatever it takes to rebuild.”
CNN’s Sharif Paget, Steve Almasi, Michelle Watson and Dave Alsup contributed to this report.
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