Morning storms bring rain and lighting to Branch County

Don Reid, The Daily Reporter
·1 min read

Thunderstorms rolled across Branch County about 1 a.m. Tuesday, putting on a show with thunder and lightning.

Lightning caused a fire in a home at 504 Iyopawa Road that smoldered and then burst into flames just before 8 a.m.

A neighbor saw the flames on the northeast corner of the two-story Coldwater lakeside house. He managed to wake the residents and get them out.

Lakeland Fire quickly removed the siding and put out the fire before it could spread and cause serious damage. A neighbor reported the loud thunderclap during the night, which also caused a split in a tall cottonwood tree near the home.

Minor damage from winds was reported. Rain gauges measured 1.35 inches in Noble Township. A gauge on Quimby Road on the east side of Coldwater Lake held 1.51 inches at 8 a.m.

The rainfall is the first substantial rain in over two weeks in Branch County. Some very scattered showers are expected through Friday with temperatures in the mid-80s and even higher heat index readings. 

A lightning strike split the trunk of a cottonwood tree early Tuesday morning off Iyopawa Road.
A lightning strike split the trunk of a cottonwood tree early Tuesday morning off Iyopawa Road.
Lakeland firefighters peel away siding to get to fire caused by lightning strike on Coldwater Lake.
Lakeland firefighters peel away siding to get to fire caused by lightning strike on Coldwater Lake.

This article originally appeared on The Daily Reporter: Morning storms bring rain and lighting