Tornado hits Perry in Shiawassee County, leaving a 'path of destruction,' but no injuries

Frank Witsil, Detroit Free Press
Updated ·2 min read
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A tornado touched down Friday night in Michigan, ripping through Perry, a small community in Shiawassee County, and leaving what the fire department called a "path of destruction." It was part of a system of storms that swept across the state.

No injuries were reported, the National Weather Service said early Saturday

There also was flooding in the Flint area, with 2-3 inches of rainfall.

Weather forecasters said more showers are expected to sweep through southeast Michigan this afternoon.

In Perry, which is about a 30 minutes drive east from Lansing, downed trees and powerlines prompted the city to declare a state of emergency, and some businesses, like Amy's Downtown Diner, to announce they would be temporarily closed because there was no power.

VIDEO: TV5 Viewer David Ross sent in this video of the Perry, Michigan tornado earlier this evening. So far only tree and light structural damage have been reported. No injuries or fatalities reported at this time.

Posted by Meteorologist Kyle Gillett on Friday, August 11, 2023

Rick Louis, with Perry Area Fire Rescue, said the hardest hit areas included City Hall, where there was damage to the city’s public works department garage and a park pavilion, which collapsed, according to WJRT-TV in Flint. Officials urged residents to stay clear of the area.

A tornado that touched down in Perry, Michigan, on Friday, Aug. 11, 2023, was so powerful it tore trees out by their roots.
A tornado that touched down in Perry, Michigan, on Friday, Aug. 11, 2023, was so powerful it tore trees out by their roots.

The tornado and full extent of the damage is expected to be assessed Saturday.

It is the fifth tornado to touch down in Michigan this year.

More: 5 tornadoes have touched down in Michigan in 2023

Several residents posted to social media Saturday they would recover from the damage and rebuild.

Perry was named after Oliver Hazard Perry, a naval officer in the War of 1812. Perry is recognized for his determination, his message to Gen. — later President — William Henry Harrison after a fight with the British that said: "We have met the enemy and they are ours," and his battle flag slogan: "Don’t Give Up the Ship."

Contact Frank Witsil: 313-222-5022 or fwitsil@freepress.com.

This article originally appeared on Detroit Free Press: Tornado hits Perry in Shiawassee County,