Storm Chasers Estimate 10-15 Tornados Strike Michigan in Spring Storm Outbreak

Michigan may have just passed its average annual tornado count in a single night in mid-May 2025 and may have doubled that annual average very early in the season.

That's the supposition of a group of dedicated Michigan storm chasers.

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West Michigan Bears the Brunt

The official count will come, of course from the National Weather Service. But for now, storm chasers are estimating 10-15 touchdowns of tornadoes across the state from the May 15 storm.

The storm cells first hit the state's west coast around Muskegon, with a second line impacting Holland soon after.

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Portage Reels Again: Drive-In Destroyed

More storms moved on shore between South Haven and Benton Harbor, but they really started firing up around Kalamazoo., A tornado is suspected to have hit Battle Creek. In Portage, still in recovery mode from 2024 tornadoes, the storm demolished what remained of the West Lake Drive-In.

Across Allegan County and Southern Kent County into Branch County a cell is suspected to have caused a tornado based on debris signatures spotted on radar. There are photos of damage in Martin,  in Wayland and in Dorr where a drone captured video of the aftermath.

Mid-Michigan Affected: Lansing Area Damage

In Mid-Michigan there's evidence of tornadic damage in the Lansing area and its suburbs like Potterville. From there, damage reports continued into the Flint area.

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Official word on the exact number of touchdowns and strength of the twisters will come from the National Weather Services offices in Grand Rapids and Detroit. The first confirmation came around midday Friday an EF-0 from Galesburg to Battle Creek.