kalamazoo tornado

Kentwood Tornado Story No. 455: Tornadoes In Michigan
Kentwood Tornado Story No. 455: Tornadoes In Michigan
Kentwood Tornado Story No. 455: Tornadoes In Michigan
While not unusual, tornadoes in Michigan are pretty rare. Michigan has averaged 16 tornados a year since 1991. Every state around us averages almost double that amount: Wisconsin 24, Iowa 51, Minnesota 45, Illinois 54. Indiana 22, Ohio 19 and so on. And Michigan has had two pretty big tornadic events since 1950.
May 13, 1980: I Remember the Kalamazoo Tornado [Video]
May 13, 1980: I Remember the Kalamazoo Tornado [Video]
May 13, 1980: I Remember the Kalamazoo Tornado [Video]
I grew up in Kalamazoo. I remember the day a tornado barreled through downtown Kalamazoo: May 13, 1980. For about 20 minutes, the landscape of the downtown area changed forever; 150-year-old trees in Bronson Park were ripped up; and the back of Gilmore's Department store was ripped off. The new Kalamazoo Center had shattered windows.
West Michigan Weather – I Remember the Worst Weather Event In West Michigan History
West Michigan Weather – I Remember the Worst Weather Event In West Michigan History
West Michigan Weather – I Remember the Worst Weather Event In West Michigan History
With Michigan Severe Weather Awareness Week come and gone (It was in April, when we were back to reality after the warm March) The date of May 13, 1980 will always stick with me. It's one of the worst weather days in West Michigan History. The "Kalamazoo Tornado" hit 32 years ago this weekend. I was in elementary school and my class was a roller skating rink in Portage.