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Two tornadoes touched down in southeast Michigan Thursday night, NWS confirms

Posted at 11:22 AM, Mar 15, 2019
and last updated 2019-03-15 19:30:43-04

SHIAWASSEE COUNTY, Mich. (WXYZ) — The National Weather Service says two tornadoes touched down in Genesee County, in addition to the two that touched down in Shiawassee County Thursday night.

Damage surveys are now confirming a tornado touched down near Flushing and traveled 8 miles into Flint. The second traveled 6.5 miles from Mount Morris to Otisville. Both are rated as EF-0s.

According to NWS, there was a strong tornado and a weaker tornado which occurred north in Shiawassee County.

Peak winds for the weaker tornado were 80 miles per hour and its path spanned 6.4 miles. The tornado began at 6:47 p.m. and ended at 6:54 p.m.

NWS says it touched down in Pittsburg and centered northeast, crossing M-52 near West Grand River Road. Hardwood trees were observed snapped with large limbs down.

Trees were uprooted and a farm outbuilding lost its roof.

Police say 60 homes were destroyed from the severe weather Thursday night. Power was knocked out to thousands of people and is expected to be restored by Saturday afternoon.

Lower Michigan also saw severe thunderstorm warnings, watches, flooding, high winds