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A huge oak tree fell onto an unoccupied trailer in the Silver Lake area, cutting it in half, during the June 25, 2024 storm. – Oceana County Sheriff’s Office photo
By Allison Scarbrough, News Editor
HART — Springtime in west Michigan brings warmer temperatures and sunny skies, but it also creates an opportunity for powerful winds, thunderstorms, hail, flash flooding and tornadoes.
Severe Weather Awareness Week is March 16-22, and Oceana County Emergency Manager Troy Maloney encourages residents to visit ready.gov for important severe weather safety tips. “Ready.gov is all about preparedness.”
Damage in Shelby from the June 25, 2024 storm. – OCP photo
Thunderstorms could hit west Michigan overnight and Saturday, March 15. “Early Saturday morning will have rain showers and some thunderstorms passing through Michigan,” states an announcement from the National Weather Service in Grand Rapids. “There is a chance of isolated damaging wind gusts in southwest parts of the state. Then after the storms pass, much of Saturday will be windy with gusts reaching 45-55 mph.”
“When the thunder roars, go indoors,” said Maloney. “If you can hear thunder, you can get struck by lightning. Pay attention to watches and warnings. When these storms come in, take shelter. If you’re camping, get in your car or go into a public bathroom and take shelter. Once the storm is over, pay
Damage in Shelby from the June 25, 2024 storm. – OCP photo
attention to the downed trees and power lines. Electric wires are our biggest hazard in our area. Downed electrical wires and trees during and after a storm are our biggest issue. If you find power lines that are down, report them.”
During a thunderstorm, avoid running water, like taking a shower for instance, or using a landline phone. Electricity can travel through plumbing and phone lines.
“When you get a warning, take shelter. When you get a watch, take them seriously. You don’t have to stop what you’re doing, but pay a little extra attention to that rumble of thunder you’re hearing in the background or that dark cloud that’s coming in or a change in wind direction or temperature.”
Turbulent air masses create the spring storms. “You have cold winter air and warm spring air trying to take up the same space,” said Maloney.
Ken Hepworth cleans up tree debris in Shelby.
– OCP photo
Thunderstorms and damaging winds ripped through west Michigan June 25, 2024, uprooting trees and damaging homes. “It wasn’t widespread, but where it hit, it was bad,” said Maloney of the aftermath of the early summer storm in Oceana County. “We had a couple houses or trailers that were lost, but they were secondary homes.” The White Lake community just to the south of the county was hit even worse.
Oceana County residents are resilient when it comes to stormy weather, said the emergency manager, but “we just need to pay more attention. We know it’s coming, but we always act surprised,” Maloney said. “And we shouldn’t be — we should be prepared.”
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