Photo from Samantha Craig’s Facebook Page
Photo from Robyn Robinson’s Facebook Page.
Paul Garrod, Staff Writer
Jordan Wilcox, Assistant Publisher
On Sunday night, March 30, a fast-moving storm brought high winds and heavy rain to southwestern Michigan.
In Paw Paw, a portion of the St. Julian Winery roof was blown off, causing damage. The business remained closed on Monday to assess and repair the damage.
In Oshtemo Township, the canopy of the Marathon station on West Main Street was blown over.
Area residents were hit hard as well. Just outside Paw Paw, one family watched in horror while their carport was lifted right off its anchors and bent.
Another, Almena Township, family was shocked with extensive home damage, when a tree fell on their rooftop.
Other storm damage saw trees and tree limbs land on roadways (54th Avenue, Antwerp Township) and in front yards on Kalamazoo Street, (Village of Paw Paw).
Fire departments, police, first responders, and the Van Buren County Road Commission kept busy responding to many calls during and after the storm.
According to the NOAA Storm Prediction Center, it initially received 570 reports of high winds, hail, and tornadoes. Several were reported in West Michigan, including a confirmed EF-1 in Edwardsburg.
There were 369 reports of high winds, and wind damage, with the strongest winds recorded at Jackson Airport at 96 mph, and tied for third highest wind at Gerald R. Ford International Airport, Grand Rapids, at 81 mph.
