Toddler killed in unexpected tornado in Michigan

LIVONIA, Michigan – A storm that came without warning wreaked havoc in communities outside Detroit on Wednesday, killing a child and leaving his mother seriously injured, local authorities said.

Livonia Fire Chief Robert Jennison said his crews spent more than an hour rescuing a family from their home after it was partially destroyed by a falling tree.

According to reports, the toddler’s mother was in bed with her child when the tree fell on their house during a severe storm.

The storm that caused the destruction produced an EF-1 tornado with winds estimated at 90 to 95 miles per hour, according to the local National Weather Service office.

The tornado was estimated to have been on the ground for more than five miles (8 kilometers), damaging homes and trees on the west side of the metro along its path.

TORNADOES SPOTTED OUTSIDE WASHINGTON, DC, AS FIREFIGHTERS FIGHT TO RESCUES STORM OPERATIONS FROM THE DAMAGE

Unlike many storms that are subject to a tornado warning, NWS meteorologists did not issue a tornado warning for the cell, and emergency management did not activate alert systems such as tornado sirens.

“This is obviously a very traumatic experience. Our thoughts and prayers are with the friends and families of the victims. This has been a tough day,” said Jennison.

Dozens more trees in Livonia and surrounding communities were either damaged or uprooted.

On Thursday evening, DTE Energy reported that more than 20,000 people were still without power as a result of the severe storms.

The state governor promised to provide all necessary resources to restore services as quickly as possible.

“My team has been in touch with the mayor of Livonia following today’s severe weather. It is tragic to hear of the death of a young Michigander. Emergency crews are on site for those affected by the storm and utility companies will work to restore power,” Governor Gretchen Whitmer said in a statement.

There was an error retrieving the tweet. It may have been deleted.

2 dead and 44 injured after an EF-3 tornado hits a Michigan town

The tornado in Livonia was one of two that hit Michigan on Wednesday; several other tornadoes were reported in the Washington, DC and Baltimore metropolitan areas.

The storms were triggered by the same storm system that is expected to bring unsettled conditions to the Northeast for the remainder of the work week.