NWS issues Michigan’s first “Tornado Emergency” alert: What it means

The National Weather Service issued the first “tornado emergency” alert in Michigan history on Tuesday.

A strong line of storms moved through West Michigan on Tuesday afternoon, triggering multiple tornado warnings and a tornado emergency.

The warning was issued for Union City and Sherwood. It ended at 6:30 p.m

It is a rare warning that goes beyond the tornado warning. The criteria for a tornado emergency warning are as follows:

A. There is an immediate or ongoing threat to human life.

B. Catastrophic damage is imminent or ongoing.

c Reliable sources confirm tornado (either 1 or 2):

1. Visual.

2. Radar imagery strongly suggests the existence of a damaging tornado (e.g., a debris ball signature).

WOOD-TV reports at least two possible confirmed tornadoes in West Michigan, including in Portage.