Detroit’s First Tornado in 29 Years Leaves Major Damage

Detroit just got hit with something the city hasn't officially seen in nearly 30 years: a confirmed tornado.

Detroit Tornado Leaves Major Damage Across East Side

The National Weather Service says a tornado tore through Detroit's east side Thursday afternoon, September 3rd. It's the first confirmed tornado inside Detroit city limits since July 2nd, 1997. And the damage is no joke.

READ MORE: Historic F-5 Tornado Left Lasting Scars on Genesee County

The storm ripped through areas near Mt. Elliott and Vernor and continued toward Belle Isle, snapping trees, peeling roofs off homes, knocking down power lines, and scattering debris across the east side. A building near Concord Avenue and St. Paul Street also collapsed.

Michigan Sees Tornadic Weather for Second Straight Day

DTE says crews were working to restore power, while nearly 100 intersections were still without power following the storm. Click On Detroit reports that drivers are being told to treat any intersection with dead traffic lights as a four-way stop.

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The tornado came just one day after an EF0 tornado touched down in Marysville in St. Clair County, making this two straight days of tornadic weather in Southeast Michigan.

Detroit's Last Tornado Was Part of Historic 1997 Outbreak

And here's the crazy part: Detroit's last confirmed tornado was part of the infamous July 2nd, 1997 tornado outbreak. According to WDIV, that F2 tornado tore through Detroit, Highland Park, and Hamtramck, causing nearly $100 million in damage and injuring almost 100 people. That same day, 13 tornadoes hit Southeast Michigan, still the most ever recorded here in a single day and seven people were killed.

READ MORE: Kansas Man Moves To Avoid Twisters, Michigan Home Destroyed by Tornado

One of the deadliest incidents happened in Grosse Pointe Farms, where a family took shelter under a gazebo as straight-line winds approached 100 miles per hour. The gazebo was thrown into Lake St. Clair, killing five members of the family. So yeah, Thursday's tornado is another reminder that Michigan isn't exactly Tornado Alley, but when severe weather gets going here, it can get serious in a hurry.