KALAMAZOO, Mich. (AP) — A van in Michigan was struck by a falling tree during a severe weekend storm, resulting in the tragic deaths of three children. The storm also led to the passing of an 84-year-old man in an Amish buggy in Indiana, authorities reported on Monday. Additionally, more dangerous weather was forecasted for parts of the Southeast U.S.
The devastation caused by the storm left over 300,000 power outages in Michigan, with nearly 100,000 outages in Wisconsin and Indiana by early afternoon. The combination of freezing rain and strong winds resulted in trees and power lines succumbing to the elements.
The victims in Kalamazoo County included a 2-year-old girl, her 4-year-old brother, and their 11-year-old cousin. Three others in the van sustained injuries during the incident, which occurred about 130 miles west of Detroit.
Sheriff Richard Fuller stated that the family had no means to avoid the tragic event, as the tree struck the area where the children were seated in the van. The tree was so large that it spanned across two lanes of traffic and emerged on the other side of the vehicle for an additional 12 feet. The area was under a severe thunderstorm warning at the time, one of several in southern Michigan that day.
Simultaneously, in Middlebury, Indiana, an Amish buggy overturned due to strong winds, leading to the passing of Lonnie Yoder.
Michigan’s northern Lower Peninsula faced significant damage due to freezing rain over the weekend, causing numerous trees to fall. Authorities advised the public to avoid traveling on roads in the affected areas.
In Valparaiso, Indiana, officials believed that fierce crosswinds caused a tractor-trailer to overturn, resulting in the driver’s passing at the Pratt Industries property. In Elkhart, Indiana, a warehouse was destroyed, although no injuries were reported.
Storms in southwest Ohio caused a church steeple to collapse, homes to sustain damage, and campers to overturn, with no injuries reported. A school district near Cincinnati announced the closure of schools due to storm damage.
Several counties in Tennessee, including Maury and Humphreys, reported storm damage, with Humphreys County Sheriff Chris Davis noting a house without a roof, trapping the residents inside without injuries. The National Weather Service warned of severe thunderstorms with strong to severe wind gusts and the possibility of tornadoes across the Southeast on Monday.
