May 15th, 2007 Wind Damage and Tornadoes

May 15th, 2007 Straight Line Wind and EF0 Tornado Event

Click Image for List of Local Storm Reports

PRELIMINARY LOCAL STORM REPORT...SUMMARY
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE NORTHERN INDIANA
1242 PM EDT THU MAY 17 2007

..TIME..    ...EVENT...     ...CITY LOCATION...      ...LAT.LON...
..DATE..    ....MAG....     ..COUNTY LOCATION.. ST.. ...SOURCE....
            ..REMARKS..

0230 PM     TSTM WND DMG     4 SE BENTON             41.47N  85.71W
05/15/2007                   ELKHART            IN   NWS EMPLOYEE    

            SEVERAL LARGE TREE BRANCHES DOWN  


0250 PM     TSTM WND GST     SYRACUSE                41.42N  85.75W
05/15/2007  M61 MPH          KOSCIUSKO          IN   NWS OFFICE      


0315 PM     TSTM WND DMG     HILLSDALE               41.93N  84.64W
05/15/2007                   HILLSDALE          MI   EMERGENCY MNGR  

            TREES DOWN...SCATTERED...ACROSS THE NORTHERN HALF OF 
            HILLSDALE COUNTY  


0357 PM     TSTM WND DMG     2 E MONON               40.86N  86.84W
05/15/2007                   WHITE              IN   EMERGENCY MNGR  

            2 TREES DOWN JUST EAST OF MONON. ALSO REPORTED PEA SIZE 
            HAIL.  


0407 PM     TSTM WND DMG     LA PORTE                41.61N  86.71W
05/15/2007                   LA PORTE           IN   STORM CHASER    

            SEVERAL TREES AND POWERLINES DOWN AS WELL AS 65MPH GUST 
             


0420 PM     TSTM WND DMG     THORNHOPE               40.93N  86.53W
05/15/2007                   PULASKI            IN   EMERGENCY MNGR  

            SCATTERED REPORTS OF TREES AND POWER LINES DOWN ACROSS 
            THE SOUTHERN HALF OF PULASKI COUNTY  


0425 PM     MARINE TSTM WIND MICHIGAN CITY           41.71N  86.88W
05/15/2007  M50 MPH          LA PORTE           IN   C-MAN STATION   


0429 PM     TSTM WND DMG     LEITERS FORD            41.12N  86.39W
05/15/2007                   FULTON             IN   LAW ENFORCEMENT 

            A LARGE LIMB WAS BLOCKING THE ROAD NEAR LEITERS FORD. 
            THERE WAS ALSO ADDITIONAL REPORTS OF TREES DOWN ACROSS 
            THE NORTHWEST PART OF FULTON COUNTY.  


0430 PM     TSTM WND GST     LA PORTE                41.61N  86.71W
05/15/2007  M63 MPH          LA PORTE           IN   TRAINED SPOTTER 

            TREES AND FENCES DOWN.  


0430 PM     TSTM WND DMG     LEITERS FORD            41.12N  86.39W
05/15/2007                   FULTON             IN   EMERGENCY MNGR  

            2 TREES DOWN NEAR LEITERS FORD OVER 12 INCHES IN 
            DIAMETER  


0431 PM     TSTM WND GST     1 NW LA PORTE           41.62N  86.73W
05/15/2007  E60 MPH          LA PORTE           IN   LAW ENFORCEMENT 

            *** 1 INJ *** TREE FELL ONTO MOVING MOTORCYCLE PINNING 
            44 YEAR OLD MALE RIDER...SUFFERED A BROKEN LEG  


0441 PM     TORNADO          LA PORTE                41.61N  86.71W
05/15/2007                   LA PORTE           IN   EMERGENCY MNGR  

            TORNADO REPORTED ON THE GROUND BY A SPOTTER.  


0445 PM     TSTM WND DMG     BUCHANAN                41.83N  86.37W
05/15/2007                   BERRIEN            MI   LAW ENFORCEMENT 

            SEVERAL TREES AND POWER LINES ACROSS SOUTHEASTERN 
            BERRIEN COUNTY  


0445 PM     TSTM WND DMG     ARGOS                   41.24N  86.25W
05/15/2007                   MARSHALL           IN   LAW ENFORCEMENT 

            TREE UPROOTED IN ARGOS. SCATTERED REPORTS OF POWER 
            LINES AND TREES DOWN ACROSS ALL OF PULASKI COUNTY.  


0445 PM     TORNADO          1.4 S NEW CARLISLE      41.68N  86.51W
05/15/2007                   ST. JOSEPH         IN   NWS STORM SURVEY

            EF0 MAXIMUM WINDS AROUND 65 MPH. SOME DAMAGE TO TREE 
            TOPS. TOUCHDOWN WITNESSED BY PROPERTY OWNER.  


0449 PM     TSTM WND DMG     LA PORTE                41.61N  86.71W
05/15/2007                   LA PORTE           IN   TRAINED SPOTTER 

            MULTIPLE TREES AND POWER LINES DOWN IN AND AROUND LA 
            PORTE... WINDS ESTIMATED BETWEEN 65 TO 70 MPH  


0449 PM     TSTM WND DMG     2 S MEDARYVILLE         41.05N  86.89W
05/15/2007                   PULASKI            IN   LAW ENFORCEMENT 

            SEMI FLIPPED OVER NEAR THE INTERSECTION OF US421 AND 
            14.  


0452 PM     HAIL             3 NNW NAPPANEE          41.49N  86.01W
05/15/2007  M0.50 INCH       ELKHART            IN   NWS EMPLOYEE    


0454 PM     TORNADO          3 NW SOUTH BEND         41.71N  86.31W
05/15/2007                   ST. JOSEPH         IN   AMATEUR RADIO   

            TORNADO REPORTED ON THE GROUND  


0455 PM     TSTM WND DMG     BUCHANAN                41.83N  86.37W
05/15/2007                   BERRIEN            MI   LAW ENFORCEMENT 

            SEVERAL TREES AND POWER LINES ACROSS SOUTHEASTERN 
            BERRIEN COUNTY  


0458 PM     TORNADO          1 SW BURNETTSVILLE      40.75N  86.61W
05/15/2007                   WHITE              IN   COUNTY OFFICIAL 

            SMALL TORNADO OBSERVED BY CHIEF DEPUTY OVER OPEN 
            FIELD...NO DAMAGE  


0503 PM     TSTM WND DMG     2 N MONTICELLO          40.78N  86.76W
05/15/2007                   WHITE              IN   LAW ENFORCEMENT 

            SCATTERED REPORTS OF TREES AND POWER LINES DOWN.  


0510 PM     TSTM WND DMG     1 N MILFORD             41.42N  85.85W
05/15/2007                   KOSCIUSKO          IN   NWS EMPLOYEE    

            SEVERAL LARGE TREE BRANCHES DOWN.  


0512 PM     TSTM WND GST     5 S CULVER              41.15N  86.42W
05/15/2007  M59 MPH          FULTON             IN   AMATEUR RADIO   

            59MPH WIND MEASURED  


0515 PM     TSTM WND DMG     DOWAGIAC                41.98N  86.11W
05/15/2007                   CASS               MI   LAW ENFORCEMENT 

            SEVERAL TREES AND POWERLINES DOWN ACROSS CASS COUNTY  


0515 PM     TSTM WND DMG     LEITERS FORD            41.12N  86.39W
05/15/2007                   FULTON             IN   EMERGENCY MNGR  

            SEVERAL TREES GREATER THAN 12 INCHES IN DIAMETER DOWN  


0530 PM     TSTM WND DMG     LOGANSPORT              40.75N  86.36W
05/15/2007                   CASS               IN   EMERGENCY MNGR  

            MULTIPLE TREES AND POWERLINES DOWN.  


0530 PM     TSTM WND DMG     LOGANSPORT              40.75N  86.36W
05/15/2007                   CASS               IN   EMERGENCY MNGR  

            MULTIPLE HOMES WITH SHINGLE AND SIDING DAMAGE  


0530 PM     TSTM WND DMG     LOGANSPORT              40.75N  86.36W
05/15/2007                   CASS               IN   EMERGENCY MNGR  

            4 HOMES WITH TREES DOWN ON THEM. DAMAGE APPEARS TO BE 
            MINOR.  


0530 PM     TSTM WND DMG     LOGANSPORT              40.75N  86.36W
05/15/2007                   CASS               IN   EMERGENCY MNGR  

            1 CAR WITH TREE DOWN ON IT  


0530 PM     TSTM WND DMG     3 SE WAUSEON            41.52N  84.10W
05/15/2007                   FULTON             OH   LAW ENFORCEMENT 

            SEVERAL TREES DOWN  


0530 PM     TSTM WND DMG     1 W ROCHESTER           41.06N  86.21W
05/15/2007                   FULTON             IN   EMERGENCY MNGR  

            2 LARGE TREES 12 INCHES OR GREATER IN DIAMETER DOWN  


0540 PM     TSTM WND DMG     CENTREVILLE             41.92N  85.53W
05/15/2007                   ST. JOSEPH         MI   TRAINED SPOTTER 

            SEVERAL TREES AND POWERLINES DOWN  


0540 PM     TSTM WND DMG     ONTARIO                 41.70N  85.38W
05/15/2007                   LAGRANGE           IN   LAW ENFORCEMENT 

            SCATTERED REPORTS OF TREES AND POWER LINES DOWN ACROSS 
            THE NORTHERN PART OF LAGRANGE COUNTY.  


0545 PM     TSTM WND GST     1 S WARSAW              41.23N  85.85W
05/15/2007  E60 MPH          KOSCIUSKO          IN   NWS EMPLOYEE    

            WINDS ESTIMATED 50 TO 60 MPH  


0545 PM     TSTM WND DMG     PERU                    40.75N  86.07W
05/15/2007                   MIAMI              IN   LAW ENFORCEMENT 

            SCATTERED TREES AND POWERLINES DOWN ACROSS CENTRAL 
            MIAMI COUNTY AS WELL AS ESTIMATED WIND GUSTS TO 60MPH  


0545 PM     TSTM WND DMG     4 SE LEESBURG           41.29N  85.79W
05/15/2007                   KOSCIUSKO          IN   NWS EMPLOYEE    

            2 LARGE TREES...2 FEET IN DIAMETER...SNAPPED AND HIT 
            THE CORNER OF A HOUSE.  


0548 PM     TSTM WND GST     2.3 NE THREE RIVERS     41.97N  85.60W
05/15/2007  M68 MPH          ST. JOSEPH         MI   AWOS            

            *** 1 INJ *** TREE FELL ON CAR CAUSING MINOR INJURY TO 
            OCCUPANT  


0550 PM     TSTM WND DMG     3 W NORTH WEBSTER       41.33N  85.76W
05/15/2007                   KOSCIUSKO          IN   NWS EMPLOYEE    

            12 DIAMETER MAPLE TREE SNAPPED OFF AND FELL ON GARAGE 
            AND POWER LINES  


0610 PM     TSTM WND DMG     CENTREVILLE             41.92N  85.53W
05/15/2007                   ST. JOSEPH         MI   AMATEUR RADIO   

            LARGE TREE LIMBS DOWN ALONG WITH SOME STREET FLOODING  


0613 PM     TSTM WND DMG     ALBION                  41.40N  85.42W
05/15/2007                   NOBLE              IN   LAW ENFORCEMENT 

            NUMEROUS REPORTS OF TREES AND POWER LINES DOWN.  


0615 PM     TSTM WND DMG     AVILLA                  41.37N  85.24W
05/15/2007                   NOBLE              IN   LAW ENFORCEMENT 

            REPORTS OF TREES AND POWER LINES DOWN.  


0615 PM     TSTM WND DMG     KENDALLVILLE            41.44N  85.26W
05/15/2007                   NOBLE              IN   LAW ENFORCEMENT 

            REPORTS OF TREES AND POWER LINES DOWN.  


0615 PM     TSTM WND DMG     4 SE COLUMBIA CITY      41.12N  85.43W
05/15/2007                   WHITLEY            IN   PUBLIC          

            SILO CAP BLOWN OFF  


0626 PM     TSTM WND GST     5 S BRYAN               41.40N  84.55W
05/15/2007  E60 MPH          DEFIANCE           OH   AMATEUR RADIO   


0630 PM     TSTM WND DMG     3 SE WAUSEON            41.52N  84.10W
05/15/2007                   FULTON             OH   LAW ENFORCEMENT 

            SEVERAL TREES DOWN  


0633 PM     TSTM WND DMG     HILLSDALE               41.93N  84.64W
05/15/2007                   HILLSDALE          MI   EMERGENCY MNGR  

            SEVERAL ADDITIONAL LARGE TREES REPORTED DOWN ACROSS 
            NORTHWESTERN HILLSDALE COUNTY  


0640 PM     TSTM WND DMG     ST. JOE                 41.31N  84.90W
05/15/2007                   DE KALB            IN   EMERGENCY MNGR  

            2 POWER POLES SNAPPED OFF NEAR ST JOE  


0640 PM     TSTM WND DMG     ASHLEY                  41.53N  85.07W
05/15/2007                   DE KALB            IN   EMERGENCY MNGR  

            SEVERAL TREES DOWN NEAR ASHLEY  


0652 PM     TSTM WND DMG     HICKSVILLE              41.29N  84.77W
05/15/2007                   DEFIANCE           OH   AMATEUR RADIO   

            3FT DIAMETER TREE DOWN ON HOUSE  


0659 PM     TSTM WND DMG     3 N NAPOLEON            41.44N  84.13W
05/15/2007                   HENRY              OH   AMATEUR RADIO   

            POWERLINE DOWN ACROSS ROAD  


0700 PM     TSTM WND DMG     EDGERTON                41.45N  84.75W
05/15/2007                   WILLIAMS           OH   LAW ENFORCEMENT 

            LARGE TREES DOWN  


0727 PM     TSTM WND DMG     HICKSVILLE              41.29N  84.77W
05/15/2007                   DEFIANCE           OH   AMATEUR RADIO   

            LARGE TREE LIMB DOWN ACROSS ROAD  


0745 PM     TSTM WND DMG     OTTOVILLE               40.93N  84.34W
05/15/2007                   PUTNAM             OH   LAW ENFORCEMENT 

            TREES AND POWER LINES DOWN AROUND OTTOVILLE  


0755 PM     TSTM WND DMG     LEIPSIC                 41.10N  83.98W
05/15/2007                   PUTNAM             OH   LAW ENFORCEMENT 

            TREE DOWN ACROSS POWERLINE  


&&

$$

BJS

Straight Line Wind Damage in St. Joseph County, MI

2 lines of thunderstorms merged over St Joseph County Michigan and began to produce wind damage as the merger was underway. A storm survey was performed by NWS personnel of the area between Three Rivers and Mendon, including Fishers Lake. Damage was observed at the Three Rivers Muncipal Airport and at an adjacent residence to the airport. A hangar door was blown open at the airport, with 2 large tree trunks falling onto parked vehicles at a private residence. One of the vehicles had pulled into the driveway due to poor visbility, and before the driver could exit, the tree trunk fell onto the roof of the car, causing minor head injury to the driver. The Three Rivers AWOS (KHAI) recorded a 68 mph wind gust at 548 pm EDT. As the survey progressed along M-60 to some of the back roads, more extensive damage began to be encountered. A barn was found destroyed by a combination of the strong winds and a small shed being picked up and thrown into the barn. An adjacent barn also suffered moderate damage from the wind. Numerous trees limbs were snapped in the yard, as well as the chimney of the 2 story residence being blown over to roof level. Just to the north of this residence a large grove of various hardwood trees suffered extensive damage with many trees being uprooted or snapped. The sandy soil in the area reduced the resistance of the roots somewhat. A residence as well as a barn suffered only minor damage despite the estimated 90 to 95 mph winds. KIWX 88D Base velocity data showed a couplet with 82 kt (94 mph) outbound winds in this general area. Damge continued northeast towards Mendon where trees continued to be damaged. 2 barns were also reported to have been destroyed, but due to time constraints the survey stopped before reaching Mendon.

With the strength of the winds, it is possible that a few gust front tornadoes (gustnadoes) may have developed and helped locally focus some of the damage, but by far the strength of the straight line winds was more significant then the potential winds of any gustnadoes.

EF0 Tornado and Straight Line Wind Damage in St. Joseph County, IN

An EF0 tornado passed just south of New Carlisle, IN in St. Joseph County. The damage path was found to be very narrow starting at Timothy Road and extending eastward along Fillmore Road. The tornado was confirmed based off of a swath of damaged tree tops (location #2), a few 2 X 4 wood projectiles wedged into the ground (location #4), and 2 eyewitness accounts of the tornado. This EF0 tornado contained winds of up to 65 mph, and likely skipped across the ground before lifting just past the Walnut Rd/Fillmore Rd intersection (location #4).

In addition to tornado damage, straight line wind damage of near 60 to 70 mph was found along Fillmore Road (near location #3). Damage to a storage shed was found including a missing roof top and damaged wood supports along the side of the structure. If it hadn't have been for the concrete silo on the east wall providing support, the building might have suffered much more damage. Other straight line wind damage in the area included an overturned irrigation segment, and numerous downed trees and power lines. While most homes in the area were untouched, a few did have some minor damage.

Straight Line Wind Damage in Kosciusko County, IN

A fast moving outflow boundary with wind speeds of 60 to 70 raced from Marshall county into western Kosciusko County. A house suffered damage to a add on room where the shingles were peeled off and thrown into the yard. Tree damage was then found as you moved northeast towards the town of Milford along with sporadic power lines down. Several trees, tree limbs and power lines were down within the town of Milford with a few streets closed due to blocked or unsafe roadways. Other damage from the event included a partially rotten tree that fell into a parked van, destroying the back half of the van and lifting the front right wheel off the ground several inches.

Lammers/Fisher 5/19/07