SAGINAW, Mich. — Two tornadoes touched down in Saginaw County late Tuesday night, damaging homes, barns and outbuildings in Albee Township and near Bridgeport as residents began cleanup across parts of the county Wednesday.
The more damaging storm was an EF-1 tornado in Albee Township. It touched down at 11:53 p.m. April 14 near West Birch Run and Amman roads, tracked northeast for nearly 4 miles and lifted at 11:58 p.m. near Fosters. Peak winds reached 105 mph, and the tornado’s maximum width was 880 yards.
The heaviest damage was concentrated along Bishop Road near Alicia Road, where multiple pine and hardwood trees were snapped or uprooted, two outbuildings were destroyed, several silos were knocked down and at least four homes were damaged, including one that lost most of its roof. In Albee Township alone, nine properties had structures damaged or destroyed.
A second tornado, rated EF-0, touched down at 12:06 a.m. April 15 near Roedel and South Reimer roads northwest of Bridgeport. It remained on the ground for about two minutes and traveled roughly a half-mile before lifting south of Roedel Road between South Reimer and Maple roads. Peak winds were estimated at 80 mph. Two barns lost most of their roofing, siding was torn from a nearby house, and trees were uprooted or heavily damaged.
No deaths or injuries were reported from either tornado. In Albee Township, residents spent Wednesday sorting through debris and assessing what could be repaired or rebuilt. The fire chief directed anyone needing assistance to contact the township fire department for help connecting with the Red Cross.
The storms were part of a broader severe weather system that swept across Michigan. On Wednesday, Gov. Gretchen Whitmer declared a state of emergency in 32 counties as flooding, straight-line winds and tornado damage affected communities across the state.
