The National Weather Service in Detroit has officially confirmed an EF-1 tornado in Freeland earlier Tuesday afternoon, touching down at 1:11 PM and lifting around 1:14 PM. The storm brought peak winds of about 90 MPH, leaving roof damage, siding impacts, tree
For just three minutes, the weather moved fast enough to rewrite the afternoon for Freeland residents.
The National Weather Service in Detroit, with assistance from Saginaw County Emergency Management, has officially confirmed an EF-1 tornado that touched down in Freeland from earlier Tuesday afternoon. It hit at 1:11 PM and lifted around 1:14 PM.
The tornado was estimated to have reached peak winds of 90 MPH. Damage survey details place the touchdown just south of the Freeland Road, Washington Road, and Webster Road intersection. From there, the storm left roof damage to several structures just south of Freeland and Washington.
As it moved north-northwest, it struck additional homes between Freeland and Sarle roads, where residents reported siding and minor roof damage. Homes along Sarle Road and near Prairie View Court were hit hardest.
In at least one case, part of a roof was lost. More siding damage followed, along with destruction of a shed/outbuilding. Garage doors were blown in as the tornado continued, and several areas of tree damage were recorded.
The impact wasn’t limited to fixed structures. Even a few RV’s and campers were flipped over and moved.
Officials say 30 to 40 homes had some level of damage.
The confirmed path, according to the survey, was about 1.44 miles long and roughly 100 yards wide—quick, narrow, and still powerful enough to turn a neighborhood into a recovery scene in less than half an hour, starting with a touchdown only minutes after 1:00 PM.
EF-1 tornado Freeland Michigan National Weather Service Saginaw County Emergency Management 90 MPH winds Freeland Road Washington Road Webster Road Prairie View Court Sarle Road
90 mph tornado is basically a disaster movie, wow.
So it touched down for like 3 minutes but did all that damage?? That seems kinda exaggerated. I swear I read somewhere it was like straight-line winds not a real tornado.
My cousin said it hit near Freeland Rd and then somehow over to Sarle, but the article says north-northwest so idk. Also EF-1 sounds small compared to the others but the roof stuff and flipped RVs is wild. Hope everyone has insurance cause 30-40 homes is a lot.
EF-1… but 90 mph and 100 yards wide like come on, that’s still terrifying. The “quick narrow path” thing makes it sound almost lucky? Like if you were on the wrong street you’re toast. I saw people on Facebook say it was at 1:15ish which matches, so maybe the storm just decided to cut through like a knife. Anyway, prayers, but also where were the warnings for folks south of Freeland Road?