Tornado/Straight Line Winds Damage- Battle Creek, MI

[vixenaya]

Battle Creek is my hometown as well. Actually attended Valley View, Verona, and Washington Elementary schools. (Valley View and Washington no longer exist.) I was there a couple days after the storm hit and I saw a lot of unbelievable damage. Power poles were down and power had yet to be restored to certain areas. I was very relieved that the storm did not do much damage to the Urbandale area, that is where my mother, grandmother, and aunt live.

[cjmyers513]

Watching the video is a lot different than being in it. That Uncle Ed's Oil Shoppe that was shown...I'm the manager of that Shoppe and I was there the whole time. Not a good day.

[KyleighThompson93]

@cjmyers513

WOW, you were there during the storm? How terrifying!!

For me, it was scary just driving through it after the fact, I can't imagine being directly caught in it.

My thoughts are with you and your shop.

[breezeesjeb]

AC/DC rocks! This video with the music playing really hit me the most. Thanks for the video, I stayed home for two days straight so I haven't seen much of the destruction around town.

[KyleighThompson93]

@breezeesjeb

No problem, thank you for the nice words! :)

[VillageThinking]

Thanks for sharing the video, I've been doing a lot of photography, but I haven't had time for video as well. From what I've see around town, Wattles Park and the Post Addition were hardest hit and most devastated.

[KyleighThompson93]

@VillageThinking

I heard that Wattles Park got hit hard, but I didn't get a chance to go down that way.

Columbia was messed up, as well, and down by 24th street and Sunnyside Dr and Honey Ln and Kellwood Ln was hit pretty bad.

So much devastation, my thoughts and well wishes are with all who were affected!

[tamara719]

Talked to my Mom today as I had no clue. My son said Chicago was hard hit as well. At least there are basements in MI. Not here in Texas. Scarey. We had 3 come thru the DFW area last week lasting or 2 1/2 hours. Wow was I tense...$1800. damage to my car. Roof damage...lucky, very lucky....

[KyleighThompson93]

@tamara719

I know, it seems like the whole country is just getting pummeled!!

My mom lived in Arkansas as a kid where they didn't have basements either...she said they went to the hallway or bathroom and her mom would put a mattress on top of them! I can't even imagine! How scary!

[firetrout123]

OMG my friend was in this her school was ripped apart and she has no school for like a while :(

[KyleighThompson93]

@firetrout123

Yikes!! Was her school Wattles Park by any chance? I know that school got pretty beat up...lost the roof and everything.

[firetrout123]

@KyleighThompson93 yep



[FirstAidmost]

All the houses look to be built tough

[KyleighThompson93]

@FirstAidmost

Very true...Luckily, most houses that were damaged are very repairable.

However, down around Sunnyside Dr and Honey Ln and Kellwood, some houses were totaled...My parents own their own real estate company and one of the houses they manage is completely ruined...Giant trees just fell right on top of the house, 10 foot hole in the roof. Even the cars in the driveway were totaled. Crazy stuff.

[Hossflex]

While the storm was going on I was getting married @ McCamily plaza. It was crazy.

[KyleighThompson93]

@Hossflex

Wow!! I can't even imagine!

What was that like? Probably chaos!!

However, congrats on getting married! :)

[mrrothier100]

don't you think the video is a little bit upbeat?!

also, AD/CD?!

[KyleighThompson93]

@mrrothier100

Ohh, Zacharyyy.

People need to be upbeat, have hope! The Governor declared a state of emergency for Battle Creek, so they'll be getting help more quickly now. We should be happy no one was seriously injured...we can replace things, but not people.

And, don't even try to hate on AC/DC! Don't even.