Tornado/Straight Line Winds Damage- Battle Creek, MI

Video footage I shot when I went back to my hometown of Battle Creek, MI on Memorial Day 2011.

A terrible storm had just hit the night before...It looked like a warzone.

Towards the middle of the video is where you see the worst of the damage.

My thoughts with all those who are suffering through the destruction. I wish you a swift recovery.

Category:

News & Politics

Tags:

• Storm
• Tornado
• Battle Creek
• Michigan
• Wind
• Trees
• Power Outage
• Damage
• Destruction
• Weather
• Lightning
• Rain

[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!

[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.

[firetrout123]

@KyleighThompson93 yep

[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!

[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....