National Weather Service rates Cass County tornado as EF1

CASS COUNTY, Mich. (WSBT 22) — Two tornadoes ripped through southwest Michigan Tuesday evening, leaving behind a path of damage.

The National Weather Service surveyed the damage Wednesday and confirms an EF1 tornado touched down in Cass County.

• Peak Wind: 95 MPH
• Path Width: 950 Yards
• Path Length: 11.83 miles

Tornadoes are rated based off how severe of damage they cause:

• EF-0: Minor damage (ie: Missing shingles off roof, broken tree branches, small trees uprooted)
• EF-1: Moderate damage (ie: Significant roof damage, broken windows, overturned mobile homes)
• EF-2: Considerable damage (ie: Roofs torn off homes, buildings shifted off foundations, large trees uprooted, tossed cars)
• EF-3: Severe damage (ie: Destroyed stories, homes on weak foundations blown away, trees lose bark)
• EF-4: Extreme damage (ie: Leveled homes, cars tossed long distances)
• EF-5: Catastrophic damage (ie: Homes reduced to just the concrete foundation, trees completely de-barked, steel reinforced buildings significantly damaged)

Governor Gretchen Whitmer (D) has declared a state of emergency for both Cass and St. Joseph Counties.

The survey team will be finalizing their data in St. Joseph County on May 9.