LIVINGSTON COUNTY — Livingston County escaped the worst of Thursday’s thunderstorms, but the area did see some downed trees and wires, as well as light structural damage, according to Director of Emergency Management Therese Cremonte.
While a funnel cloud was reported in Howell, the department is still trying to get confirmation from the National Weather Service, according to Cremonte, who said sirens started at 12:01 a.m. and lasted until 12:45 a.m.
That frustrated some locals, who were disturbed by the frequent noise.
“Our policy is, if there’s a funnel cloud sighted or a tornado warning in effect, the sirens will go off for the duration of that warning,” Cremonte said.
“That’s because we want as many people as possible to be warned. I know that was a long warning last night, but we wanted to make sure that everybody had the opportunity to not only hear, but to take cover.”
Sirens are especially helpful for senior residents in Livingston County who often don’t use cell phones, and in the case of overnight storms, when most residents are already asleep.
It was the second thunderstorm of the season in Livingston County. Last year saw several damaging storms and, in 2023, a tornado entered Fowlerville from Williamston.
“We always have potential (for storms) in Michigan,” Cremonte said. “It’s a humid, warm environment in the summer and we have plenty of cold fronts that come in, and that’s just a recipe for storms.”
Cremonte advises residents to sign up for free weather alerts from multiple sources, including the existing alert system in Livingston County.
She also encourages residents to make emergency plans, share them with family members and take part in statewide tornado drills.
— Contact reporter Tess Ware at tware@livingstondaily.com.
