A Look at Storm Damage After Severe Weather Rocks Metro Detroit

Severe thunderstorms that rolled through Michigan Wednesday (4/17) left a trail of destruction in Metro Detroit. The city of Ferndale was hit particularly hard.

Power Outages Throughout Southeast Michigan

As of 10 pm Wednesday, more than 11,000 DTE Energy customers were without power due to strong winds that uprooted trees and damaged power lines. By Thursday morning, that number had been whittled down just over 2,000 homes.

Wind gusts exceeding 60 miles per hour were reported throughout the area.

Extensive Damage in Ferndale, Michigan

In the video below, you'll see extensive property damage throughout the city of Ferndale. WJBK-TV reports that many residents of an apartment complex were displaced after the roof of one building was partially blown off.

Cynthia Watkins is a resident in the building. She tells the TV station that she initially thought the building had exploded.

"Blew the roof off. I never seen anything like it," she said. "I went upstairs to the 5th floor, and the lady was coming out of the apartment, and the ceiling just started falling on her head."

 

Multiple Businesses Damaged

An antique shop on Hilton Road in Ferndale also sustained damage to its roof. Detroit's WXYZ-TV reports that much of that building's roof was blown off, leaving water pouring into the business.

On Vesper Street, there was extensive damage to the Voyager restaurant. An employee tells the TV outlet that he was on his way to work when the storm wreaked havoc on the building.

"Half the roof blew, air conditioner blew off, stuff all over everybody's car," he said

As of Wednesday evening there were no reports of death or injuries due to the storm.