Confirmed Tornado South of Grand Rapids, MI — Brennan Prill

Published on April 11, 2021

April 10th, 2021
Timeline of Severe Weather in West Michigan

Severe Thunderstorm Warning including Grand Rapids MI, Wyoming MI, Kentwood MI until 5:15 PM EDT pic.twitter.com/DffJpv7cCT
— NWS Grand Rapids (@NWSGrandRapids) April 10, 2021

4:30 PM.
I headed out to Grand Rapids driving towards warned storm.

4:51 PM.
Joel Fritsma (@Joel_Fritsma) sees possible rotation on radar and alerts storm chasers group chat.

“Trying to figure out whether or not we had a brief spinup south of Cutlerville, so I’m checking previous data right now. Small patch of power outages lines up almost perfectly with the strongest rotation” – Joel

Joel address? I’ll head over there – Brennan

Anywhere in the square mile of 100th, Kalamazoo Ave. 84th, and Division Ave – Joel

Joel creates possible path from velocity imagery

5:10 PM.
I arrived at location of possible tornado damage.

Spoke to a homeowner who captured the storm on security camera before the power went out in Byron Center. He said "A small tornado definitely ripped through here". I asked him to send me the video so stand by for that! @NWSGrandRapids @WOODTV #wmiwx pic.twitter.com/LI03Kw3RmT
— Brennan Prill ⚡︎ (@WxBrenn) April 10, 2021

Security camera footage captures a brief spin up in Byron Center. I spoke to several home owners who were out picking up debris — one gentlemen said he had to go get his lawn chairs that were blown several houses down.

Thanks to Mike Gorman who sent this video to me. @WOODTV pic.twitter.com/N1XGEgaPGy
— Brennan Prill ⚡︎ (@WxBrenn) April 10, 2021

A southern Kent County neighborhood was littered with debris and several homes were damaged after storms blew through West Michigan this afternoon. I spoke with @WOODTV on what I saw while out storm spotting. #wmiwx pic.twitter.com/gkYgTwMKET
— Brennan Prill ⚡︎ (@WxBrenn) April 11, 2021

NEW VIDEO: Mike Gorman the homeowner who shared his security camera footage with me earlier has sent me new footage from different angles.

He mentions "Yes… that is the same cushion!" #wmiwx pic.twitter.com/JaKGUtgDrZ
— Brennan Prill ⚡︎ (@WxBrenn) April 11, 2021

Heading out this morning to do some drone surveying of the damage path out in Byron Center. Will post with details this afternoon. #wmiwx pic.twitter.com/1ODdRJSFsA
— Brennan Prill ⚡︎ (@WxBrenn) April 11, 2021

April 11th, 2021
Went back out to location with my drone to independent surveying of the area.

Thunderstorms moved through West Michigan on Saturday afternoon, April 10. Here is what we know so far: https://t.co/cyOCTDBrQV #miwx #wmiwx pic.twitter.com/qYq9Tgps7Y
— NWS Grand Rapids (@NWSGrandRapids) April 11, 2021

NWS thoughts on possible tornado

The NWS in Grand Rapids has completed a survey of damage in southern Kent County south of Cutlerville and east of byron center, in Gaines Township. A very small, brief, and weak tornado touched down in the preservation lakes subdivision, causing damage to 6 to 12 homes. #wmiwx pic.twitter.com/ExBn2oLc7b
— Brennan Prill ⚡︎ (@WxBrenn) April 11, 2021

The NWS Grand Rapids damage survey in southern Kent County today has determined that a small and brief EF0 tornado touched down Saturday afternoon. #miwx #wmiwx pic.twitter.com/iKs6lnvnQT
— NWS Grand Rapids (@NWSGrandRapids) April 11, 2021

Sources:

Joel Fritsma Twitter – Storm Chaser (Goon Chasers Group)

The National Weather Service in Grand Rapids Michigan has concluded their survey from southern Kent County following yesterday's storms. A brief EF-0 tornado occurred in the Preservation Lakes Subdivision S of Cutlerville in Gaines Township, yesterday around 4:18pm! #wmiwx #miwx pic.twitter.com/CvJkat1QAG
— Joel Fritsma ⚡️ (@Joel_Fritsma) April 11, 2021

NWS: EF-0 tornado responsible for damage near GR

April 10th, 2021Timeline of Severe Weather in West Michigan

4:30 PM.I headed out to Grand Rapids driving towards warned storm.

4:51 PM.Joel Fritsma (@Joel_Fritsma) sees possible rotation on radar and alerts storm chasers group chat.

5:10 PM.I arrived at location of possible tornado damage.

April 11th, 2021Went back out to location with my drone to independent surveying of the area.

Community Comments

April 10th, 2021
Timeline of Severe Weather in West Michigan

4:30 PM.
I headed out to Grand Rapids driving towards warned storm.

4:51 PM.
Joel Fritsma (@Joel_Fritsma) sees possible rotation on radar and alerts storm chasers group chat.

5:10 PM.
I arrived at location of possible tornado damage.

April 11th, 2021
Went back out to location with my drone to independent surveying of the area.