Midwest Storm Cleanup Begins
Storm cleanup is under way in parts of Michigan Tuesday after strong storms barreled through central area of the state, dumping heavy rain, downing trees and knocking out power to thousands of people. One person was killed.
An estimated 150,000 homes and business were without power at the peak of Monday's storms, which also struck the Detroit Metropolitan Airport and cut electricity to the United Parcel Service, Signature Flight Support and Mesaba Airlines.
Winds up to 115 mph knocked down a new home in Wyoming, Mich., killing a man inside. Another worker who was trapped for an hour was in fair condition at a Grand Rapids hospital.
High winds, hail and rain pelted Lansing, Mich., snapping utility poles built to withstand 100-mph winds along Interstate 496.
In Hillsdale, police officer Ted Brendel says lightning started a small fire in the attic roof of the city's community hospital. All 65 patients were evacuated with no injuries.
Hospital officials say there's smoke and water damage throughout the building, but emergency services and some outpatient services are open.
Near Lansing, nine utility poles snapped in half along Interstate 496, closing the freeway.
Lansing schools canceled all classes today for public schools.
Consumers Energy spokesman Kevin Keane says customers are without power in Grand Rapids, Battle Creek, Jackson and Lansing. Most should have their lights back by Tuesday night.
In northeastern Iowa, residents of Manchester headed for home as swollen streams and creaks began to recede after heavy rain. Five counties in the state were declared disaster areas following weekend storms blamed for at least two deaths an at least a dozen injuries.
About 200 people were evacuated from Manchester and power was shut off in the downtown area Monday afternoon after rising water began to eat away at the Quaker Mill dam on the Maquoketa River. Some residents were allowed to return several hours later.
In Independence, Iowa, only the tops of street signs remained visible. Roofs of homes remained visible, though water was midway up the sides of first floors.
Some areas near the Turkey River in Clayton County reportedly received up to 7 inches of rain Sunday, and the city of Elkport had its water supply contaminated by flooding. The state was sending bottled water to the area.
On Monday, severe weather threatened and a thunderstorm watch was issued for northern Texas and southern Oklahoma. It warned of the possibility of large hail, damaging winds and dangerous lightning in those areas.
But on Sunday, it was the small town of Logan, Iowa, that was particularly hard hit, reports Andy Roesgen of CBS Omaha affiliate KMTV.
At the Iowa Welcome Center in Logan, off Highway 30, there was a lot of damage including downed trees and trees split in half.
The real danger came in flying farm equipment. In fact, in Harrison County, the two people killed died when a piece of a combine hit their car. And, mobile home was picked up and taken away.
Besides the two deaths, about six homes were destroyed. In one home that was heavily damaged, the family was holding a graduation party for 40 Logan high school students. Reportedly, one of those killed was the mother of one of this year's high school graduates.
Logan is about 20 miles northeast of Omaha, Neb.
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