Unseasonable temperatures and gorgeous skies Wednesday morning gave way to ominous clouds, severe weather and funnel clouds by early evening.
Two funnel clouds were spotted southwest of Lansing near Dimondale about 7 p.m. The National Weather Service issued a tornado warning for Ingham County and surrounding areas until 7:45 p.m, catching many students unaware of what was going on.
Psychology junior Lynn Kukla was just getting out of class in Bessey Hall when the warning went out. She found out about the warning when the food vendors in the Crossroads Food Court closed early for the night.
“I didn’t even know there was a tornado warning, I walked in the pouring rain from Bessey Hall to the International Center,” Kukla said. “All the TVs had MTV on - finally the staff told us we could go to the shelter if we wanted to.”
A strong cold front made its way through the Mid-Michigan area about 6:30 p.m., bringing with it high winds, thunderous rain and tornadoes. The National Weather Service in Grand Rapids said there were numerous watches and warnings issued throughout the area.
Meteorologist Mark Sekelsky said there was ongoing severe weather Wednesday with the advance of the cold front, resulting in heavy rain and tornadoes.
“We issued quite a few watches,” Sekelsky said. “We had an unusual situation, where all the ingredients came together at the same time, it’s not very often we see the ingredients come together like this at this time of year.”
At the Michigan State Police Headquarters, 714 S. Harrison Ave., high winds knocked down at least three round-roofed storage units and caused a gas leak.
The intense winds from the storm spread tree branches and debris around the area, closing off streets in the East Lansing area.
“Due to all the winds and rain, we were prepared (for a tornado),” said East Lansing fire Capt. Mark Galat. “They city was taken care of. The campus was taken care of. This is what we do.”
Students living on Louis Street shined flashlights outside their house, tempted to play in a large puddle - but were wary of the downed power lines.
“I’m pretty pissed,” said kinesiology junior Craig Miller. “All I wanted to do was come home and enjoy my Wacky Wednesday pizza, and instead I’m standing out here in the dark - and I’m still missing SportsCenter.”
But houses weren’t the only places disrupted.
About 7 p.m. businesses in Trowbridge Plaza lost power as a result of the storm.
Jimmy Raad, manager of Woody’s Oasis, 970 Trowbridge Road, had to shut down until power was restored.
“We have no refrigerator and no lights,” Raad said.
Goodrich’s Shop-Rite, 940 Trowbridge Road, also stopped operating when the electricity failed, Raad said.
A charity haunted house had to be postponed after the storm hit.
“The wind came through the house, it took two people to close the door and our decorations are three blocks away,” said Derek Eckerly, a marketing senior and president of Phi Kappa Tau fraternity house, 243 Louis St.
The fraternity was trying to raise money from ticket sales for the American Red Cross.
But the cause will not be forgotten, said co-philanthropy chairman John Young.
“The only damage was done to the deck, but this was only a warm-up night,” the natural science junior said. “We are being optimistic, the cause is far from lost.”
The haunted house will run for three more days.
Some watches and warnings will continue through today and this evening. A high wind warning will remain in effect through today and likely tonight with sustained wind speeds gradually increasing and possible gusts up to 60 mph.
