Area under severe thunderstorm warning, chance of tornados

Mason County and surrounding areas are under a severe thunderstorm warning right now until 2:45 p.m. The area is also under a tornado watch until 8 p.m. There is also a risk of straight line winds, which are characteristic of tornadoes.

“Citizens should seek shelter in an interior room on the lowest level of their house,” said Mason County Emergency Coordinator Liz Reimink. “If they are outdoor, they should be aware of small trees, limbs or debris being blown around.”

Sirens in Scottville and Ludington will warn residents of tornado. However, they have to be manually set. Keep an eye on MCP for updates.

THE NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE IN GRAND RAPIDS HAS ISSUED A

* SEVERE THUNDERSTORM WARNING FOR… LAKE COUNTY IN WEST CENTRAL MICHIGAN… MASON COUNTY IN WEST CENTRAL MICHIGAN… MUSKEGON COUNTY IN WEST CENTRAL MICHIGAN… NEWAYGO COUNTY IN WEST CENTRAL MICHIGAN… OCEANA COUNTY IN WEST CENTRAL MICHIGAN…

* UNTIL 245 PM EST

* AT 145 PM EST… SEVERE THUNDERSTORMS WERE LOCATED ALONG A LINE EXTENDING FROM LAKE MICHIGAN RECREATION AREA TO 8 MILES WEST OF LITTLE POINT SABLE TO 62 MILES WEST OF DUCK LAKE STATE PARK… AND MOVING NORTHEAST AT 35 MPH.

HAZARD… QUARTER SIZE HAIL AND 60 MPH WIND GUSTS.

SOURCE… RADAR INDICATED.

IMPACT… HAIL DAMAGE TO VEHICLES IS EXPECTED. EXPECT WIND DAMAGE TO ROOFS… SIDING AND TREES.

* SEVERE THUNDERSTORMS WILL BE NEAR… VICTORY TWP AROUND 200 PM EST. PENTWATER AND SUMMIT TWP AROUND 205 PM EST. FREESOIL AND SCOTTVILLE AROUND 215 PM EST. CUSTER AND FOUNTAIN AROUND 225 PM EST. MEADE TWP AROUND 230 PM EST. WALHALLA AROUND 240 PM EST.

THE WARNING INCLUDES AREAS SURROUNDING THESE LOCATIONS… PENTWATER… NEWAYGO… MUSKEGON… LUDINGTON… BALDWIN… SHELBY… BITELY… FREMONT… WHITE CLOUD… WHITEHALL… FREESOIL… IRONS… LUTHER… SILVER LAKE STATE PARK… CRYSTAL VALLEY… FERRY… ELBRIDGE… MEARS…

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS…

FOR YOUR PROTECTION MOVE TO AN INTERIOR ROOM ON THE LOWEST FLOOR OF A BUILDING.

&&

HAIL… 1.00IN WIND… 60MPH

Weather alerts are sponsored by Superior Electric of Ludington: www.supelectric.com.