Cleaning up after the storm.

Storm damage on Maple Road near Emerson Lake in Branch Township.

Road Commission cleaning up debris on First Street in Walhalla.

Cleaning up after the storm.

By Rob Alway, Editor-in-Chief.

Crews from utility companies have been in the area attempting to restore power to Mason County residents while crews from the Mason County Road Commission, and local departments of public works have been out clearing roads and streets from debris, following Tuesday night’s storm.

The storm came across Lake Michigan and hit landfall about 6:45 p.m. It was the third storm to hit Mason County in as many nights.

The most effected areas appear to have been in the City of Ludington, Hamlin Township, the City of Scottville, Custer Township, Eden Township, Sherman Township, Sheridan Township and Branch Township. Properties along US 10, east of Walhalla were covered in fallen trees up to the county line.

Benson Road north of Hansen Road in Branch Township.

Joe Knowles, vice president of Smith & Eddy Insurance, said he began working about 7 p.m. Tuesday night and has spent most of the morning visiting customers throughout the county. Scott Smith, president of Smith & Eddy, said adjusters representing the company’s various insurance providers, have been at the Smith & Eddy offices working on claims. Among the most dramatic claims was the destruction of several pig barns owned by Jake Zwagerman on Schoenherr Road in Branch Township. Zwagerman said he called Knowles shortly after the storm hit. The barns contained over 3,000 pigs.

Liz Reimink, Mason County emergency management coordinator, said her office began assisting Mason-Oceana 911 about 8 p.m., which had been inundated with 100s of calls as the struck both Mason and Oceana counties. Reimink said her office acted as a liaison between the utility companies and road crews and the dispatch center, coordinating clean up efforts.

Reimink added that representatives from the National Weather Service were expected to be in the area later today to access the damage.