High Wind — Oakland, Michigan

2006-03-13 to 2006-03-14 · Oakland, Michigan

Wider weather episode

A very deep low pressure system moved northeast across northern Lake Michigan early on the evening of the 13th. Damaging winds sustained from 30 to 40 MPH with frequent gusts over 50 MPH began during the late afternoon of the 13th and continued until 0300 EST on the 14th. The combination of the strong winds and a saturated ground led to large trees being uprooted across the entire area. Many homes and other structures received wind damage to the roofs and windows. The hardest hit areas extended along and north of the M59 corridor. A large Oak tree fell onto a moving Ford F-150 pick-up truck at 1436 EST on Sherwood Road in Brandon. The tree crushed the cab of the truck killing a 25 year old male passenger. Another passenger (female) and the driver (male) were seriously injured. Four students sustained minor injuries (indirect) when the school bus they were riding in ran over a felled tree limb on Detroit's east side. Part of the limb shattered a few of the windows of the bus sending glass shards into the eyes and hair of the four students. Here are some of the highest wind gusts recorded at official weather stations across the region: Saginaw (Saginaw) 53 MPHNWS White Lake (Oakland) 52 MPHAdrian (Lenawee) 48 MPHFlint (Genesee) 47 MPHDetroit Metro (Wayne) 47 MPHNote: Estimates from spotters in combination with the amount of damage, suggested wind speeds approaching 60 MPH at times.

Source: NOAA Storm Events Database, event_id 5490521. Narrative written by the NWS forecast office that issued the report.