Is This Devasting Northern Michigan ‘Ice Storm’ Being Overlooked?

Spring has been off to a wild start with headline-making severe weather across the country. There have reportedly been around 215 tornadoes already around the country this season, far more than the 95 usually seen in March. Michigan's 10 tornadoes that touched down on March 30th were a shocking and freak storm that spread across much of lower Michigan, killing three children.

Tornado footage not in Michigan, but part of the same storm network.

But while that was happening, other parts of Michigan were experiencing severe weather. All of southern Michigan was under severe thunderstorm watches, but somehow, a more surprising weather event outside of 10 tornadoes at once was happening in the North: a bizarre ice storm two weeks into Spring that has left most of the region powerless and out of gas.

However, it feels like the news of this disaster has been overlooked compared to many other news stories happening around the country. Between the news of tariffs and catastrophic flooding in the south, the reported 30,000 people without power across northern Michigan have been swept under the rug. Not to say one disaster is worse than the other, but hearing about an ice storm in Michigan doesn't sound as out of the ordinary as tornadoes, and that may lead people not to realize the full extent of this storm.

Iced Out?

Governor Whitmer declared a state of emergency for 17 counties, and help from around the state rushed to assist those in need. Ice so heavy that trees are snapping from the weight, power lines have collapsed, and the Mackinac Bridge was closed due to falling ice. Many have been forced to seek shelter in warming shelters.

READ MORE: Revisiting Michigan’s Snowstorms That Made History |

While the northern counties are used to winter weather, this storm happened two weeks into spring, when these types of storms don't typically take place, making it all the more dangerous. This season in particular has one of the worst on record, with Gaylord experiencing its most snowfall of all time.

Some photos from this morning taken between 131 and I75 around Lat 45. Lost power at 6PM yesterday, still waiting for updates of an eta
byu/Slowclimberboi inMichigan

The damage from this storm is unprecedented, and the real damage may not be seen until the ice has melted, but this brutal storm is ongoing, even if it feels like it isn't getting the attention it deserves.