1980 Kalamazoo tornado facts for kids

Tornado damage in Bronson Park.

The 1980 Kalamazoo tornado was a powerful natural disaster that hit Michigan in the United States on May 13, 1980. This event caused a lot of damage and affected many people in the city of Kalamazoo.

What Happened on May 13, 1980?

The day started with cool temperatures and fog. But by the afternoon, the weather changed quickly. Around 3:00 p.m., a warm air mass moved into the area. This caused strong thunderstorms to start forming.

How the Tornado Formed

By 3:30 p.m., one thunderstorm grew very strong. Because of this, the National Weather Service, which watches the weather, sent out a special alert called a severe thunderstorm warning. This warning tells people that dangerous weather is coming.

The first tornado touched down around 3:40 p.m. It lasted for about ten minutes. This tornado didn't cause any deaths, but it did injure 25 people.

The Main Tornado Hits Kalamazoo

Soon after the first tornado disappeared, an even stronger storm called a "supercell thunderstorm" created a new, more powerful tornado. This new tornado moved right into Kalamazoo. News reporters in the city were able to capture the first images of it.

As the tornado moved through the city, it caused its first death. It then moved into downtown Kalamazoo. An employee at an electronics store saw the tornado and quickly ran to the basement for safety. The tornado was seen moving southeast, tearing through homes and pulling trees out of the ground.

The Tornado's Impact and Aftermath

Sadly, this powerful tornado caused more deaths as it moved through downtown. Three more people died, including two at Gilmore's Apartment Store and a motorcyclist who was hit by a falling tree. The tornado then moved into Constock Township, where it caused one more death before finally disappearing.

In total, the 1980 Kalamazoo tornado was responsible for 5 deaths and injured 79 people. It also caused a lot of damage, estimated at $50,000,000. This huge storm left about 1,200 people without homes.

Images for kids

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  Map of the tornado path.