Katy Snodgrass/Huron Daily Tribune
Katy Snodgrass/Huron Daily Tribune
Katy Snodgrass/Huron Daily Tribune
Katy Snodgrass/Huron Daily Tribune
Katy Snodgrass/Huron Daily Tribune
Katy Snodgrass/Huron Daily Tribune
Katy Snodgrass/Huron Daily Tribune
Katy Snodgrass/Huron Daily Tribune
Katy Snodgrass/Huron Daily Tribune
Katy Snodgrass/Huron Daily Tribune
Katy Snodgrass/Huron Daily Tribune
Katy Snodgrass/Huron Daily Tribune
Katy Snodgrass/Huron Daily Tribune
A powerful storm swept through Huron County Sunday night, triggering severe thunderstorm warnings and leaving some residents to deal with property damage.
While many initially suspected a tornado caused the damage, the Detroit National Weather Service office confirmed Monday morning that no tornadoes were reported in the area and that straight-line winds were responsible.
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Among those affected is Bad Axe resident Michael Affholter, owner of Michael J’s Design Studio, whose property on North Thomas Road suffered extensive damage. A shed, barn, and three motor homes were significantly damaged during the storm, which struck around 10 p.m. while Affholter and his family were at home. Fortunately, their house emerged unscathed and no injuries were reported.
“The shed is 100% lost. The barn is gone; it’s scattered across the road,” Affholter described. “But it spared the house, we got a big willow tree that came down and everything around us was just gone, but the house got nothing at all.”
The property holds a significant place in Affholter’s wife’s family, with its origins dating back more than a century.
“This property was my wife’s great aunt’s farm,” Affholter said. “They built the home in 1911, and Uncle Carl built the barn and the shed, which has been replaced once before because of a fire, and now it’s rubble again.”
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Although adequately insured, Affholter estimates that cleanup will take about a month, with repairs potentially completed within six months.
Affholter is seeking support from his community as his family recovers from this challenging event.
“Keep your eyes on Facebook because we’ll probably have a cleanup party at some point,” Affholter joked.
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Despite the difficulties ahead, Affholter remains grateful that he and his family are safe and unharmed.
For more information and to stay up to date on any future storms, visit https://www.weather.gov/.
