Tornado damage in Gaylord, Michigan at Hobby Lobby and Jimmy John’s, May 20, 2022. Courtesy, Arica Alread
Mother Nature paid an unusual visit last week to Gaylord, Michigan, a town of 4,200 residents about 230 miles northwest of Detroit. In fact, northern Michigan has rarely seen a tornado event like the one that hit this small town and the last notable windstorm was in 1998 when 100 mph straight-line winds raked Gaylord.
There was no siren warning system to alert residents of the tornado danger. The best they had was the “code red” warning that blared on mobile phones about 10 minutes before the tornado hit. Two people in their 70’s were killed while in their mobile home, yet an 87 year-old senior citizen survived, discovered in her home with her rosary beads in her hands.
It’s not like bad weather doesn’t happen in Gaylord but those living there talked about snowstorms interrupting tourists like skiers and snowmobilers during the winter tourist season. Never did they ever, ever expect such a tragic event.
I am sharing this story with our readers so that we are reminded that June 1 is in about a week (the start of the Atlantic Hurricane Season). In the meantime, I ask that you pray prayers of relief and solace for the good people of Gaylord impacted by this immense tragedy and that you pray for the tireless rescue workers and all those who are doing their best to help post-disaster. Thank you for being a part of our orbit of readers who steadfastly follow our work, including our sharing our passion for those affected by this weather tragedy and those future events we know could be in our world any day.
Next up? Read all about today’s special session on property insurance happenings and much more!
LMA Newsletter of 5-23-22
