DETROIT – Clean-up efforts continued Friday across Metro Detroit after a tornado and strong storms swept through the region Thursday, leaving a trail of damage.
Detroit Mayor Mary Sheffield declared a local state of emergency following significant devastation on the city’s east side.
The National Weather Service has confirmed Detroit experienced its first tornado in nearly 30 years.
One area hit was Gabriel Richard Park along the riverfront, where the Detroit Riverfront Conservancy reported extensive tree loss.
The conservancy said the park lost more than “20 old-growth trees” and that restoration will continue over the next few weeks.
Officials are asking people to avoid the park’s grassy area.
By Friday afternoon, tree roots were sticking out of the ground and downed branches were piled up throughout the park.
“I don’t like it because I used to do splits and stuff in the grass, and now I can’t because I can get stuff in my feet. There are tree branches everywhere,” said Detroit resident Melony Wilson, who frequents the park with her family.
“It’s crazy. I’ve seen it before but you know the kids love it,” Denisesha Wilson. “Since we’ve been walking, all they’ve seen is trees down on the ground.”
On Detroit’s east side, the storm left buildings damaged, power knocked out, and traffic signals in need of repair.
In a news conference Friday , city officials said there were 100 traffic signals that were initially impacted by Thursday’s weather event.
Crews responded by connecting some signals to generators to restore operation and placing temporary stop signs at other intersections.
By late Friday afternoon, the Department of Public Works press secretary said crews had reduced the number of affected signals from 100 to 48.
City officials urged drivers to treat any non-functioning traffic light as a four-way stop until repairs are complete.
The severe weather also hit communities outside Detroit, like Dearborn and Allen Park, though not all saw the same level of destruction.
In Hamtramck, the mayor reported a tree fell and struck a transformer, causing localized issues
“Wind. Wind it was bad,” said Hamtramck resident Salah, recalling the storm. The tree fell on the transformer behind his house. He said it was sparking and he lost power. However, he regained power by Friday.
Authorities in Detroit say they are working to restore all traffic signals as quickly as possible and continue storm clean-up.
At Gabriel Richard Park, the Riverfront Conservancy is asking residents and visitors to stay off the damaged grassy areas while restoration is underway.
