Series of storms hit Wednesday

Wed, Jul 2, 2008    to del.icio.us

A series of storms blew through Michigan's Lower Peninsula on Wednesday, knocking out power to thousands and toppling trees across lawns and roads.

Emergency personnel were first called out on downed trees and wires after a first storm blew across the area about 2:20 p.m. Residents reported power outages in Ferrysburg and Crockery Township.

The second stronger storm shortly after 4 p.m. led to numerous calls of wires down, trees down, a couple of accidents and a possible water rescue on the south pier.

The Grand Haven Department of Public Safety was called to the pier at 4:15 p.m. for a report of six people trapped on the pier, with one possibly in the water. The person was out of the water when officials arrived and everyone was safe, police said.

A car and semitrailer truck reportedly collided at U.S. 31 and Ferris Street in Grand Haven Township about the same time. Officials reported minor injuries at the scene.

Loutit District Library was forced to close early on Wednesday afternoon after losing power when the second storm hit. Residents and utility workers reported water covering a number of roads in the community with the heavy rain.

A third storm blew through the area around 9 p.m.

More details on this story will be published in today's Grand Haven Tribune.