DETROIT – Detroit officials are assessing damage after severe storms moved through the city Thursday afternoon, damaging homes and buildings, toppling trees and power lines, and leaving about 80 intersections without working traffic signals.
Mayor Mary Sheffield said she surveyed damage on the city’s east side in the area of East Vernor and East Jefferson avenues and Mt. Elliott Street and East Grand Boulevard.
She said there were no reports of serious injuries in that area as of Thursday afternoon.
“We’ve been in touch with the weather service; they’re going to let us know if it was an actual touchdown or just derecho or straight-line winds,” said Hilton Kinkaid, Detroit’s director of Homeland Security and Emergency Management.
The city launched a multi-department response, including door-to-door checks by the Detroit Fire Department and additional crews from the General Services Department to clear trees from streets and sidewalks and help residents who may be blocked inside their homes.
The Department of Public Works was responding to dark traffic signals at about 80 intersections by deploying generators and stop signs.
Crews were also clearing building debris from roadways.
Building inspectors were surveying damaged structures to determine whether any were unsafe to enter.
The Department of Human, Homeless and Family Services was standing by to help families whose homes were damaged and who needed emergency shelter.
On Detroit’s west side, Tracie Naylon said a large tree fell on her daughter’s home on West Parkway Street while her son-in-law and their 3-week-old daughter were inside.
“I was at the library with my daughter; she got a call that the roof caved in, and my son-in-law was talking about he didn’t know if the baby was OK or not,” Naylon said. “I called 911 and the police and told them the roof caved in and the baby was in the house.”
Both got out safely, Naylon said.
The father went to a hospital to be checked for injuries. Several sections of the home’s roof collapsed.
“It’s just terrible. I’m just glad everybody made it out OK,” Naylon said.
On the east side, aerial video showed damage to several buildings near Beaufait Street and East Vernor Highway.
Asiya El, who works for the after-school program Driven by Growth, said workers moved students to a safe area as the storm passed.
“We did everything we could to distract them, so we gave them a snack and did riddles with them and stuff like that,” El said.
She said seeing the damage afterward was surreal.
“The buildings down the street, on either side, even around the block, trees down, some cars got damaged,” she said. “It was amazing that we did not get touched.”
Residents can report downed trees or damaged buildings through the Improve Detroit app or by calling 313-590-3336.
Anyone who needs emergency shelter can call 866-313-2520.
DTE Energy customers can report power outages at 877-447-4747. Anyone who sees a downed power line should stay away and call 911.
Sheffield said the city would continue supporting residents and businesses as crews assess the damage and begin cleanup.
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