February 17,  2027

Ernie Ostuno

Retired NWS

Meteorologist

Hudsonville, MI F5 Tornado and Palm Sunday

This presentation looks back more than 70 years to the most destructive day in West Michigan weather history. Four tornadoes devastated areas from Bangor in Van Buren County, all the way to Suttons Bay in Leelanau County. The worst of it was from Hudsonville to Rockford, where F5 damage occurred and 17 people were killed. The event is remarkable for several reasons. This was one of the first instances of tornado forecasting coming of age, with an accurate outlook and timely warnings. Media broadcasts alerted the public and saved numerous lives. The image of the F5 tornado was recorded in photographs and movie film, and even the sound of the roaring wind was captured on tape. We will look at the destruction, the recovery and the scars left behind, and ask what would happen if a similar event occurred today.