A 2-year-old child passed away on Wednesday when a tree collapsed onto a house following a tornado in Michigan.
The National Weather Service verified that the tornado was an EF1 with winds reaching about 95 mph, and it moved approximately 5.5 miles through Livonia — around 20 miles west of Detroit. NWS mentioned that they will continue to assess the damage in the area.
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As per the Livonia fire chief, firefighters were sent out around 3:35 p.m. due to a fallen tree in a residential area. Upon arrival, they discovered a “massive tree” that had been uprooted and fell onto a house’s roof, stated Livonia Fire Department Chief Robert Jennison.
Chopper 7 over home tree fell into in Livonia
The tree fell on a bedroom at the back of the house where the 2-year-old child and the child’s mother were. They were trapped under the tree on a bed.
Jennison mentioned that all available units in the city were sent to the residence. The Western Wayne County Urban Search and Rescue team was also called for assistance.
Efforts to remove the tree from the house took approximately an hour, with crews cutting parts of the roof. They used high-pressure lifting air bags to free the victims.
“About a dozen chainsaws and 25 firefighters cutting the tree to pieces until we could get enough of the weight off to be able to lift the massive trunks off of her and remove her from the bed,” Jennison explained.
The 2-year-old child was declared deceased at the scene. The mother, who remained conscious during the rescue operation, was taken to the hospital in critical condition. Paramedics attended to her during the rescue.
A 2-week-old infant was in a crib in another room that was unaffected by the fallen tree. Firefighters transported the baby to the hospital with the grandmother.
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“This was a very traumatic scene. Our thoughts and prayers go out to the friends and family of the victims. This was a tough day,” expressed Jennison to the reporters present. “We have a lot of fathers and they have children that are similar ages. But this is what they do. This is what they train for. There’s going to be some healing that needs to go on after this, but this is what they’re here for and this is what they do.”
No warnings were issued or sirens heard during the storm.
“It was just a very quick, pop-up storm, talking with the National Weather Service, and something which is very unpredictable to determine,” stated Brian Kahn, the director of emergency preparedness. “This is a tragic day and this is a part of the job that we all hate. And being a father myself, it’s just something I couldn’t even possibly imagine.”
Authorities are focused on clearing the area and reopening roads. They are also working on restoring power in the region, as mentioned by Kahn.
“This is a terrible tragedy for our community,” shared Mayor Maureen Miller Brosnan in a statement released by the city. “Our hearts are broken, too, and we send our deepest sympathies.”
Residents in the neighborhood spent hours cleaning up the aftermath left behind.
“Just gives me goosebumps. Hope I never have to go through this again,” expressed neighbor Susan Hill.
Neighbors are mindful of the tragedy that occurred nearby, understanding that for the victims and their family, the damage will never be fully repaired.
“We can always put stuff back together. Can’t get somebody’s life back,” mentioned neighbor Kevin Martyka.
Hill added: “She’s just the sweetest person I’ve ever met and the little boy was just so cute and I hadn’t seen the baby yet. And I’m just saying prayers for her.”
This article was originally written by Natalia Escalante on Scripps News Detroit.
