Cleanup continues after EF1 tornadoes hit Ann Arbor, Melvindale-Lincoln Park
April 16, 2026
The owner of Subway in Lincoln Park that was partially destroyed said he's never seen such a destructive storm. Local officials urged caution.
Residents of Ann Arbor and the Downriver communities of Melvindale and Lincoln Park are continuing cleanup efforts after two EF-1 tornadoes touched down in the early morning hours of April 15, part of a wider severe weather system that spawned at least eight tornadoes across Michigan. The storms left a trail of downed trees, damaged buildings, and power outages, though thankfully no injuries or fatalities have been reported. Utility crews have been working to restore electricity to thousands of customers who lost power during the severe weather.
The first tornado, with peak winds of 110 mph, carved a 1.7-mile path through Ann Arbor. Touching down near Jackson Avenue and Interstate 94 around 1:44 a.m., it moved southeast, causing significant damage to Veterans Memorial Park, including snapping stadium light poles and uprooting numerous trees. The tornado also tore off a portion of the roof of a nearby elementary school before lifting. Following the tornado, straight-line winds caused further damage, pulling metal roof panels from the University of Michigan's Yost Ice Arena. In the immediate aftermath, the Ann Arbor Fire Department responded to over 75 storm-related calls, and the police handled more than 120 incidents in a matter of hours.
A second, shorter-lived EF-1 tornado touched down around 2:14 a.m. on the border of Allen Park and Lincoln Park, traveling for about a third of a mile with winds reaching 95 mph. It crossed Dix Highway into Melvindale, causing damage to homes and businesses, including shattered windows and damaged roofs. A Subway restaurant in a Lincoln Park strip mall sustained significant structural damage, with part of its brick facade torn away. In Lincoln Park, residents are being encouraged to report storm-related damage to the city via an online form to help officials assess the full scope of the impact.
The recent severe weather has brought the topic of emergency preparedness to the forefront. In Ann Arbor, the tornado sirens, which were activated during the storm, will be staying in place. The city had previously been considering decommissioning the aging system but decided to retain and invest in it after receiving overwhelming public support for keeping the sirens as an additional layer of safety. That decision, made prior to the tornadoes, was reaffirmed by city officials in the wake of the storm.
As the cleanup progresses, with public works crews clearing debris and residents assessing the damage to their properties, the focus now shifts to recovery. For many, this will involve navigating insurance claims and making repairs. While specific long-term aid packages for these communities have not yet been announced, organizations like the American Red Cross are typically involved in providing assistance, including shelter and resources, to those affected by natural disasters. In the meantime, Ann Arbor officials have assured residents that regular trash and recycling collection will continue as scheduled where streets are accessible. However, Veterans Memorial Park remains closed to the public due to the significant damage and for safety reasons as crews continue their assessment and repairs.
Source: detroitnews