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Roof torn from FedEx Ship Center in Michigan following multiple confirmed tornadoes
Kalamazoo Emergency Management told ABC News there were an estimated 50 people trapped inside the FedEx building.
PORTAGE, Mich. — At least four confirmed tornadoes touched down in Southwest Michigan Tuesday, causing severe damage and power outages in the region.
Portage is one of the harder-hit locations and that is observable by the amount of damage done to the FedEx Ship Center on Portage Road. A video sent to 13 ON YOUR SIDE by Jim Morrison shows the building’s exterior wall collapsed and much of the roof torn off.
Kalamazoo Emergency Management told ABC News there were an estimated 50 people trapped inside the FedEx building.
First responders are actively looking for ways to get them out, but there are wires down in the building that they need the power company to clear before they can safely go in, Kalamazoo Emergency Management said.
“Our thoughts are with those affected by the tornado in Portage, Michigan, and we are grateful there were no serious injuries resulting from the damage to our facility at 6701 Portage Road. We continue to assess the damage, and we are implementing contingency plans to lessen any potential impacts on service. Customers with questions about their shipments can check fedex.com for updates,” Shannon Davis with FedEx Media Relations said.
There is also lots of debris on the roads and in the parking lot surrounding the building. Additional considerable damage was reported in other areas of Portage including the Mercantile Bank building, which had portions of its roof blown off from the high winds.
The Portage Department of Public Safety asked that you avoid travel to Portage until further notice.
*This is a developing story and check back later for updates as more information becomes available.
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