Dozens trapped as tornado collapses FedEx depot

A tornado has partially collapsed a FedEx depot successful Michigan, trapping 50 radical inside, officials say.

The uncommon tornado deed the tiny municipality of Portage, 8 miles (13km) southbound of Kalamazoo, connected Tuesday evening.

Emergency officials are moving to scope those inside, but person been hampered by downed powerfulness lines and debris.

Multiple buildings person been damaged by terrible upwind successful the region, but determination are nary reports of injuries.

More than 32,600 radical are without electricity, according to the PowerOutages.US website. Thousands much are nether upwind warnings.

The National Weather Service (NWS) has issued its archetypal tornado exigency for Michigan, the highest alert level.

Taylor Koopman, of the Kalamazoo County Administrator's office, told MLive.com that 50 radical were trapped successful the partially destroyed FedEx facility.

Collapsed wires and debris indispensable beryllium removed successful bid to scope the group, she said, adding that it remained an "active scene".

"TAKE COVER NOW," the NWS warned residents of Portage, wherever the depot is located, earlier connected Tuesday.

"Our thoughts are with those affected by the tornado successful Portage, Michigan, and we are grateful determination were nary superior injuries resulting from the harm to our facility," FedEx said successful a statement.

Severe upwind crossed West Michigan has led to aggregate tornado watches and warnings, arsenic good arsenic a terrible thunderstorm warning.

A tornado emergency, the astir terrible benignant of tornado alert issued by the service, tells radical that a tornado is imminent oregon has already been spotted successful the area.

A little tornado ticker remains successful effect for respective counties successful south-east Michigan, arsenic good arsenic parts of Indiana and Kentucky.