Are there tornadoes in Ann Arbor Michigan?
January 17th, 2010 | by David Mueller |I am moving to Ann Arbor this year and am interested in buying a module/manufactured home. Someone mentioned that this may be a bad idea because I will need a basement if there are tornadoes? True or False? Is this something that is common?
Skittles is right… That’s one of the great things about Michigan – we don’t really have to put up with weather phenomenons. I remember a spate of tornadoes going through 10-15 years ago, and there’s been the occasional sighting since. Severe thunderstorms are much more common than tornadoes, but even those aren’t too frequent. We get our share of high winds and blizzards, too, but those are also infrequent in the lower half of the Lower Peninsula. Weather-wise, Michigan is a great place to be.
As for having a basement: I’d think you’d be fine. There are many traditionally constructed houses without basements spread around the state. Better safe than sorry – No matter what state you’re in, you should be aware of the weather and make sure you tune into the forecast if it looks iffy outside (such as an oddly green sky). If a tornado does happen, you can go into a closet.
Welcome to Michigan!
12 Responses to “Are there tornadoes in Ann Arbor Michigan?”
By NikeBoi89 on Jan 18, 2010 | Reply
aw man you missed it, last week Glenda the good witch came along with Dorothy, the scarecrow, the tinman, the cwardly lion, and toto to take a stroll down the ol’ yellow brick road to see the wonderful wizard of OZ…..(sarc) What is this Oklahoma? No there aren’t any tornado’s
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By dlea2701 on Jan 18, 2010 | Reply
They are unlikely, however, with the way the weather is changing all over the country (tornadoes in Los Angeles, snow on the Calif beaches, earthquakes in Okla) there is no way to promise. Blizzards are more common in Michigan.
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By capturetheseasons.com on Jan 18, 2010 | Reply
Every state has the likelihood of tornadoes touching down. For example where I live it is rare to get a tornado but there was a tornado a year back that touch down. Annually, thunderstorms will occur on an average of 36 days. Michigan is located on the northeast fringe of the Midwest tornado belt. The lower frequency of tornadoes occurring in Michigan may be, in part, the result of the colder water of Lake Michigan during the spring and early summer months, a prime period of tornado activity. Michigan also has an average of 15 tornadoes each year. Overall it is something to think over if you are getting a mobile home outside of a mobile home park. If you are thinking more of a mobile home park then ask about if they provide a storm shelter.
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By Eagle eggs=WIN! on Jan 18, 2010 | Reply
I haven’t heard of any in Ann Arbor but if there are any, they are in northern MI.
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By mah1407 on Jan 18, 2010 | Reply
There hasn’t been a tornado in michigan in quite some time. It is good to have a basement if there is a tornado but they are rare here in Michigan. I’ve lived here 24 years of my life and only experienced like 1 official one and couple of storms that might have produced a few.
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By Skittles are M & M wannabees on Jan 18, 2010 | Reply
Ann Arbor Michigan has its fair share of "severe weather" (ie high winds, hail, dangerous lightening). From time to time there may be "upper level rotation" and maybe even a funnel cloud spotting, but actual touchdowns are very rare. HOWEVER, the WORST place to be in a tornado in in a mobile home (something that is not on a foundation). An interior room like the closet or bathroom of a manufactured home on a foundation would be safe (of course a basement is safest).
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By Me, Myself, and I on Jan 18, 2010 | Reply
Skittles is right… That’s one of the great things about Michigan – we don’t really have to put up with weather phenomenons. I remember a spate of tornadoes going through 10-15 years ago, and there’s been the occasional sighting since. Severe thunderstorms are much more common than tornadoes, but even those aren’t too frequent. We get our share of high winds and blizzards, too, but those are also infrequent in the lower half of the Lower Peninsula. Weather-wise, Michigan is a great place to be.
As for having a basement: I’d think you’d be fine. There are many traditionally constructed houses without basements spread around the state. Better safe than sorry – No matter what state you’re in, you should be aware of the weather and make sure you tune into the forecast if it looks iffy outside (such as an oddly green sky). If a tornado does happen, you can go into a closet.
Welcome to Michigan!
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By SadToday22 on Jan 18, 2010 | Reply
We get them every few years or so. The weather here is harsh, very cold winters with a lot of snow. I honestly didn’t know any trailer parks existed in Ace Deuce because it is such an affulent area. So, if you do move into a trailer try to get one with a basement – much more safe and more valuable. Honestly, you can BUY a home in Michigan for about 50% less than what you’d ever pay in rent. There are a ton of foreclosures in every city, but I’m not sure if you are just moving here for college or what. Worth looking into…..
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By PROUD HUSKY OWNER XDDD on Jan 18, 2010 | Reply
i live there and the closest thing to it that ever happened is a prankster made the tornado siren go off.
No.
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By superhero09999 on Jan 18, 2010 | Reply
Not in a very long time
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By RDG78 on Jan 18, 2010 | Reply
It’s not common, but it could happen. About ten or twelve years ago, there was a tornado which touched down in Detroit. If you still want a mobile, most of the parks will be in Ypsilanti Township, Canton Township, or Van Buren Township.
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Lived there.
By Gary Smith, Realtor® on Jan 18, 2010 | Reply
Hard to answer True False for this type question. Is it necessarily bad to purchase a manufactured home? No, but it would depend upon the structure.
Would a basement be safer? Possibly, again, depends upon the actual structure of the home.
Your insurance company should be able to provide some information and statistics.
According to the website below:
Ann Arbor-area historical tornado activity is above Michigan state average. It is 99% greater than the overall U.S. average.
On 7/4/1957, a category 4 (max. wind speeds 207-260 mph) tornado 17.0 miles away from the Ann Arbor city center injured 6 people and caused between $50,000 and $500,000 in damages.
On 4/11/1965, a category 4 tornado 22.9 miles away from the city center killed 23 people and injured 294 people and caused between $50,000,000 and $500,000,000 in damages.
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http://www.city-data.com/city/Ann-Arbor-Michigan.html