Thursday, March 12, 2026
23 check-insTonight's Question
"What can you do to help communicate road blockages in your area? Would you be able to take and send time-stamped photos, or drone video of damage from the field using a cell phone and/or Winlink?"
Severe Spring Storms in Southeast Michigan — lessons from the May 2014 wind event
May 13, 2014 — A Day That Changed Emergency Planning
In mid-May 2014, severe thunderstorms swept across southeast Michigan and caused widespread tree and power line damage. This was not a tornado-centered event and not a flooding-centered event — it was the kind of fast-moving spring storm that produces scattered but significant impacts across a wide area.
By the Numbers
What Made This Event Different?
Roads can be blocked by limbs and wires, neighborhoods can lose power unevenly, and Emergency Management may need quick ground-truth reports to understand which impacts are isolated and which are widespread.
Key Lessons Learned
Straight-line wind can create county-wide problems with roads, power, and access—all without a single tornado touchdown. The May 2014 event demonstrated that sustained winds of 50-60 mph over a large area can be just as disruptive as more dramatic weather phenomena.
A storm like this creates pockets of heavy impact and pockets of almost nothing, which makes local field reports valuable. The damage pattern isn't uniform—one neighborhood might have trees down across every street, while two miles away, residents barely noticed the storm.
Example Scenario:
- Sterling Heights (15 Mile & Van Dyke): Multiple trees down, power out, major intersection blocked
- Warren (11 Mile & Hoover): Light rain, brief power flicker, no damage
- Clinton Twp (Gratiot & Metro Pkwy): Limbs down, traffic lights out, minor flooding
For amateur radio support, the useful question is often not "how strong was the storm," but "which roads, intersections, and facilities can still be reached."
What Emergency Management Needs to Know:
- Can fire trucks reach the hospital?
- Is the main route to the shelter still open?
- Are there alternate routes if the primary path is blocked?
- Which traffic signals are out?
This lines up with Michigan hazard planning that treats severe thunderstorms as recurring threats to utilities, transportation, and services—not just isolated weather events.
Communication Tools for Field Reporting
Cell Phone Photos
Most smartphones can capture GPS-tagged photos with timestamps. These are valuable evidence for damage assessment and can be sent via email, text, or Winlink (if you have data/internet).
Winlink Attachments
Winlink Express can send photos as email attachments over HF radio when internet is down. Photos are automatically compressed and can be sent via VARA, ARDOP, or Packet modes.
Discussion: What Would YOU Report?
Imagine it's May 13, 2014, at 8:00 PM. You just heard 60 mph winds roar through your neighborhood. Your power flickered twice but stayed on. You hear sirens in the distance.
What observations from your immediate area would help Emergency Management understand the situation?
- Tree limbs down in the street? (blocking traffic?)
- Power lines sagging or sparking? (call 911 first, then report!)
- Traffic lights out at major intersections? (which ones?)
- Storm moving past and conditions clearing? (that's valuable too!)
Michigan Hazard Context
The State of Michigan's Hazard Analysis and Emergency Management Plan identifies severe thunderstorms as one of the most frequent and impactful hazards in the state.
These storms typically occur April through September, with peak activity in June and July. Straight-line winds, heavy rain, lightning, and hail can all create simultaneous emergencies across multiple jurisdictions.
Practical Takeaways for ARPSC Members
Monitor Spring Storms Closely
Don't underestimate "just a thunderstorm." During severe thunderstorm warnings (especially with 60+ mph winds), monitor ARPSC channels and be prepared for possible activation.
Know Your Local Infrastructure
Familiarize yourself with key routes, intersections, and facilities in your area. Can you describe how to get from your house to the nearest shelter using alternate routes?
Practice Field Reporting
Get comfortable with taking and sending photos via Winlink or email. Practice during drills so you're ready when it matters.
"Nothing to Report" is Still a Report
If your area is unaffected, that information helps Emergency Management understand the geographic extent of the problem and avoid sending resources where they're not needed.
"We had no idea the storm hit Warren so hard until ham radio operators started calling in. The power company showed everything green on their map, but we had reports of multiple intersections without signals and roads blocked by debris. That ground-truth saved us hours."
Further Reading & Resources
- Ready.gov: Severe Weather Preparedness
Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) guidance on preparing for and responding to severe thunderstorms, including family emergency plans and supply kits.
- Michigan State Police Emergency Management
Michigan's official emergency management resources, including hazard mitigation plans and information on how amateur radio fits into state emergency response.
Your Eyes. Your Report. Real Impact.
Amateur radio operators are trained observers in the field. When commercial communications fail or become overloaded, your local knowledge and ability to report conditions becomes a critical resource for emergency management.
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| # | Call Sign | Name | City | Member |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | N8HLY | Tom | Sterling Heights | Member |
| 2 | N8VDZ | Mike | Warren | Member |
| 3 | K8JTA | Jason | Saint Clair Shores | Member |
| 4 | N8HAP | Joe | New Baltimore | Member |
| 5 | 28/KA8UHG | Steve | Saint Clair Shores | — |
| 6 | 24/W8BPD | Brian | Warren | — |
| 7 | 21/AD8OD | John | Troy | — |
| 8 | 26/N8CAF | Cliff | Clinton Township | — |
| 9 | KE4ZYQ | Joe | Clinton Township | Member |
| 10 | 35/AD8MP | Dave | Saint Clair Shores | — |
| 11 | KF8FTL | Jason | Warren | — |
| 12 | W8FU | Sean | Warren | Member |
| 13 | KE8WUO | John | Warren | Member |
| 14 | N8WCB | Dave | Sterling Heights | Member |
| 15 | W8VD | Wally | New Baltimore | Member |
| 16 | 32/KF8FGS | David | Utica | — |
| 17 | KE8YNU | EC | New Haven | Member |
| 18 | 10/N8WRO | Tim | Richmond | — |
| 19 | KE8RUH | ANTHONY | GROSSE POINTE WOOD | — |
| 20 | N8BZR | Brian | Harrison Township | Member |
| 21 | 19/K8WA | Bill | Warren | — |
| 22 | KE8DOT | Thomas | Redford Township | — |
| 23 | KF8ETQ | Darren | Fraser | Member |