KALAMAZOO, Mich. — May 13, 1980 is when an F3 tornado traveled 11 miles from the west side of Kalamazoo, through downtown, before lifting near Comstock.
The tornado had estimated wind speeds of 158 to 206 mph.
Five people were killed and 79 were seriously injured that day.
A tornado watch was issued in West Michigan at 1:30 p.m. and at 4 p.m., a tornado warning was issued for Kalamazoo and surrounding areas.
The tornado touched down at 4:09 p.m. and struck the Greenacres subdivision shortly after, causing significant damage to homes.
From there, the tornado moved through part of Westwood and West Main Hill neighborhoods, killing someone at a laundromat.
Three more people lost their lives as the tornado tore through downtown Kalamazoo.
Bronson Park, the Kalamazoo Mall, and the Gilmore Brothers Department Store all suffered significant damage.
The tornado then took a slight southeast turn and blew one man off a fuel truck, which ended up killing him.
At 4:25 p.m., the tornado dissipated near Comstock.
This day will live in the minds of many long-time Kalamazoo residents.
It was an event that forever changed the city, but showed a sense of community as people came together to rebuild.
