KALAMAZOO (May 7, 2025) – When the worst happens, the American Red Cross is there to help. It was one year ago this week when the Red Cross mobilized a disaster relief operation after four tornadoes, including two EF2s, struck southwest Michigan.
The tornadoes struck on May 7, 2024, causing significant damage to homes and buildings, downed power lines and uprooted trees. It was regarded as the biggest disaster to hit southwest Michigan in 40 years. Sixteen people were injured, according to the state of Michigan, and no fatalities were reported.
More than 100 Red Cross disaster workers – including volunteers from Michigan and other parts of the country – supported the disaster operation and provided relief and recovery assistance to people who were impacted.
”Responding to a disaster is a team effort and it was that collaboration that enabled us to meet the immediate needs of the people in southwest Michigan,” said Latoysa Rooks, regional disaster officer of the Red Cross Michigan Region. “We worked closely with our community partners to coordinate services and resources and to make sure no one faced this disaster alone.”
Jim Kowalski, a 21-year Red Cross volunteer, said the tornadoes brought back memories of a storm he experienced growing up.
"It was very heart wrenching for me because I’ve sat through a tornado before when I was six years old,” he said. “And I know that seeing cows fly over me from the storm impressed upon me how dangerous a tornado is. And I'm thinking, these people in Portage (one of the hardest hit areas), they just went through the same thing."
Once the all-clear was given by first responders that severe weather was no longer a threat, the Red Cross opened an emergency shelter on May 7 at First Assembly of God Church in Portage. The shelter provided 410 overnight stays for more than 30 residents until it was closed on June 2. It also provided a safe place to stay for 16 household pets.
During its disaster operation that lasted about 30 days, the Red Cross provided more than 1,500 meals and more than 2,700 snacks at the shelter and in communities hardest hit by the tornadoes. Volunteers also distributed at least 400 cleanup kits. More than 70 homes were assessed to have some level of storm damage.
Additionally, Red Cross trained volunteers provided mental health and health care assistance and spiritual care support. Martha Lohrstorfer, a 15-year Red Cross volunteer, specializes in providing spiritual care assistance.
“My job was to be a caring presence and to be an active listener,” she said. “People were greatly affected, especially mentally, physically and spiritually. Why did this happen to me? How come I lost my home and my neighbor didn’t?”
Lohrstorfer visited the shelter every morning to speak with residents who were displaced. She also went door-to-door in the impacted neighborhoods to offer support to residents. “Everyone was affected because they had lost something, their sense of community,” she said.
Red Cross volunteer Sue McCabe said residents were genuinely grateful to the Red Cross and other organizations for the assistance they provided.
"The nice part about it was when you stopped to talk to people, how pleased they were that somebody was there to help them,” she said. "I don't think there could be any greater feeling of satisfaction when you're helping your own community locally.”
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MEDIA CONTACT: David Olejarz / david.olejarz@redcross.org / 313-303-0606
About the American Red Cross:
The American Red Cross shelters, feeds and provides comfort to victims of disasters; supplies about 40% of the nation’s blood; teaches skills that save lives; distributes international humanitarian aid; and supports veterans, military members and their families. The Red Cross is a nonprofit organization that depends on volunteers and the generosity of the American public to deliver its mission. For more information, please visit redcross.org or CruzRojaAmericana.org, or follow us on social media.
