State of Emergency Declared After Tornado Rips Through Gaylord

At least two people are dead and more than 40 others were injured as a tornado ripped through Gaylord, a small town in the upper half of Michigan's Lower Peninsula Friday afternoon (5/20).

The twister that rolled through the town of about 4,200 residents flipped over vehicles, tore roofs off of buildings, and left a trail of destruction. Steven Bischer is a retired law enforcement officer who lives in Lewiston, Michigan. He posted several pictures (below) of the devastation from the tornado, saying, "We picked the right store to hide (in)."

Adam Becker posted this video as he was driving near Gaylord.

Pat Petricca shared a drone video of the aftermath of the tornado with TV station Up North Live.

The tornado ripped through town at about 3:45 Friday afternoon. Residents in Northern Michigan rarely see tornados.

Mike Klegadlo owns a repair shop in Gaylord. He and his employees took shelter in a bathroom in the shop.

“I’m lucky I’m alive. It blew the back off the building,” he tells the Associated Press. “Twenty feet (6 meters) of the back wall is gone. The whole roof is missing. At least half the building is still here. It’s bad.”

Brandie Slough says that she and her daughter were eating at Culver's. Pictures of the damage done to that restaurant are featured below. Slough says windows were blown out at the restaurant and their vehicle was flipped in the parking lot.

“We shook our heads in disbelief but are thankful to be safe. At that point, who cares about the truck,” Slough said.

NBC-25 has more on the story here. Keep reading for pictures from the devastating tornado.

See Pictures From the Tornado That Devastated Gaylord, Michigan

A rare tornado ripped through the small Northern Michigan town of Gaylord on Friday. The twister left at least one person dead, more than 40 injured, and a trail of destruction to property.

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