A massive tornado has caused one death and dozens of injuries as it wreaks devastation in a Michigan town which is under curfew.
Officials have said that one person has died and 43 people have been injured in Gaylord which has a population of 4,000 people.
Lt. Jim Gorno of the Michigan Department of Natural Resources, called the scene "catastrophic".
"Due to the ongoing emergency in Gaylord, residents are asked to shelter in place. The City of Gaylord has imposed a 7:00 PM curfew. It will be lifted tomorrow morning at 8:00 AM," said Michigan Police.
The tornado hit Gaylord around 3.45pm, local time, on Friday afternoon and there are reports of heavy damage to buildings in the west of the town.
Michigan Police's Lt. Derrick Carroll said the tornado had ripped through a mobile home park, passed through the business district of the town and brought power cables down.
He said there were injuries, but he did not have a count of how many.
Michigan Police tweeted: "Otsego County: Tornado touched down. MSP and local resources responding. More information to follow as it becomes available."
Then later messages stated: "Trees and power lines blocking roadways. Multiple homes and businesses damaged. Avoid the Gaylord area. Emergency crews are responding.
"Heavy damage throughout the area.
"Ambulances are transporting injured persons to local hospitals. No confirmed deaths at this time.
"A shelter is being established at E-Free Church in Gaylord located at 1649 E. M-32. The Red Cross will be setting up at that location."
Vic Ouellette, a Gaylord City Council member, has told how his home collapsed in the storm and is now receiving medical treatment.
“I’ve got a goose egg the size of a lemon on the top of my head where the roof hit me,” Mr Ouellette told the New York Times.
“I’m lucky to be alive.”
He said that he and his wife had been hiding in the basement of the home when the building was reduced to rubble and they needed to be pulled from the debris.
He added: "It’s like being inside of a snow globe. Dust is flying. Water is flying. You can’t see anything. It’s like you’re inside of a cloud.”Tornadoes are not common in the area close to the Great Lakes and it has taken people by surprise.
"It just touched down at around 3:45 and just went right through town," said Sean Christensen, a meteorologist at the National Weather Service.
Governor Gretchen Whitmer tweeted: "My heart goes out to the families and small businesses impacted by the tornado and severe weather in Gaylord.
"To the entire Gaylord community—Michigan is with you. We will do what it takes to rebuild.
"@mspnorthernmi and other first responders are on site to assist residents. We’re grateful to the police officers, firefighters, EMTs, utility workers, and so many others responding on the ground."
