Congressman Jack Bergman (R-Watersmeet) reacted late Friday night to the tornado that devasted Gaylord, which is located in his First Congressional District.
“I know the Gaylord community will rally after this devastating storm,” Bergman said. “The first responders, local law enforcement and firefighters, as well as the Michigan State Police have been working nonstop since the moment it hit.”
At last word, one person was dead and 44 injured after the tornado hit Gaylord at 3:40 p.m. The National Weather Service confirmed it was a tornado, and will investigate it further this weekend, and will determine what the strength of the storm likely was.
“Please say a prayer tonight for the residents of Otsego County,” Bergman said. “This will be an all hands on deck recovery, but I know Northern Michigan is no stranger to that.”
Numerous homes and businesses were damaged or destroyed in what the Weather Service says is the first-ever tornado to hit Gaylord.
“My office will be there every step,” Bergman promised. “In the days ahead, I stand ready to assist at the federal level however I possibly can.”
Gaylord is under a State of Emergency, and there is a citywide curfew in effect until 8 a.m. Saturday. The two exit ramps off of I-75 were blocked off by police, and people were asked to avoid the area.
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