Absolute Michigan writes: [T]massive tornado that devasted Flint's Beecher District on June 8, 1953, killing 116 people, injuring nearly 1000 and inflicting $19 million of damage ($120 million in 2003 dollars). ... The Flint-Beecher tornado was described in the Flint Journal as an "ugly, dancing black cloud with a ball of fire in it." It was rated as an F5 tornado (the strongest) on the Fujita scale.

You'll definitely want to read Remembering the Beecher Tornado and watch the video on FlintHistory.com.

Having just 'SURVIVED' 6/6/6, this tornado date and time seems even more freakish! Owosso, Michigan's Famous Tornado of the Elevens happened at 11:11pm.......11-11-11. Labeled as "[o]ne of the worst tornadoes", ...[i]t entered the southwest side of the City of Owosso, Michigan and moved northeast. A young couple died when the their house on Chipman St. tipped over." Check out the Shiawassee County History, Tornado of the Elevens website!

According to DisasterCenter.com, "Compared with other States, Michigan ranks number 20 for frequency of Tornadoes, 5 for number of deaths, 8 for injuries and 22 for cost of damages." You can also check The Disaster Center Michigan Page for other Michigan disaster links and information.

The State of Michigan has put together Tornado Safety Tips. This is helpful information to have on hand and review before a tornado strikes. You might also want to visit the FEMA Tornado information pages. In 1991, The Michigan Committee for Severe Weather Awareness was formed "to coordinate public information efforts regarding flood, tornado and winter safety." Also helpful is Freep Tech writer, Mike Wendland's blog entry this week entitledWeather sites help summer fun stay on track.

Just for fun, take a look at this Tornado Generator Photo by seantracym