Photo:Andy Morrison/Detroit News via APAt least five people were killed when a powerful storm system that tossed cars on the interstate, downed power lines and caused widespread damage tore through lower Michigan Thursday night.Gov. Gretchen Whitmerannounced on Fridaythat she would be declaring a state of emergency in the wake of the storms, which included at least two confirmed tornadoes,according to theDetroit Free Press.In Kent County, a 21-year-old mother and her 1-year-old and 3-year-old daughters were killed when their car hydroplaned and crossed the center line into oncoming traffic during heavy rain,according to MLive.Two other people, including an 84-year-old woman, died in separate storm-related accidents in Lansing and in rural Ingham County, per the outlet.Mike Householder/APOn Friday, authorities began assessing the damage via drones, while the National Weather Service was set to visit multiple areas in Ingham and Kent counties to verify the reported tornadic activity, MLive reported.By Friday afternoon, more than 450,000 customers throughout the state were still without power,according to PowerOutage.us.The storms came after another weather system had dumped close to 8 inches of rain on parts of southern Michigan and northern Ohio,CNN reported.Never miss a story — sign up forPEOPLE’s free daily newsletterto stay up-to-date on the best of what PEOPLE has to offer, from juicy celebrity news to compelling human interest stories.“The last two days have been extremely active compared to what we typically see in Michigan,” Steve Considine, a senior National Weather Service forecaster in White Lake Township said, per theFree Press. “This time of year, it’s severe weather season.”

Photo:Andy Morrison/Detroit News via AP

Dan Glegola retrieves part of the awning to his home, Friday Aug. 25, 2023, near a downed tree while cleaning up after a storm hit the Frenchtown Villa on Thursday night, Aug. 24, near Monroe, Mich

Andy Morrison/Detroit News via AP

At least five people were killed when a powerful storm system that tossed cars on the interstate, downed power lines and caused widespread damage tore through lower Michigan Thursday night.Gov. Gretchen Whitmerannounced on Fridaythat she would be declaring a state of emergency in the wake of the storms, which included at least two confirmed tornadoes,according to theDetroit Free Press.In Kent County, a 21-year-old mother and her 1-year-old and 3-year-old daughters were killed when their car hydroplaned and crossed the center line into oncoming traffic during heavy rain,according to MLive.Two other people, including an 84-year-old woman, died in separate storm-related accidents in Lansing and in rural Ingham County, per the outlet.Mike Householder/APOn Friday, authorities began assessing the damage via drones, while the National Weather Service was set to visit multiple areas in Ingham and Kent counties to verify the reported tornadic activity, MLive reported.By Friday afternoon, more than 450,000 customers throughout the state were still without power,according to PowerOutage.us.The storms came after another weather system had dumped close to 8 inches of rain on parts of southern Michigan and northern Ohio,CNN reported.Never miss a story — sign up forPEOPLE’s free daily newsletterto stay up-to-date on the best of what PEOPLE has to offer, from juicy celebrity news to compelling human interest stories.“The last two days have been extremely active compared to what we typically see in Michigan,” Steve Considine, a senior National Weather Service forecaster in White Lake Township said, per theFree Press. “This time of year, it’s severe weather season.”

At least five people were killed when a powerful storm system that tossed cars on the interstate, downed power lines and caused widespread damage tore through lower Michigan Thursday night.

Gov. Gretchen Whitmerannounced on Fridaythat she would be declaring a state of emergency in the wake of the storms, which included at least two confirmed tornadoes,according to theDetroit Free Press.

In Kent County, a 21-year-old mother and her 1-year-old and 3-year-old daughters were killed when their car hydroplaned and crossed the center line into oncoming traffic during heavy rain,according to MLive.

Two other people, including an 84-year-old woman, died in separate storm-related accidents in Lansing and in rural Ingham County, per the outlet.

Mike Householder/AP

A tree is uprooted outside a home on Friday, Aug. 25, 2023, in Canton Township, Mich. A strong storm powered by winds of up to 75 mph (121 kph) in Michigan downed trees, tore roofs off buildings and left hundreds of thousands of customers without power

On Friday, authorities began assessing the damage via drones, while the National Weather Service was set to visit multiple areas in Ingham and Kent counties to verify the reported tornadic activity, MLive reported.

By Friday afternoon, more than 450,000 customers throughout the state were still without power,according to PowerOutage.us.

The storms came after another weather system had dumped close to 8 inches of rain on parts of southern Michigan and northern Ohio,CNN reported.

Never miss a story — sign up forPEOPLE’s free daily newsletterto stay up-to-date on the best of what PEOPLE has to offer, from juicy celebrity news to compelling human interest stories.

“The last two days have been extremely active compared to what we typically see in Michigan,” Steve Considine, a senior National Weather Service forecaster in White Lake Township said, per theFree Press. “This time of year, it’s severe weather season.”

source: people.com