First aid experts assess the damage caused by the tornado, according to Gorno, who described the scene as “catastrophic”, with overturned cars and destroyed structures.
“It’s a bustling city center and it went right through it,” he said.
“We’re not used to it up here,” he said. “We do not have sirens, as in other parts of the country.
Michigan State Police wrote on Twitter that the injured were taken to hospitals, but there were no immediate reports of deaths.
Earlier, they tweeted: “Trees and power lines are blocking roads. Many homes and businesses have been damaged. Avoid the Gaylord area. Emergency crews are responding.”
They also wrote “Severe Damage Across the Area” while posting photos of damage to a shopping center, pizzeria and Goodwill site.
National Meteorological Service meteorologist Sean Christensen told CNN that the strike struck west of downtown near Interstate 75 and moved east-northeast.
About 35 percent of Utility County utilities customers – which includes Gaylord – had a power outage on Friday afternoon, according to the tracking website PowerOutage.us.
About 25,000 people live in Gaylord and Nowhere County, according to the U.S. Census Bureau. The village is about 235 miles north of Detroit.
This is an evolving story. Check again for updates.
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