Case managers available for Portage tornado relief

PORTAGE, Mich. (WOOD) — Portage is bringing in a nonprofit to help people affected by the May 7 tornado manage recovery.

With backing from the Kalamazoo Community Foundation, Portage is working with Michigan-based nonprofit After the Storm to connect people with disaster case management. Local case managers will help people get housing, deal with insurance and sign up for disaster relief.

People who call 517.855.8077 should hear back for intake within two business days.

The EF2 that tore through Portage was among four tornadoes spawned as storms swept through Southwest Michigan on May 7. Packing winds of up to 135 mph, the Portage twister tracked 11 miles through Texas Township, Portage and Pavilion Township, ripping apart houses and businesses and flipping mobile homes. A preliminary assessment determined at least 60 buildings were destroyed and another 129 sustained major damage.

The other tornadoes included another EF2 that covered 19 miles from Centreville to the Union City area, an EF1 near Dowagiac and another EF1 in the Union City area.

There were injuries reported as a result of the storms, but no deaths.

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