
Thunderstorms and tornadoes mauled the Midwest, tearing through several western Michigan communities Tuesday evening, leaving a trail of wreckage that weather and emergency officials will have to evaluate more closely in the light of day. At least two tornadoes touched down in Michigan, one in Portage and the other in Branch and St. Joseph counties, National Weather Service officials in Grand Rapids said early Wednesday, adding teams would be out later surveying the damage. "The early warnings saved lives," said Ernie Ostuno, a National Weather Service meteorologist in Grand Rapids,...