Michigan State Police update death toll, search efforts after devastating tornado

GAYLORD, Mich., (WPBN/WGTU) -- Two people are dead and 44 injured after a tornado hit Gaylord on Friday, according to Michigan State Police.

The deaths were two people in their seventies, police said.

The National Weather Service is surveying the damage Saturday to determine the strength of the tornado.

• State of emergency:Governor declares state of emergency after Gaylord tornado

The tornado was on the ground for a total of 26 minutes and in Gaylord for 3 minutes, according to officials.

The storm was moving at 55 miles per hour, officials said.

The tornado initially struck west of Gaylord hitting Nottingham Forest mobile home park, causing extensive damage to 95-percent of the mobile homes, police said.

"There have been trailers picked up and turned over on top of each other. Just a very large debris field,” said Chris Martin, Otsego County fire chief. “Crews are in there right now doing a secondary search with heavy equipment.”

There is currently one person who has not been accounted for and is missing, according to police.

A hotline has been established for people trying to locate missing family members.

The number is 989-705-3780, this number is for missing persons only.

There will be a curfew implemented Saturday night due to power outages impacting streetlights.

The E-Free Church is offering shelter to victims.

Church is providing coolers, diapers and other supplies to Gaylord residents. E-Free Church is also accepting donations

There are currently 11 people still at the shelter.

Primary roads are open, however I-75 exit 282 remains closed.

I-75 will be reduced to one lane North and South bound in the Gaylord area, as crews continue their clean-up efforts.

Several secondary streets are still closed due to downed powerlines and debris.

Approximately 6,500 home are without power, according to Consumers Energy.

Water and sewer services have not been disrupted.