Water Damage Restoration in Holly, MI

The National Weather Service confirmed that an EF-0 tornado touched down at approximately 7 p.m. on Sunday, Nov. 10 in Holly.

Village of Holly Fire Chief Jeremy Watson said the fire department received several calls reporting trees down, wires down and several buildings with structural damage.

“We are still out assessing the community for further damage,” he said. “No reports of any human injuries. Super thankful for that.”

Watson added that several homes will need further attention prior to the winter weather.

According to the NWS, a broken line of shallow thunderstorms associated with a strong upper low crossed portions of Southeast Michigan north of Detroit during the evening hours of Sunday Nov. 10. Isolated wind gusts to near 50 mph and one weak, short-lived tornado was observed with these storms.

The NWS reports that a tornado with an EF-0 rating was recorded at 6:56 p.m. Sunday, Nov. 10. Peak winds were 70 mph with a 1-mile path length and 50-yard path width.

The tornado began in a wooded marshland southwest of Holly and continued northeast into the village of Holly before dissipating just east of the center of town near the intersection of Martha Street and Washington Street.

Sporadic concentrated small tree and large limb damage, loss of roofing material on several facilities, construction site damage, and minor siding and fascia loss were observed along portions of Tenny Street, Locke Street, Legrande Street, Sherman Street, Saginaw Street, Church Street, Martha Street and Washington Street.

Late Sunday night, the American Legion Post 149 in Holly issued an announcement regarding the tornado. The Post is at 408 S. Saginaw St., at W. Sherman St.

“On Sunday, November 10th, at approximately 6:57 p.m., Holly American Legion Post 149 sustained significant structural and roof damage during a severe storm event. A large portion of shingles were blown off the roof, and a horizontal crack formed in a major section of the hall.

“For safety reasons, entry into the building is strictly prohibited as we address these structural concerns. While initial observations suggest that strong winds may have lifted the soffit, causing the roof to shift and break a mortar joint separating it from the wall, these are only early speculations. A professional assessment is necessary to determine the full extent of the damage.

“We would like to extend our heartfelt thanks to the Holly Fire Department and Chief Watson for their swift response and assistance. Not only did they ensure the scene was safe, but they also provided valuable information and suggestions during a very stressful time. Their professionalism and support mean so much to us.

“We are deeply grateful that no one was injured during this event. However, due to the damage, all rentals and gatherings at our Post are suspended until further notice. We will share updates as soon as we have more information. Thank you for your understanding and continued support during this challenging time.”

On Monday, the Post announced it has reached out to other veteran organizations in Holly, including Post 5587 and the Holly Area Veterans Resource Center, to ensure meetings and operations can continue while repair work is done on the building.

The Enhanced Fujita Scale (EF Scale)

The Enhanced Fujita Scale or EF Scale, which became operational on Feb. 1, 2007, is used to assign a tornado a ‘rating’ based on estimated wind speeds and related damage. When tornado-related damage is surveyed, it is compared to a list of Damage Indicators (DIs) and Degrees of Damage (DoD) which help estimate better the range of wind speeds the tornado likely produced. From that, a rating (from EF0 to EF5) is assigned.

The EF Scale was revised from the original Fujita Scale to reflect better examinations of tornado damage surveys so as to align wind speeds more closely with associated storm damage. The new scale has to do with how most structures are designed.

EF Scale – 3 Second Gust (mph)

EF-0 — 65-85 mph

EF-1 — 86-110 mph

EF-2 — 111-135 mph

EF-3 — 136-165 mph

EF-4 — 166-200 mph

EF-5 — Over 200 mph

The EF scale still is a set of wind estimates (not measurements) based on damage. Its uses three-second gusts estimated at the point of damage based on a judgment of 8 levels of damage to the 28 indicators listed below. These estimates vary with height and exposure. Important: The 3 second gust is not the same wind as in standard surface observations. Standard measurements are taken by weather stations in open exposures, using a directly measured, “one minute mile” speed.

Source: weather.gov

The Holly Area Veterans Resource Center (HAVRC) has moved to 1006 N. Saginaw St., Suite C, Holly.

Currently, the main office is open Tuesdays and Wednesdays from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. A new outdoor sign will be installed soon.

Katrina Gramer, co-director of HAVRC, who is a service officer and a Navy veteran, asks that veterans or their family members call her for an appointment at (810) 623-8002 or email katrina.gramer@va.gov. She is in the office Monday through Friday.

The center’s new email is info@hollyvetcenter.org, the new phone number is (810) 369-8340 and the new website is hollyvetcenter.org. You also can find HAVRC on Facebook.

Joe Mishler, co-director of HAVRC, said the veterans’ resource center will do every thing they can to help veterans, however, they cannot give out money.

Recently, the Community Foundation of Greater Flint awarded them a $30,000 grant for renovation and moving to the new facility. Last spring HAVRC received a $15,000 grant from the Harding Mott Foundation through Holly Township.

Mishler said a great deal has happened over the past six months. There are many people who have helped make this move possible. “We could not have done two moves and the renovation without all of their help,” he said. “Helpers included Jason and Katrina Gramer, Eric Toth, Bryon and Norma Glock, Chris and Tina Thurlow, Gary and Linda Scott, Mike Nau, Mike Beauchamp, Jeff Blasco, Linda Mishler, Amy Hillman, Karen Winchester, Deb Crump, Rhonda Mohlman, Karen Healy, Sam George, Debra Green, Robert and Patty Smith, Jim and Arlene Aldredge, members of the Holly High School football team, and members of the Holly Middle School National Junior Honor Society. Thank you to everyone of you!”

Mishler added that they greatly appreciate the support given to them by the Holly Nazarene Church. “We were with them until the first of October. They gave us time to get our feet back on the ground. Holly is truly a veteran friendly community,” Mishler said.

The grand opening of the new location was held Oct. 3. The first women’s forum had more than 35 participants.

The Hometown Heroes Project committee has been busy. There are 49 ribbons on the tree in front of Holly Elementary. “Thanks to Linda Scott and Mike Patterson for keeping the project going,” Mishler said.

If you know of someone entering the service or coming out of the service, contact the HAVRC.

The monthly Vet-to-Vet Dinners have been growing over the summer. Mishler and Gramer offer their thanks to Patty Smith for taking charge of the project. The American Legion also has provided storage space. The dinners are free at the American Legion post on the third Monday of each month. It is open to veterans, their families, and their friends. Dinner starts at 5:30 p.m. and there is a guest speaker.

The HAVRC has increased its board and they have a new treasurer. The current board consists of Mike Patterson, Eric Toth, Tina Thurlow, Gary Scott, Bryon Glock, Stewart Deroo, Linda Stouffer, Karen Healy. Board President is Joe Mishler, Vice President Katrina Gramer, Secretary Patty Smith, and the new treasurer is Linda Mishler.

Art Ingraham was the treasurer since the inception of the center. He resigned over the summer. Mishler said Ingraham did a great job as treasurer and helped them stay financially sound. “We greatly appreciate the work that Art did on our part,” he said.

HAVRC held its first POW/MIA service in Holly on Sept. 20 at the Purple Heart Monument.

If you are interested in working in the HAVRC office, contact the center.

A unique fundraiser from Pam Buerger of Linden is underway. Mishler said she made a beautiful stained glass art piece for the center. She also has created handmade 3½- by 3-inch fused glass patriotic ornaments, just in time for Christmas. They are $25 each and proceeds go to HAVRC. They are available for purchase at the center. Buerger’s husband was U.S. Navy veteran and a Vietnam veteran who passed away from Agent Orange complications.

Amy Hillman and her husband provided a monetary donation from a canoe trip fundraiser they organized. “We also thank Amy Hillman and Hilary Allgeyer for the donation for the Cornhole Tournament they put on for HAVRC. They are great supporters of HAVRC, and we look forward to working with them on future projects,” Mishler said.

Mishler said they are looking to form peer groups. Contact the center if interested.