This was a bad day at my agency today (A tornado that hit in Michigan
Derek Wallbank and Ryan Loew
Lansing State Journal
UPDATED 3:35 p.m. - The National Weather Service this afternoon confirmed a tornado touched down producing major damage in Williamston overnight.
The EF2-class tornado with winds up to 130 miles per hour claimed the lives of Duane and Susan Bentley.
Divers recovered their bodies this morning, after the overnight tornado tossed their modular home into a nearby man-made pond.
The Bentleys were spending their first night in the home at 3227 Haslett Road, according to information sheriff's personnel received from family members.
Autopsies have not been completed, but officials said the couple's deaths will be declared storm-related.
Dan Cobb, one of two National Weather Service meteorologists in the area assessing damage, said the tornado's swath was 150 yards to 300 yards wide in places.
Officials said a second emergency shelter at Webberville High School has been set up, partly because Williamston High School is without power. Residents can still go to Williamston High or call 911 if they need help.
"At this point, if you have nothing in town you need to be here for, don't come into town," Williamston Mayor Kenneth Zichi said. "The more people who are here, the harder it is for (emergency personnel) to do their jobs.") The Bentley's were my clients this was one of the hardest thing I ever had to do is talk to the family . Tornado are a horrible thing
.Some photo's the first one is what is left of the bentley's home.
The rest of Williamston .
