Powerful thunderstorms leave damage across St. Joseph County

ST. JOSEPH, Mich. -- Powerful overnight thunderstorms swept through parts of Michiana, bringing down trees, damaging homes, and knocking out power to tens of thousands of residents.

Indiana Michigan Power reports that service in Indiana should be fully restored by Friday evening, but some areas in southwest Michigan may not see the lights come back on until as late as 11 p.m. Saturday.

In St. Joseph, Michigan, one of the hardest-hit areas, cleanup is underway as residents survey the damage and wait for power to return.

"I’m looking forward to getting the power back on that’s for sure,” said Julie Beam, a teacher at St. Joseph High School. “They’re thinking maybe tomorrow."

Beam recalled the frightening moments the storm hit. "It felt like it could have been a tornado, just the sound of it,” she said. “I did hear a really loud sound, and that was around the time I saw a flash outside. My windows looked like they had salad all over them just covered in debris."

Many in Berrien County who spoke with ABC57’s Jackie Bauer were thankful to have generators.

Others, while still without electricity, were keeping their spirits up. One resident joked that he’s looking forward to a fridge full of fresh condiments once the power comes back on.

Across the city, fallen branches line the streets, while the winds were so powerful they were able to knock one said boat at the West Basin Marina on its side.

On the other side of the river, the damage was just as severe. One family just avoided injury when they made it to their basement just before trees came crashing down on their home.

No injuries have been reported so far as clean-up efforts continue.