FOG BLOG WEATHER LOG: TORNADO RIPS THROUGH NORTHERN MICHIGAN TOWN OF GAYLORD, RIPS THROUGH BUILDINGS

One dead, more than 40 injured as Michigan tornado causes 'catastrophic' damage A tornado quickly moved through the town of Gaylord in the northern Lower Peninsula of Michigan Friday afternoon, leaving one person dead and 43 injured, officials said.

Lt. Jim Gorno of the Michigan Department of Natural Resources described the scene in the area as being "catastrophic," with cars flipped over and structures destroyed.

Munson Healthcare spokesperson Brian Lawson told CNN 23 injured patients were taken to Otsego Memorial Hospital and 12 to Grayling Hospital. Eight people were treated at other hospitals outside Munson system, he said. Michigan State Police said the number of injured is 44.

The city is under a curfew until 8 a.m., officials said.

The tornado hit the area about 3:48 p.m., weather officials said.

"It is a busy downtown area, and it went right through it," Gorno told CNN. "We aren't used to it up here," he said. "We don't have sirens like in other parts of the country."

According to the state's website, Michigan averages just 15 tornadoes per year.

Gaylord council member Jordan Awrey said some establishments and businesses in the area now look like they'd "never been there."

"The town is devastated," said Awrey, adding he is confident his community will be able to come together and rebuild. The council member's brother, Gabe Awrey, was driving home when the tornado hit. By the time he made it to his street, he saw it had been blocked off. The 25-year-old then parked his car across the street before making his way home on foot.

"When I first arrived there was debris in the front and backyard," he said, adding cars belonging to his neighbors were also destroyed. "The building directly to the west of us, their whole roof blew onto our property."