Third storm in third day causes major damage throughout county. 

Several trees came down in the yard of Dave and Rachel Bendele on Schoenherr Road in Branch Township. Across the street, pig barns were destroyed.

Custer firefighters close off South Main Street in the village.

Third storm in third day causes major damage throughout county. 

By Rob Alway, Editor-in-Chief

A fast moving storm, the third storm in three days, made its way across Mason County Tuesday about 6:45 p.m. Within minutes of the storm hitting land, fire departments were being dispatched for utility wires and trees down. Ludington Fire Department responded to dozens of such calls. Several trees also went down in Hamlin Township, as Hamlin Fire Department responded to several calls. The storm seemed to pick up strength as it hit the central part of the county. Scottville Fire Department, Branch Fire Department, Fountain Area Fire Department, and Riverton Fire Department were dispatched to various downed power lines and trees. Crews from Mason County Road Commission, law enforcement and utility workers also responded to the scenes.

Mason-Oceana 911 was so overwhelmed with calls that its dispatchers were unable to communicate with firefighters who were attempting to call the dispatch center.

Ludington Fire Department responded to a possible fire at Lenz and Associate on Court Street. The call was a false alarm.

In Branch Township, farmer Jake Zwagerman stood by his pig barns, that held several thousands of pigs. The barns were completely destroyed by the apparent straight-lined winds that blew through the area.

The storm shut down several roads including US 10 in Branch Township, Jebavy Drive in Hamlin Township, Main Street in Custer, and Benson Road in Branch Township.

More thunderstorms are expected overnight.