National Weather Service Weather Forecast Office

10 years ago - A remembrance event for the Gaylord community

Radar imagery of storms as they moved across the area.  The image on the right is a velocity image, showing the strong inbound velocities (light green color) as the storm moved into Otsego County. 

The La Seniorita restaurant had a large portion of its roof torn off and a large shed blown over.  Many businesses along the M-32 corridor received varying amounts of damage. The most extensive damage occurred at the Norandex Building Supply Company just north of downtown, where a large cinder block warehouse was largely destroyed.  As its walls collapsed, the metal roof and steel trusses were torn off. The roof, steel trusses and large chunks of cinder block debris were blown approximately 350 yards into the Gaylord High School, causing damage to the front of the building.

 A covered walkway at the front of the school was partially collapsed as it was struck by debris from the building supply warehouse. The strong winds and flying debris also damaged the roof and shattered many windows at the High School.  Most light posts in the parking lot of the school were toppled or badly bent.  At the Intermediate School, roof damage and many shattered windows were also reported.  In addition, the Intermediate School’s athletic field press box was toppled onto the bleachers.  The North Ohio Elementary School lost 2/3 of its gymnasium roof and also suffered broken windows. As a result of the damage, Gaylord Area schools were closed for three days in the wake of the storm.