Michigan Tornadoes Lead Hundreds of Cows to Escape as Farming Community Rallies to Help
Two tornadoes struck west Michigan on Tuesday night, April 14, hitting Otsego and the Carson City area. The second tornado destroyed multiple barns and a dairy farm, releasing hundreds of cows into the darkness and triggering an immediate community response from neighboring farmers.
Janet Hull, co-owner of a West Michigan dairy farm in Fenick, was sheltering in her basement when the storm arrived. The sound was unmistakable.
“It sounded like a train coming through,” she told WZZM. “The house shook and it made all sorts of awful noises. When I come upstairs, it was a mess.”
Damage to the Hull Family Farm
Several structures on the farm were completely destroyed. A large equipment garage had its doors crushed and the building was heavily damaged. The home’s siding, chimney and windows also sustained damage — but no injuries were reported.
The destruction allowed hundreds of cows to escape. Emergency crews spent the night trying to round them up. According to Hull, some cattle were recovered, but many remain missing.
Janet and her husband, Bryan, a second-generation dairy farmer, milk 210 cows on 500 acres, per Dairy Farmers of America. They took over the farm in 1976, and their grandsons, Ryan and Drew, help with day-to-day operations. The Hulls grow corn and hay and also raise Angus calves and replacement heifers.
“I don’t even know how to begin. There’s barn repairs, roof repairs, animals loose, just so much,” Janet said.
Farming Community Responds Without Being Asked
Neighbors arrived immediately to help relocate displaced livestock.
Lane Grieser, a Montcalm County Farm Bureau member and friend of the Hulls, didn’t wait for an invitation, per Michigan Farm News.
“I messaged him, and (Ryan Hull) said, ‘Yeah, it hit us.’ And then he called me on his way in, telling me what was going on. And I just thought, I got to go. Not everybody knows how to deal with cows or that type of stuff — what they’re looking at, you know?”
Stephanie Schafer, who runs Jem-Lot Dairy and serves as District 5 director for Michigan Farm Bureau, described the response simply.
“You just help your neighbor out,” Schafer said. “It doesn’t matter what happens. It’s a farming community, and that’s the most important part — the community. Everybody helps everybody. … (The Hulls) know we have a truck and trailer. They know we can take 30 head (of cows) if that’s what they need.”
Schafer raised a point about animal welfare amid the chaos: “You’ve got to remember: The cows’ homes are destroyed too. Animal care is a top priority all the time for dairy farmers.”
Janet acknowledged the outpouring of support.
“I can’t thank them enough, and I appreciate each and every one of them that have showed up to help today. We couldn’t have done it without them and it’s such a great feeling to have the community pull together like this when something awful happens,” Janet said. “I don’t wish this on anyone but thank God for all the neighbors, friends and family, they are the best.”
Storm Damage Across West Michigan
The tornadoes came as part of a strong storm system Tuesday evening that brought damaging winds, heavy rain and hail about the size of golf balls across a large area of west Michigan. Some parts of the region received between one and three inches of rain overnight.
In Ronald Township, where Fenick is located, the area was described as “heavily damaged.”
“There are multiple trees and power lines/poles down as well as severe damage to homes and buildings,” the Ronald Township Fire Department wrote on Facebook. “There is also dairy cows that are on the loose. Please when you are out on the roads, use caution!”
By Wednesday morning, thousands of people were still without electricity. Hundreds of crews from Consumers Energy were sent to restore power. The National Weather Service planned to survey impacted areas Wednesday, with more thunderstorms expected Wednesday evening.
What This Means
Michigan is also under a flood watch, which will affect planting schedules. Theresa Sisung, manager of Michigan Farm Bureau’s Commodity and Regulatory Relations Department, said delays will hit some growers harder than others.
“The sugarbeet growers will be the most impacted right now since they have already started planting. I think the potato guys are starting to plant as well,” Sisung said.
For the Hulls and their neighbors, the work continues — rounding up cattle, repairing what can be saved and relying on a community that showed up without being asked.
This article was created by content specialists using various tools, including AI.
This story was originally published April 15, 2026 at 6:00 PM.
