This blog post summarizes an Extreme Weather Emergency Tour stop in Lansing, Michigan. Local leaders and climate experts sounded the alarm about the growing impacts of climate change-driven extreme weather.
It covers scientific explanations for shifting storm patterns and local storm damage and costs. The disproportionate impacts on vulnerable groups and recommended policy and preparedness actions to build resilience are also discussed.
Why Lansing matters in the discussion of extreme weather
Lansing’s recent event brought together Mayor Andy Schor, state lawmakers, and climate advocates. They aimed to connect national climate science with on-the-ground impacts in Michigan.
This gathering highlights a regional reality. What was once considered “tornado alley” is shifting eastward, increasing the frequency and severity of storms in the Great Lakes region.
Science behind the shift and what it means for Michigan
Atmospheric moisture and instability matter. As Elizabeth Hauptman of Moms Clean Air Force Michigan explained, warmer air holds more moisture, which increases atmospheric instability and fuels stronger storms.
The basic physics is well-established. Increased water vapor and heat energy provide more fuel for convective storms and tornado-producing supercells.
Michigan’s 2025 tornado statistics are already a warning signal. With 30 recorded tornadoes this year, the state is experiencing one of its historically active seasons.
Currently, Michigan ranks sixth for most tornadoes in state history. That trend aligns with the scientific expectation of shifting storm tracks as the climate warms.
Local costs, individual stories, and systemic vulnerabilities
Events in Lansing and Eaton County are illustrative. Mayor Schor recounted the May 15 tornado that swept through the area.
The city’s public service department spent $205,000 just clearing downed trees. Utility repair bills ran into the millions, and residents also faced significant, uncompensated losses.
Who is hit hardest — and why policy must reflect equity
State Representative Emily Dievendorf emphasized that extreme weather exacerbates existing inequities. Renters, uninsured small businesses, seniors, and people with disabilities often lack the resources to recover quickly after a disaster.
Power outages are a particular danger. For example, diabetics can lose access to refrigerated medication during extended outages, turning a utility failure into a life-or-death emergency.
Personal observations underscore the systemic shift. Hauptman shared that her lake failed to freeze for two consecutive winters, a poignant example of how warming affects local livelihoods and traditions like ice fishing.
These personal anecdotes help translate abstract climate data into lived experience.
Recommendations for resilient communities and policy action
Based on decades of observing extreme weather, public health, and infrastructure trends, communities need to pair mitigation with practical adaptation.
Organizers at the Lansing event urged federal leaders to continue investing in clean energy and to avoid rolling back climate protections — both essential to slow future warming and reduce long-term risk.
Concrete resilience measures include:
Here is the source article for this story: How Lansing is preparing to respond to a weather emergency