Severe thunderstorm warning issued for Iron County, gusts up to 60 mph

A severe thunderstorm warning put southwestern Iron County and southeastern Gogebic County on alert Friday evening, with the National Weather Service warning of wind gusts up to 60 mph and possible damage to roofs, siding and trees.

The warning was issued at 5:41 p.m. CDT and was set to expire at 6:30 p.m. CDT. National Weather Service Marquette said the storm was over Phelps, Wisconsin, about 15 miles northeast of Eagle River, and was moving northeast at about 30 mph. The hazard was radar-indicated, and the hail threat was listed at less than three-quarters of an inch.

In Iron County, the warning covered Iron River, Stambaugh, Hagerman Lake, Tamarack Lake, Golden Lake and Mineral Hills. Neighboring parts of Gogebic County were also included, keeping the threat centered on the western Upper Michigan corridor where a fast-moving line of summer storms can quickly disrupt evening traffic, outdoor work and power service.

The warning came as another reminder of how quickly severe weather can turn disruptive in this region. National Weather Service Marquette’s event summaries list prior severe-weather episodes in the area, including a June 11, 2017 severe thunderstorm event in Dickinson and Iron counties and a July 11, 2016 event in Gogebic County that brought tornado, straight-line winds and flash flooding.

The National Weather Service says a severe thunderstorm warning means severe thunderstorms are occurring in the area. Its safety guidance is simple and urgent: move to an interior room on the lowest floor of a building.

That matters most in places like Iron River and the surrounding lake country, where exposed roads, scattered trees and seasonal outdoor activity can leave people vulnerable when strong winds hit. Even without major damage reports surfacing immediately, the warning signaled a short window of risk for drivers, property owners and anyone working outdoors as the storm tracked northeast toward Upper Michigan.