Lakeshore buffeted by high winds

HOLLAND, Mich. (WOOD) - On the first day of winter, a storm rolled across West Michigan that brought high winds, some snow and tricky driving conditions along the lakeshore.

In Holland, a shelter was opened at Central Weslyan Church, 446 W. 40th Street, to help those people affected by a power outage in the area of Graafschaap Road. The power may not be back on until midnight, officials said.

In Oceana County, a school bus hit a downed tree during whiteout conditions. None of the students or the driver was hurt in that 8 a.m. Friday collision.

Winds will continue to gust until mid-afternoon. Friday morning, winds hit 60 mph in Holland and 70 mph in South Haven.

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The Associated Press reports rescue crews freed a woman in southwestern Michigan who was pinned after a tree fell on a home during a snowstorm hitting the Midwest.

WSBT-TV reports the woman was trapped Friday morning in Niles and family members couldn't free her.

Rescue crews got the woman out. The woman reportedly didn't have external injuries, but was taken to a hospital as a precaution.

Also in southwestern Michigan, strong winds knocked down a large tree Friday morning onto a home in Ottawa County's Park Township. The Holland Sentinel reports the tree fell into Pat and Hank Walczak's bedroom. They weren't in the room, however, and they weren't injured.

Pat Walczak says she got up early to wrap Christmas presents and the "whole house shook" when it was hit by the tree.

24 Hour News 8 will continue to follow these developments.

Stay with Storm Team 8 and 24 Hour News 8 for the latest information.