Fred Johnson, of Dexter, helps clear large tree branches from the Lesser family's property after high winds caused damage earlier in the day on Thursday. Johnson was returning the favor after members of the Lesser family rushed to help him after his Carriage Hills home was damaged in a tornado back in March of this year.

Melanie Maxwell I AnnArbor.com

• Related coverage: Violent storm hits area: 'We're going to start calling Dexter the new Kansas'
• Spring Valley Trout Farm owner: 'Amazing' storm near Dexter chops off tops of 100-foot pine trees

Area fire departments were on the scene near Dexter where heavy winds knocked trees into at least one barn and several roads during a storm around 5:30 p.m. Thursday.

Units from the County Emergency Management Division were at the scene of multiple damage reports. The Dexter Fire Department also is responding to calls.

Initial calls came in reporting a tornado touchdown. However, Marc Breckenridge, director of emergency services for Washtenaw County, said that has not been confirmed.

"It was not a tornado, but it may have been some isolated wind damage," Breckinridge said. "From what I'm hearing, there were some trees knocked down. Usually, if it's an isolated event, the fire department handles it."

Dexter Fire Chief Loren Yates, who currently is out assessing the damage with about three or four fire trucks, said they have not determined yet if it was in fact a tornado.

"We don't know for certain ... We are still just surveying it. It seems to be just the southeast section of Dexter Township," he said, adding there are a couple of outbuildings that have gone down.

Derrick Jackson of the Washtenaw County Sheriff's Office said the department was receiving calls for downed trees.

Initial reports show calls are coming in from the Island Lake Road, Donnor Road and Waterloo Road areas northwest of Dexter. Reports indicate some roads are closed due to down wires and trees.

Firefighters are asking residents to stay off Waterloo as cleanup takes place.

Initial reports also show people have reported a collapsed barn and a tree on a house. Power outages due to the storm are being reported near Chelsea.

Crews on the scene said reports indicate that no one was hurt.

View Larger Map

AnnArbor.com staff writers Katrease Stafford, Lisa Allmendinger and John Counts contributed to this report.

Staff reporter Danielle Arndt covers K-12 education for AnnArbor.com. Follow her on Twitter @DanielleArndt or email her at daniellearndt@annarbor.com.