High Winds Topple Gas Station Awning in Sterling Heights

Powerful gusts cause damage across Southeast Michigan

Mar. 13, 2026 at 9:26pm

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High winds in Southeast Michigan on Thursday led to the collapse of a gas station awning in Sterling Heights, with residents reporting a loud thump as the structure came down. The incident occurred at a station on 18 Mile Road, where some pumps will be out of service as the damage is assessed and repairs are made.

Why it matters

The collapse of the gas station awning highlights the impact of the high winds that have been affecting the region, with gusts reaching over 70 miles per hour and causing widespread power outages and other damage across Southeast Michigan.

The details

Witness Randy Putrus said he was working at the gas station when he heard the loud thump of the awning collapsing. A man who declined to be identified told CBS News Detroit that the high wind speeds were likely the cause, as the pillars holding up the awning were not made of brick.

  • The high wind warning went into effect early Friday and will remain in effect for Metro Detroit until about 10 p.m. Friday.

The players

Randy Putrus

A witness who was working at the gas station when the awning collapsed.

Unidentified man

A man who declined to be identified but told CBS News Detroit that the high wind speeds were likely the cause of the awning collapse, as the pillars holding it up were not made of brick.

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What they’re saying

“I was just working, I had a couple of customers, and I just heard a big like thump. I've never seen something like that in my life.”

— Randy Putrus

What’s next

The gas station will need to assess the damage and make repairs to the collapsed awning before the pumps can be fully operational again.

The takeaway

This incident serves as a stark reminder of the power of high winds and the need for businesses and communities to be prepared for severe weather events that can cause significant damage to infrastructure and disrupt daily operations.