Shattered Lives: The Blade's continuing coverage of June 5 tornadoes

Authorities in a helicopter survey the Lake Township area of a house that was destroyed off of 795 near Cummings Road after the tornado.

As each new severe weather system passes through northwest Ohio and southeast Michigan, many residents are more vigilant, more worried, and perhaps more prepared.

Their attention to the forces of nature were heightened by the deadly tornadoes and storms that raced through the area June 5, 2010.

Six people were killed. Lake High School was blown to smithereens. Dozens of homes and businesses were damaged -- some beyond repair.

Volunteers and agencies responded to the disaster not only with shelter, food, clothing, supplies, and cash but also with their own hands, clearing away debris and sorting through the wreckage to salvage personal belongings.

The Blade was on scene that very night, photographing smashed homes and emergency responders. Aerial and ground images portrayed the extensive damage in communities such as Lake Township and Dundee, Mich.

We shared survivors' tales, detailed the science of such storms, and offered updates on siren testings, recovery funding and relief work.

Collected here are the images, stories and editorials of The Blade's coverage of the June 5 tornadoes.