Tornadoes in Southwest Michigan Result in 4 Fatalities and Multiple Injuries

A devastating storm swept through Southwest Michigan on Friday, resulting in the tragic loss of four lives and leaving a path of destruction in its wake. At least three tornadoes were confirmed to have touched down during the severe weather event.

Authorities have yet to release the identities of the deceased.

In Union City, three individuals lost their lives as a tornado tore through the area, according to the Branch County Sheriff’s Office. Alongside the fatalities, twelve people sustained injuries, with three requiring hospitalization for more serious conditions.

“Our hearts go out to those who have suffered the loss of loved ones and property due to this disaster,” the Branch County Sheriff’s Office expressed in a statement.

Meanwhile, another tornado in the Edwardsburg area claimed the life of one person, as confirmed by Cass County officials. Several others were reported injured in the aftermath of the storm.

“Our thoughts are with those who have lost family, friends, and property during this incident,” the Branch County Sheriff’s Office said.

One person was confirmed dead after a tornado in the Edwardsburg area, Cass County officials said, and “several” were injured.

The strong storms and tornadoes left behind a path of damage in the Edwardsburg, Three Rivers and Union City areas, also knocking out power to thousands.

Around 3:15 p.m., a tornado warning was issued for a storm near Cassopolis. The tornadic supercell then tracked into St. Joseph County, where a confirmed tornado touched down near Three Rivers around 4 p.m. Preliminary reports show damage consistent at least with an EF2 tornado along US-131 and Broadway Street.

Shortly thereafter, the National Weather Service confirmed the tornado was on the ground tracking toward Mendon along M-60.

While the tornado may have lifted for several minutes, another touchdown was confirmed near Union City around 4:40 p.m. Video sent to News 8 by viewers shows a large spinning cloud.

The storm prompted tornado warnings in St. Joseph, Branch and Cass counties. Hail was also confirmed along the storm’s path, reaching 1.25 inches in Athens and about half an inch in Union City.

The state’s Emergency Operations Center near Lansing was activated in the wake of the storm, the Michigan State Police Emergency Management and Homeland Security Division said. The agency said the operations center was monitoring the situation and prepared to respond if locals need help.

BUILDINGS ‘PICKED APART LIKE MATCH STICKS’

In the Union City area, News 8 saw that the storm snapped trees, bringing them down on top of houses on Tuttle Road on the north side of Union Lake. Union City officials reported “significant storm damage” around the lake and downtown.

“Village crews, emergency responders, and utility workers are actively working to assess damage and clear debris,” a post on the city’s Facebook page said.

People were asked to stay away from affected areas so crews could do their jobs, as well as stay away from unstable buildings and downed power lines.

People near Union Lake recorded video of a huge spinning cloud tossing debris around as the wind roared.

“I actually got confirmation of a tornado, so I ran upstairs to try and catch my dog … and just as I grabbed him, I looked and the tornado was across the lake behind me. And I just walked outside the door and filmed it,” Pamela Willison told News 8. “Sounded like a freight train. I’ve never been so scared in my life.”

She and her neighbor Chris Isbell watched as the twister destroyed structures across the lake.

“The debris was flying everywhere,” Isbell described.

“You just watched it pick those houses apart like match sticks,” Willison said. “It was crazy. I don’t ever want to experience that again.”

STRUCTURES DESTROYED NEAR EDWARSBURG

Cass County reported tornado damage from the area of Conrad Road west of Edwardsburg to M-62. There were “multiple large structures” including homes and pole barns were damaged or destroyed. Some 500 homes and businesses were without power as of Friday night.

Cass County has declared a local state of emergency, citing “extensive” damage to homes and other buildings.

County leaders said “local resources are being utilized to their fullest extent,” but that more help may be needed to clean everything up. Officials expected to conduct damage assessments in coming days.

The American Red Cross was helping people in the area, the count said.

BACK OF MENARDS COLLAPSES

In Three Rivers, the back of a Menards at US-131 and Broadway Road collapsed. Part of the roof and front sign were torn away.

Lindsey Whitaker saw it happen as she and her family were driving through.

“(We) had gotten the alert that there was a tornado in the area but when we looked, there was nothing. It was just dark and overcast. And then all of the sudden, the clouds were doing something funky…” she told News 8 over the phone.

She posted video online of the clouds swirling and lots of debris in the sky, then roofing being torn from the Menards and a nearby storage unit.

But moments later, she told News 8, the sky cleared. She and her family were unharmed.

Storm Team 8 Chief Meteorologist Ellen Bacca arrived in Three Rivers within minutes of the tornado. Initially, she said, people were stunned. Soon, their stories started to come out.

“Some folks that were in a car and the glass shattered, the tornado pushed them down … 131,” Bacca said. “A Menards employee … said the warning went off. She saw a family trying to get into the building. She had to force the doors open because the wind was so strong and and let this family with two small children in right before the tornado hit.”

Three Rivers Health Hospital and “several clinics” on its campus sustained damage, Beacon Health System confirmed. No staff or patients were hurt.

Beacon said even as its teams were assessing the damage, it remained open “without interruption.”

“The safety of patients, visitors, and associates is our top priority, and our care teams are ready to serve those in need. Three Rivers Health extends its thoughts to all those in the community affected by today’s storm, and updates will be provided as additional information becomes available,” Beacon said in a statement.

‘A ROOF COMING TOWARD OUR HOUSE’

News 8 crews saw Three Rivers homes with major damage, including walls and roofs ripped off. Cars were flipped over. Damage to traffic signals and power lines and poles was also visible throughout town.

In the area of 4th Avenue and Jefferson Street, the storm flattened a two-car garage and sheared a wall away from a home, exposing the bathroom. Furniture and a refrigerator were tossed around by the strong winds.

Tiffany and Dennis Little, the owners of the home that lost a wall, told News 8 they took cover before the storm hit. 

“(My daughter) was looking out the window to see if it was raining and it hadn’t even started raining yet. And she said, ‘Mom, look, there’s a roof coming toward our house!’ And immediately, chaos started happening,” Tiffany Little said. 

They hurried to the basement. 

“We walked out to this,” Little said, referring to the missing wall and destroyed garage.

The family was unharmed. They are hopeful homeowner’s insurance will cover all the damage.

“I’m glad everyone’s OK,” Little said. “We’re just going to have to rebuild.” 

The family bought the house in 2022 after moving to the area from Kentucky. 

“Tornado alley. Missed that our entire lives and then come up here and get slammed with a tornado. What’s going on with that?” Little said. 

“It’s insane,” she added. “It’s insane.” 

But she said she took heart after seeing an American flag in a nearby cemetery remained standing. 

“(It’s) a beautiful sight. It gives me hope,” she said. 

Nearby, Brittney Luker-Gobel surveyed the damage in the neighborhood a mess of debris and downed trees. 

“It’s sad. That’s the most I can get from it. It’s just sad,” Luker-Gobel, who has lived in the area all her life, said. “I know a bunch of people that live in this area and they all got hit pretty hard and whatnot.” 

“It’s kind of what’s the word? unreal,” she continued. 

She lives a short distance away. Her apartment complex and neighborhood escaped the storm unscathed she said. 

Other residents told News 8 only five minutes passed between getting an alert about a tornado warning and watching the spinning winds touch down in their town.

Three Rivers Community Schools delayed dismissal as the storm moved through, keeping students inside until at least 4:25 p.m.

“Please note that there is damage throughout the surrounding area and bus drop off will be delayed. We hope all are safe and appreciate your patience during this period of severe weather,” officials said in a social media post.

The St. Joseph County Sheriff’s Office asked people to avoid going to affected areas while crews work to clear them. If you’re worried about someone who is unaccounted for, call 911.

WEST MICHIGAN’S DEADLIEST TORNADO OUTBREAK IN DECADES

With deaths in both Cass and Branch counties, Friday’s tornado outbreak is West Michigan’s deadliest in decades, Storm Team 8 says.

The last time someone died in a tornado in West Michigan was July 21, 1983, when an F2 tornado hit the Saugatuck area. Three years earlier, on May 13, 1980, an F3 tornado hit downtown Kalamazoo, killing five people and injuring nearly 80.

The last time anyone in Michigan died during a tornado was 2023, when a tornado rushed along I-96 near Webberville, killing two people.

—Storm Team 8‘s Ellen Bacca and Blake Harms and News 8’s Nicole Tam and Adriana Doria contributed to this report.