Severe storms sweeping through southwest Michigan on Friday, March 6, produced tornado warnings and at least one confirmed tornado that damaged homes, businesses, and infrastructure across Cass and St. Joseph counties.

Emergency officials say the storms moved through the region during the afternoon, triggering tornado warnings issued by the National Weather Service for both counties. The warnings were in effect for much of the mid-afternoon as powerful thunderstorms moved across the Michigan-Indiana border region.

Preliminary reports indicate the tornado caused widespread damage, particularly in and around the city of Three Rivers in St. Joseph County. Video from the area showed significant structural damage, including part of the roof being torn from a Menards home-improvement store.

Damage Reported in Cass County

In Cass County, storm damage was reported near Edwardsburg and other nearby communities. A home on Conrad Road reportedly sustained heavy damage as strong winds toppled trees and scattered debris across the area.

Residents across both counties also reported numerous downed trees and damaged buildings as the storms tracked northeast through the region.

Ongoing Assessments

The National Weather Service confirmed that at least one tornado touched down in St. Joseph County, while additional damage surveys are expected to determine whether more tornadoes occurred during the storm system.

Emergency crews and utility workers began assessing damage and clearing debris Friday evening as storms moved out of the area. At this stage, officials have not released a full damage estimate, and it was not immediately clear whether there were any injuries.

Authorities are urging residents to remain cautious around damaged structures, downed trees, and potential power line hazards as cleanup efforts continue.