A powerful line of severe storms produced multiple tornadoes across southwest Michigan Friday afternoon, March 6, leaving at least four people dead and more than a dozen injured across Cass, St. Joseph, and Branch counties. Authorities say the storms caused widespread destruction to homes, businesses, and infrastructure as emergency crews began recovery operations over the weekend.

The hardest-hit areas included Union City in Branch County, Three Rivers in St. Joseph County, and rural parts of Cass County near Edwardsburg, where tornadoes tore through neighborhoods and rural properties.

Fatalities and injuries

Officials say three people were killed in the Union City area of Branch County, where the tornado struck near Union Lake. Another fatality — a 12-year-old boy in Cass County, identified as Silas Anderson,  was reported after a separate tornado touched down near Edwardsburg.

Authorities also confirmed at least 12 people were injured, several seriously, in the Union City tornado. Emergency crews transported multiple victims to nearby hospitals for treatment.

Tornado strength and damage

The National Weather Service has begun surveying the damage and has already confirmed multiple tornadoes tied to the same storm system.

The Union City tornado has been rated EF-3, with estimated winds around 150 miles per hour, destroying homes and tossing debris across neighborhoods.

A tornado that hit Three Rivers in St. Joseph County was preliminarily rated EF-2, with winds near 130 mph, causing major damage to buildings and businesses.

Another tornado struck near Edwardsburg in Cass County, causing significant structural damage and the confirmed fatality there.

Officials say the storms likely involved either one long-track tornado or a family of tornadoes that developed from a single rotating supercell moving from northern Indiana into southern Michigan.

State emergency declared

In response to the destruction, Michigan Governor Gretchen Whitmer declared a state of emergency for Branch, Cass, and St. Joseph counties, allowing state resources to assist local recovery efforts.

Emergency crews from multiple counties spent the weekend clearing debris, checking damaged homes, and restoring power. Hundreds of residents were left without electricity after utility poles and power lines were knocked down by the storms.

Recovery underway

Search and recovery operations continued Saturday as authorities assessed damage across the region. Officials say the final number of tornadoes and their intensity will not be confirmed until National Weather Service damage surveys are complete.

Local officials are urging residents to avoid damaged areas, watch for downed power lines, and follow guidance from emergency responders as cleanup and recovery continue across southwest Michigan.