Multiple tornadoes raged across Southwest Michigan on Friday, killing at least four people and injuring around a dozen others, according to the Branch County Sheriff’s Office. The names of those lost were not immediately released.
“Our thoughts are with those who have lost family, friends, and property during this incident,” the sheriff’s office said, according to WOOD TV.
Newsweek reached out to the sheriff’s office via email on Friday night for comment and clarification.
Tornado Warning in Michigan
An emergency manager in the area reported a possible touchdown between Niles and Edwardsburg in Cass County, National Weather Service (NWS) meteorologist Megan Dodson told Newsweek, but she said that the information is “preliminary.” Damage was reported near Niles, she added.
In Edwardsburg, near the Indiana border, officials later reported downed trees and several homes that had been heavily damaged and warned residents to avoid the area. In St. Joseph County, about 34 miles northeast of Edwardsburg, the sheriff’s office told residents to “seek shelter immediately” following reports of an unconfirmed tornado, a severe thunderstorm watch and possible winds more than 60 mph.
How Much Damage Did the Tornadoes Cause?
One person was confirmed dead in the Edwardsburg area and three people were killed in the Union City area, with power knocked out for thousands across the Edwardsburg, Three Rivers and Union City quadrants. Roads may remain closed, and cellular and internet service interruptions are expected, according to Branch County Sheriff Frederick Blankenship.
The tornadoes touched down from 3 p.m. to 5 p.m. ET, bringing hail and potent winds of up to 40 mph that had a “completely devastating” effect.
Michigan Governor Gretchen Whitmer announced on X that she was activating the state’s Emergency Operations Center to “coordinate an all-hands-on-deck response to severe weather in southwestern Michigan.”
“By taking this action, we can ensure the state can monitor and respond to local requests,” Whitmer wrote in her statement. “I want to thank all the first responders on the ground who reacted quickly to keep Michiganders safe.”
The NWS issued a Special Weather Statement for parts of Michigan, advising residents to seek shelter in a sturdy structure. Some hail is expected, possibly up to a half inch in size, although most areas have no expectation for further hail.
The warning is in place until 11 p.m. ET.
Tornado Tracking: Where They Have Touched Down in Past 24 Hours
Numerous tornado reports have been issued in Kansas, Oklahoma and Texas over the past 24 hours, according to storm damage reports from USA Today.
Read the full article here
