Tornadoes tore through southern Michigan on Friday evening, leaving four people dead and at least 12 others injured. The storms hit Branch and Cass counties with little warning, flattening homes and scattering debris across rural roads. Emergency responders arrived within minutes of the first reports to begin search and rescue operations.
Branch County Sheriff John Miller confirmed that three of the four fatalities occurred in the village of Union City. “We found victims in the rubble of two separate homes,” Miller said. A fourth person died in Cass County when a tornado struck a mobile home park near the town of Vandalia. The 12 injured individuals received treatment at local hospitals, with three listed in critical condition as of Saturday morning.
Michigan State Police established command centers in both counties to coordinate rescue efforts. Crews used heavy equipment to clear fallen trees from highways, allowing ambulances and fire trucks to reach isolated areas. The National Weather Service dispatched survey teams to determine the strength and path of the tornadoes.
Union City resident Patricia Hammond described the storm’s arrival. “The sky turned green, and then the windows exploded,” she said. “We ran to the basement just as the roof tore off.” Hammond and her husband escaped injury, though their home sustained major damage.
Vandalia resident Robert Chen reported similar chaos. “I heard the freight train sound everyone talks about,” Chen said. “Thirty seconds later, my neighbor’s house was gone.”
Utility crews worked through the night to restore power to approximately 8,000 homes and businesses left without electricity. Officials warned that downed power lines posed ongoing safety risks in affected areas. The American Red Cross opened two emergency shelters for displaced residents.
Governor Gretchen Whitmer declared a state of emergency for both counties, unlocking state resources for recovery efforts. The declaration also opened the door to potential federal assistance if damage estimates meet required thresholds. “We will stand with these communities every step of the way,” Whitmer said in a statement released Saturday afternoon.
Cleanup crews started removing debris from public roads by midday Saturday. Local churches and volunteer organizations distributed food and water to storm victims. Officials urged residents to avoid damaged structures until building inspectors could assess their safety.
The National Weather Service predicted additional storms for the region Sunday, complicating early recovery efforts. Emergency managers advised residents to monitor weather alerts and identify nearby shelter locations.
