Michigan Tornado 2026: Union City and Three Rivers MI Devastated, 4 Dead After Deadly Tornado Outbreak

A catastrophic tornado outbreak tore through southwest Michigan on Friday, March 6, killing at least four people and injuring a dozen more. The Michigan tornado struck hardest near Union City, MI and Three Rivers, MI, leaving behind a wide corridor of destruction that has shocked communities and prompted a statewide emergency response.

Union City Michigan Tornado Kills Three Near Union Lake

A tornado struck the Union Lake area Friday afternoon, leaving three people dead and twelve others injured in the Union City, MI area. Of those injured, three people were taken to the hospital for treatment.

The Branch County Medical Examiner was placed on scene in Union City after the tornado swept through the area. News crews reported cars flipped over and homes completely destroyed.

In the Union City area, crews observed the storm snapping trees and 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.

Sheriff Fred Blankenship urged the public to stay away from the affected neighborhoods to ensure emergency personnel could work safely. Residents should prepare for ongoing power outages and communication disruptions as recovery operations continue.

Three Rivers Michigan Tornado Destroys Menards, Damages Hospital

A twister was seen damaging the Three Rivers area, including ripping the roof off a Menards store and pulling apart a storage unit. The tornado struck along a busy retail corridor on US-131.

Three Rivers Health Hospital and several clinics on its campus sustained damage. No staff or patients were hurt, and Beacon Health System confirmed the facility remained open without interruption.

News crews saw Three Rivers homes with major damage, including walls and roofs ripped off. A resident who moved to the area from Kentucky described the scene as "insane," adding that the family was glad everyone survived.

NWS Tornado Warnings Tracked Storm Across 50 Miles

A powerful storm system moved through southern Michigan, with a storm cell producing tornadic conditions barreling through Cass, St. Joseph, and Branch counties, leaving damage across 50 miles between Edwardsburg, Three Rivers, and Union City, according to the National Weather Service.

The National Weather Service issued 10 tornado warnings starting at 3:15 p.m. and ending at 6:30 p.m. ET, though a severe thunderstorm watch remained in effect for parts of Illinois, Indiana, and Michigan until 11 p.m.

Tornadoes were spotted in the areas of Edwardsburg and Juno Lake in Cass County around 3:15 p.m. ET, as well as Union City in Branch County shortly after 4:30 p.m. ET, according to NWS.

Michigan Tornado 2026 Death Toll and Power Outages

Four people were killed as a strong storm ripped through southwest Michigan Friday, spawning at least three tornadoes. Three people were killed when the tornado hit the Union City area, and one person was confirmed dead after a tornado in the Edwardsburg area in Cass County.

Indiana Michigan Power reported more than 5,500 of its customers in southwest Michigan, predominantly in the Three Rivers area, were without power. Midwest Energy and Communications, serving parts of southwest Michigan, reported another 1,300 customers without power.

Consumers Energy set up a mobile command center in Union City Friday night to help coordinate their response, with some 2,200 Consumers Energy Calhoun County customers also without power.

Governor Whitmer Activates Michigan State Emergency Operations Center

Michigan Governor Gretchen Whitmer activated the State Emergency Operations Center on Friday night to coordinate a response to the severe weather in southwestern Michigan, stating she wanted to ensure the state could monitor and respond to local requests.

If the tornado in Union City is rated EF3 or higher, it would be the earliest on record for the state of Michigan. The National Weather Service survey crews are expected to assess tornado-damaged areas to determine an official rating.

Residents across Branch, Cass, and St. Joseph counties are urged to avoid damaged structures, stay clear of downed power lines, and continue monitoring local live weather updates as cleanup and recovery operations extend into the weekend.