Tornado death toll rises to 8 in Union City, Edwardsburg and Oklahoma counties in Michigan and Oklahoma
at least eight people have dead An outbreak of severe weather caused multiple destructive tornadoes in parts of the Midwest and Plains, injuring dozens of people. Severe storms on March 6 caused widespread damage to communities in Michigan and Oklahoma.
Tornadoes cause major damage in Michigan
One of the most powerful storms moved across southern Michigan on the afternoon of March 6, spawning at least one confirmed tornado. The storm moved through Cass, St. Joseph and Branch counties, causing damage about 50 miles between Edwardsburg, Three Rivers and Union City, according to the National Weather Service office in northern Indiana.
Storm trackers, trained observers, broadcast media and public video confirmed that at least one “large and extremely dangerous” tornado was reported near Three Rivers in St. Joseph County.
The heaviest damage occurred Friday night in Union City, Michigan, a town of about 1,700 people just west of Interstate 69, USA Today reported. Homes along the St. Joseph River were destroyed beyond recognition after a powerful tornado struck the area.
The tornado that affected Sanhe struck around 3:50 pm local time on March 6. Storm chasers and emergency managers said the tornado touched down several times before causing damage on the city’s southwest side just before 4 p.m.
Officials said several large structures, including homes and pole barns, were severely damaged or completely destroyed.
Deaths and injuries reported
according to weatherAuthorities reported casualties in multiple communities following the storm.
- Union City, Michigan: 3 dead, 12 injured. Three people were transported to local hospitals after the storm moved through the Lake Union area.
- Edwardsburg, Michigan: One person dead and several injured.
- Okmulgee County, Oklahoma: Two deaths.
- Major County, Oklahoma: Two people died Thursday night due to severe weather.
Emergency response and warnings
Emergency crews rushed to the damaged area, and officials asked residents to avoid affected locations so first responders could work safely.
“We’re getting a lot of damage reports, so we don’t have exact numbers to report,” said Maddy Johnson, a meteorologist with the Office of the Weather Service. “We do know that there were several homes damaged on the north side of Lake Union in Union City, Michigan.”
Forecasters also warned that more severe weather, including damaging winds, large hail and possible tornadoes, could continue to affect parts of the South and Midwest.
