Tornado death toll rises to 8 in Union City, Edwardsburg and Oklahoma counties in Michigan and Oklahoma

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.

Also read: Three Rivers Tornadoes, MI: Large tornadoes near Edwardsburg and Cassopolis amid severe weather; video

“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.