Tornadoes sweep through Michigan and Oklahoma, killing at least 8 people; dangerous weather still ahead

The deadly storms that struck between March 5 and 6 caused widespread damage to several communities and prompted emergency warnings in several states.

according to National Weather ServiceThe damage spanned Cass, St. Joseph and Branch counties, affecting communities from Edwardsburg to Three Rivers to Union City.

Authorities said the first tornado warning was issued for the area in the afternoon after radar detected a severe thunderstorm capable of producing a tornado near Cassopolis.

Also read: Oklahoma tornado tracker: Where are the tornadoes now? Owasso, Tulsa, Kellyville scenes

Damage reports were quickly received in Cass County, where Sheriff Clint Roach said structures including homes and agricultural buildings were severely damaged or destroyed, leaving one person dead and several others injured.

In nearby Branch County, officials reported three more deaths and more than a dozen injuries near Union City. Three injured people were taken to local hospitals.

Weather service officials said survey teams were dispatched to assess the damage and determine whether it was caused by a single tornado or multiple tornadoes.

Authorities say two people were killed when a tornado struck a home northeast of Beggs late on March 6, Okmulgee County Sheriff Eddie Rice said.

Earlier on March 5, another tornado near Fairview struck a woman and her daughter, who were killed when their vehicle was hit by the storm.

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

Weather officials reported that at least six tornadoes have been recorded in Oklahoma during the outbreak.

The Storm Prediction Center warned that about 90 million people from Texas to New York could be at risk from severe storms. Possible hazards include tornadoes, damaging winds, large hail and heavy rainfall that could cause flash flooding.

Meteorologists are also tracking expected dramatic changes in temperatures over the weekend, with parts of the Midwest and Northeast expected to experience unusually warm weather in the wake of the storm system.

Authorities in affected areas urged residents to remain alert to weather warnings and to avoid damage to buildings while recovery and damage assessments continue.