Severe storms swept through the central United States on Friday and Saturday, leaving extensive damage and at least eight people dead — four in Oklahoma and four in Michigan.
Oklahoma Governor Kevin Stitt wrote on X that severe weather in Major County “tragically claimed the lives of a mother and daughter.” Local officials reported additional damage across the county.
In Michigan, Branch County Sheriff’s Office said a tornado touched down near Union City on Friday, killing three people and injuring 12. About 50 miles west, Cass County officials reported one fatality and said more than 500 customers were without power after a separate reported tornado.
By Saturday, rescue teams were searching under rubble for survivors while crews began clearing debris. Disaster relief workers went door to door in Union City and Three Rivers to provide meals and other assistance to affected residents.
The National Weather Service said the storms likely began in Indiana and spawned multiple tornadoes into southern Michigan. NWS meteorologist Lonnie Fisher said investigators believe there were most likely three distinct tornadoes, but teams remain on the ground to complete damage surveys and confirm the number and paths of tornadoes.
Michigan Governor Gretchen Whitmer activated the state emergency operations center to coordinate a broad response in southwestern Michigan.
The NWS warned of continued strong storms and flash-flood risk on Saturday stretching from the Great Lakes region down to Texas. Spring is the region’s peak tornado season, and forecasters noted that tornadoes can form quickly, often giving residents only minutes to seek shelter.