Severe storm systems tore through the central United States on Friday and Saturday, leaving devastation and at least eight people dead. Four people were reported killed in Oklahoma and four in Michigan.
“Oklahoma: Severe weather struck Major County last night and tragically claimed the lives of a mother and daughter,” Governor Kevin Stitt posted on X.
Michigan’s Branch County Sheriff’s Office said a tornado touched down near the community of Union City on Friday, killing three people and injuring 12. “Our thoughts are with those who have lost family, friends, and property during this incident,” the office said. About 50 miles west, a tornado reportedly hit Cass County, where officials said one person was killed and more than 500 customers were without power.
On Saturday, rescuers searched for survivors under rubble while authorities began clearing scattered debris. Disaster relief workers went door to door in the Union City and Three Rivers areas to offer meals and other assistance.
The storms began in Indiana and appear to have spawned multiple tornadoes into southern Michigan, Lonnie Fisher of the National Weather Service (NWS) said. “Mostly likely there were three distinct tornadoes, but we won’t know 100% for sure until they finish the survey,” he added; NWS teams were sent to evaluate the damage and confirm tornadoes.
Michigan Governor Gretchen Whitmer activated a state emergency operations center “to coordinate an all-hands-on-deck response to severe weather in southwestern Michigan.”
The NWS forecast strong storms and flash-flood risks on Saturday stretching from the midwestern Great Lakes region to Texas. Spring storms commonly occur during the region’s tornado season, and tornadoes can form unexpectedly and within minutes, giving residents little time to find shelter.
Edited by: Dmytro Hubenko