Four dead after tornado hits Southwest Michigan, several others injured

At least four killed in apparent West Michigan Tornados

The Branch County Sheriff says three people are dead, and twelve others are injured after an apparent tornado went through Union City. Meanwhile, a fourth person was killed in Cass County. Meanwhile, Cass County officials declared a state of emergency.

BRANCH COUNTY, Mich. (FOX 2) - Update: The National Weather Service confirmed a tornado had touched down in Union City.

Meanwhile, the Branch County Sheriff says three people are dead and twelve others are injured after an apparent tornado went through Union City. One other is dead in Cass County.

Michigan was struck by severe weather mid-Friday afternoon, leaving communities in the southwest portion of the state damaged by multiple tornadoes.

Video from counties in St. Joseph and Branch showed buildings, stores, and homes damaged after extreme winds blasted their way through Southwest Michigan.

Severe weather was expected to continue pushing east through the Lower Peninsula.

According to Michigan's emergency management, the governor had activated the state's operations center.

Tornado caught on camera on Union Lake in Union City, Michigan

Video captured by TJ Secord in Union City shows a tornado trekking across the area as severe weather hits Southern Michigan.

Severe weather in Michigan

The National Weather Service issued tornado warnings for Mendon, Sherwood, and Union City around 4:30 p.m. Videos posted on social media showed a tornado blowing by Union Lake.

The weather service continued to order warnings as the storm tracked across the southern Lower Peninsula.

Officials said to look out for quarter-size hail and flying debris. People were told to take shelter in a basement or interior room on the lowest floor.

Consumers Energy also reported several thousand outages in the area around Union City and Joppa, southwest of Battle Creek.

Tornado tears across Union Lake in Union City. Courtesy: TJ Secord.

On the Ground:

Video shows the storm rolling through Union City on Union Lake. The video was taken by TJ Secord and shows the speed and size of the twister.

More video, this one taken in Three Rivers, captured the moment a tornado took shape and began to whip debris across the area.

Tornado vortex caught on camera in Three Rivers

The National Weather Service issued a tornado warning in the area as warmer temperatures and windy weather moved across Michigan. The area impacted as of 4:20 p.m. was northeastern St. Joseph and northwestern Branch counties.

At the same time, a Menards was severely damaged by the high winds, collapsing the roof.

Aerial photos of the devastation, taken by 517Drone Video and Photography, show the ghost of a neighborhood, now completely erased.

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Courtesy: 517Drone Video and Photography

What they're saying:

Michigan State Police passed along a message from the St. Joseph County Sheriff's Office after reports of a tornado touching down in Three Rivers.

"We are asking everyone to please stay away from the north end of St. Joseph County until further notice. Emergency personnel are currently responding to an active situation in that area, and it is critical that our firefighters, law enforcement officers, EMS, and other emergency workers have clear access to do their jobs safely and effectively.

Unnecessary traffic and onlookers can delay response times and create additional hazards for both the public and first responders.
If you do not live in the immediate area or do not have essential business there, please avoid traveling to the north end of the county at this time.

We appreciate your cooperation and patience as our emergency teams work to manage the situation. Updates will be provided as more information becomes available."

The Village of Union City also put out a statement warning everyone to avoid unnecessary travel.

"Union City experienced significant storm damage this evening, particularly around the Union Lake and downtown areas. Village crews, emergency responders, and utility workers are actively working to assess damage and clear debris.

"We are asking residents to please avoid unnecessary driving in these areas. Extra traffic makes it difficult for emergency crews and utility workers to safely do their jobs.

If you do not need to be in the area, please stay home and allow crews the space they need to work."

Later in the night, the Branch County Sheriff announced that three people were dead, and twelve others were injured after the severe weather went through Union City. Meanwhile, a fourth person was killed in Cass County. Meanwhile, Cass County officials declared a state of emergency.