At least four people have died, including a 12-year-old boy, and several others were injured after multiple reported tornadoes ripped through Southwest Michigan on Friday, officials say.
The Branch County Sheriff’s Office says that three people were killed and 12 others were injured in Union City, CBS-affiliate WWMT in Kalamazoo reports. The sheriff’s office says three of the injured people were taken to a hospital for treatment.
First responders from multiple agencies were in the Union Lake area near Union City on Saturday searching for more possible victims and clearing roads, authorities said.
In Cass County, Sheriff Clint Roach identified the boy who died as Silas Anderson and said that several others were injured. In response to the storm, Cass County Board Chair Jeremiah Jones issued a local state of emergency.
“Emergency Management personnel will be conducting damage assessments in the affected area as required by the State of Michigan. Residents should expect these personnel to wear yellow vests and identify themselves as Cass County Emergency Management staff,” Cass County officials said.
Gov. Gretchen Whitmer said on Facebook Saturday afternoon that she would be declaring a state of emergency for Branch, Cass and St. Joseph counties.
At least two tornadoes were reported in Southwest Michigan amid severe weather earlier on Friday, according to CBS Detroit’s Chief Meteorologist Ahmad Bajjey. The tornadoes were reported in Union City (Branch County) and Three Rivers (St. Joseph County), while a possible third tornado may have also been in St. Joseph County.
Cass County officials later reported that a tornado touched down near Edwardsburg.
The reported tornadoes caused significant damage, including destroying a roof on a Menards store in Three Rivers, as well as trees, homes and pole barns in Cass County. According to Consumers Energy, more than 3,000 customers were without power on Friday night.
Consumers Energy says crews were in Union City on Friday night to set up “a mobile command center” to help coordinate the company’s response.
“Our hearts are with our friends and neighbors who are affected by today’s tornado, and we will help the community any way we can. We are in touch with the American Red Cross and have offered to assist them as they set up a community shelter,” Consumers Energy said in a statement. “We continue to follow these ongoing severe weather conditions, with the prospect more storms could strike Michigan tomorrow.”
Consumers urge residents to follow these safety tips:
- Be alert to crews working along roads. Drivers should slow down or stop and wait for oncoming traffic to clear so they can go safely past.
- Stay at least 25 feet away from downed power lines and report unguarded downed lines by calling 9-1-1 and Consumers Energy at 800-477-5050. Consumers Energy reminds people that falsely calling in downed lines actually slows down the restoration process for everyone.
- Never use a generator in an attached garage, basement, enclosed patio or near any air intakes. Doing so could cause a generator to produce hazardous levels of carbon monoxide, an odorless, colorless and deadly gas.
The Michigan State Police Emergency Management and Homeland Security Division says Whitmer activated the State Emergency Operations Centeron Friday night in response to the storms. The department says the center will be supporting local requests for assistance.
“Tonight, I am activating our State Emergency Operations Center to coordinate an all-hands-on-deck response to severe weather in southwestern Michigan,” Whitmer said in a statement. “By taking this action, we can ensure the state can monitor and respond to local requests. I want to thank all the first responders on the ground who reacted quickly to keep Michiganders safe.”
The St. Joseph County Sheriff’s Office is urging residents to avoid traveling through Three Rivers and Fabius Township.
Edwardsburg Public Schools opened its Intermediate School cafeteria on Saturday morning for residents or first responders who need a meal or a place to go.
