At least six people have died and more than a dozen others were injured after tornadoes struck Michigan and Oklahoma on Friday. The storms caused widespread damage, including uprooted trees, downed power lines, and destroyed buildings.
Key Takeaways
Tornadoes struck Michigan and Oklahoma on Friday, killing at least six people and injuring more than a dozen others. The storms caused widespread destruction, with four deaths in southern Michigan and two in eastern Oklahoma. Governors have declared states of emergency to facilitate recovery efforts.
- Tornadoes kill six across Michigan and Oklahoma
- Four deaths confirmed in Branch County, Michigan; two in Okmulgee County, Oklahoma
- EF3 tornado with winds over 150 mph strikes Union Lake area
- States of emergency declared in both states for damage assessment and recovery
- Severe weather threat continues into the weekend
The majority of the deaths occurred in southern Michigan, where four people lost their lives. In Branch County, three people were killed and 12 others injured near Union City. About 50 miles away in Cass County, a 12-year-old boy died and several other people were injured during a possible tornado. The storms also ripped roofs off houses and damaged multiple large structures.
In Oklahoma, two deaths were reported in Beggs, a town in Okmulgee County located about 30 miles south of Tulsa. The tornado cut a roughly 4-mile path of damage through the county. Governor Kevin Stitt declared a state of emergency for several counties to ensure residents have access to necessary resources.
Michigan Governor Gretchen Whitmer also activated a state emergency for Branch, Cass, and St. Joseph counties. Emergency management officials are continuing to assess the damage and coordinate recovery efforts in both states. The National Weather Service confirmed that an EF3 tornado with winds of at least 150 mph struck the Union Lake area near Union City.
Residents described terrifying scenes as tornadoes tore through their communities. Videos shared on social media showed massive whirlwinds sweeping through Union City and large chunks of debris flying across a car park in Three Rivers. The National Weather Service warned that severe weather could continue into the weekend, with thunderstorms and flash flooding possible from Texas northeast to Ohio and western Pennsylvania and New York.
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