At least six dead after tornadoes sweep across Michigan and Oklahoma, officials say
At least six dead after tornadoes sweep across Michigan and Oklahoma, officials say
Severe tornadoes have claimed six lives and injured over a dozen individuals in Michigan and Oklahoma, according to recent reports. Rescue teams are still evaluating the extent of the destruction caused by the storms, which hit on Friday. Damage included uprooted trees, downed power lines, and structural harm to buildings, with some homes losing their roofs.
Michigan: Multiple fatalities and injuries reported
In southern Michigan, officials confirmed four deaths and several injuries. The Branch County sheriff’s department reported three fatalities and 12 wounded near Union City, where a tornado struck. Power outages and road closures are anticipated this weekend. In Cass County, about 50 miles away, one person died and multiple others were injured.
“Multiple large structures—including homes and pole barns—sustained damage ranging from major structural impacts to complete destruction,” stated authorities in a press release. Hundreds of residents are without electricity, they added.
Videos shared online captured intense tornado activity in Union City, with massive whirlwinds and debris flying across a car park in Three Rivers. A local resident described witnessing the storm approach. “We look out the window and saw the tornado go right down the strip and that’s where my daughter is, where my parents, where I live down the road,” the individual told CBS News. “I was just very grateful that God protected my daughter and my mom and sister and my family.”
Oklahoma: Tornado path causes damage and two deaths
In Oklahoma, a tornado left a 4-mile path of destruction in Okmulgee County, 30 miles south of Tulsa. County emergency manager Jeff Moore noted efforts to clear roads and reach affected areas swiftly. The Okmulgee County sheriff’s office reported two fatalities in Beggs. Oklahoma Governor Kevin Stitt declared a state of emergency for eight counties, including Alfalfa, Creek, and Tulsa, to support those impacted by the storms.
Michigan Governor Gretchen Whitmer activated a state emergency for Branch, Cass, and St Joseph counties. “We are working with emergency teams to monitor the situation and coordinate resources for those impacted,” she stated. “My heart is with the families who lost loved ones and the Michiganders who were injured yesterday.” Emergency officials emphasized ongoing efforts to search damaged zones and initiate recovery operations.
The National Weather Service warned that severe weather could persist into the weekend, with thunderstorms and flash flooding expected across the Great Plains to Texas. Residents in both states remain on high alert as cleanup and assessment continue.
