Senators Demand Answers from National Weather Service After Deadly Tornadoes

Slotkin and Peters seek information on why no tornado watch was issued before storms hit Michigan

Mar. 16, 2026 at 9:06pm

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U.S. Senators Elissa Slotkin and Gary Peters have sent a letter to the director of the National Weather Service seeking answers on why no tornado watch was issued ahead of the deadly storms that struck southwest Michigan on March 6, killing four people and injuring 22. The lawmakers have requested information on staffing levels, resources, and the decision-making process that led to the lack of a tornado watch alert.

Why it matters

The failure to issue a tornado watch ahead of the storms has raised concerns about the National Weather Service's ability to provide timely and accurate forecasts and alerts, especially as extreme weather events become more frequent due to climate change. Improving the agency's capacity to predict and warn the public about dangerous storms could help save lives in the future.

The details

In their letter, Slotkin and Peters asked the National Weather Service director a series of questions, including why no tornado watch was issued, how many full-time employees work at the five weather forecast offices covering Michigan, what staffing vacancies exist, and whether a lack of resources contributed to the agency's inability to issue a timely alert. The lawmakers also inquired about what steps the National Weather Service plans to take to improve the accuracy of its weather forecasting and the timeliness of its tornado alerts.

  • The deadly tornadoes touched down in southwest Michigan on March 6, 2026.
  • Slotkin and Peters sent their letter to the National Weather Service director on March 13, 2026, requesting a response within 30 days.

The players

Elissa Slotkin

U.S. Senator from Michigan's 8th congressional district, representing Holly.

Gary Peters

U.S. Senator from Michigan, representing Bloomfield Township.

Ken Graham

Director of the National Weather Service.

Gretchen Whitmer

Governor of Michigan, who has requested a federal investigation into why a tornado watch was not issued before the deadly storms.

Marissa Anderson

National Weather Service spokesperson.

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What they’re saying

“We mourn for those who lost their lives to this storm, and we stand fully prepared to work with the impacted families and communities to begin the process of rebuilding and recovering. At the same time, we seek to better understand how this tragic event unfolded and what changes are required to better protect public safety and avoid such tragic loss of life during future extreme weather events.”

— Elissa Slotkin and Gary Peters, U.S. Senators (Michigan Advance)

“At the moment Watch issuance was being considered, warnings were already in progress for the existing storm, and it was anticipated that the risk was only with this storm. The storm was expected to weaken soon and thus not warrant a Watch. Although a Watch was not issued, local forecasters continuously monitored the evolving weather situation and issued specific Tornado Warnings to alert communities of the immediate threat.”

— Marissa Anderson, National Weather Service spokesperson (Michigan Advance)

What’s next

The National Weather Service has been given 30 days to respond to the senators' letter and provide the requested information.

The takeaway

This incident highlights the critical importance of the National Weather Service's ability to accurately predict and warn the public about severe weather events, especially as climate change increases the frequency and intensity of storms. Improving the agency's staffing, resources, and forecasting capabilities could help save lives in the future.