Personal Items of Union City Tornado Victims Found Miles Away

Residents work to reunite families with scattered photos, documents, and other priceless belongings.

Mar. 10, 2026 at 11:06pm

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In the aftermath of a devastating tornado that struck Union City, Michigan, residents are finding personal items belonging to victims scattered miles away from the impacted area. Local resident Val Rossman has taken it upon herself to collect and return these precious mementos, including military papers, birth announcements, and family photos, to their rightful owners.

Why it matters

The recovery of these personal belongings is crucial for the Union City community as they work to rebuild their lives following the tornado. These items hold immense sentimental value and can provide comfort and closure for families who have lost so much.

The details

Rossman, a longtime Union City resident, has been actively searching for and collecting these scattered items. Some were found as far as 18 miles away from the tornado's path. Among the recovered items are military papers belonging to a man named Frank, who lost his home, and documents belonging to Keri Johnson, who passed away in the storm. Rossman is working to return these items to their rightful owners and encourages others in nearby counties to be on the lookout for any debris that may belong to Union City residents.

  • On Friday, a tornado struck Union City, Michigan, causing widespread damage.
  • On Tuesday morning, Rossman received a message about important photos and documents found southeast of Marshall, about 18 miles away.

The players

Val Rossman

A longtime resident of Union City, Michigan, who has taken it upon herself to collect and return personal items belonging to tornado victims that were found miles away from the impacted area.

Frank

A Union City resident who lost his home on Prairie Rose Lane and had his military papers recovered by Rossman.

Keri Johnson

A Union City resident who passed away in the tornado, and had a personal document recovered by Rossman.

Penni Guthrie

A Union City resident who passed away in the tornado, and had photos and birth announcements recovered by Rossman.

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What they’re saying

“Just when you think you've seen the worst stuff, it's the contents of people's lives strewn around.”

— Val Rossman, Union City Resident

“Look at it and see if it's a picture. Don't just assume it was your neighbor's mailbox that, you know, blew it out or their neighbor's trash can. It might be from somebody around here who would be happy to get that back.”

— Val Rossman, Union City Resident

What’s next

Rossman plans to continue her efforts to reunite tornado victims with their personal belongings, and is encouraging others in nearby counties to be on the lookout for any debris that may belong to Union City residents.

The takeaway

The recovery of these personal items is a testament to the resilience and community spirit of Union City residents as they work to rebuild their lives in the aftermath of the devastating tornado. These efforts to return precious mementos to their rightful owners provide a glimmer of hope and comfort during a difficult time.