Tornado Rips Through Michigan Counties, Killing 4

Governor calls for federal review after no tornado watch issued ahead of deadly storms

Published on Mar. 9, 2026

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A powerful tornado ripped through Branch, Cass and St. Joseph counties in Michigan on Friday, killing four people and injuring more than a dozen. The tornado registered as an EF-1 in Edwardsburg, an EF-2 in Three Rivers, and a 160-mile-per-hour EF-3 near Union City, with survey teams continuing to review damage and finalize ratings. Michigan Governor Gretchen Whitmer has declared a state of emergency for the affected counties and is calling for a federal review into whether staffing or funding cuts at the National Weather Service played a role in the absence of a tornado watch ahead of the deadly storms.

Why it matters

Tornadoes can cause catastrophic damage and loss of life, and the lack of a tornado watch ahead of these storms has raised questions about the National Weather Service's ability to accurately predict and warn the public about severe weather events. This incident highlights the importance of robust weather monitoring and warning systems, especially in areas prone to tornadoes.

The details

The tornado that hit Union City was an EF-3 with 160-mile-per-hour winds, traveling more than three-and-a-half miles and reaching 500 yards wide. Multiple buildings suffered severe damage, several homes were destroyed, and a mobile home was thrown 100 yards, causing a fatality. In Edwardsburg, a 12-year-old boy died after the tornado touchdown in Milton Township.

  • The tornado struck on Friday, March 6, 2026.
  • Governor Whitmer toured the affected areas on Sunday, March 8, 2026.

The players

Gretchen Whitmer

The governor of Michigan who has declared a state of emergency for the affected counties and is calling for a federal review into the lack of a tornado watch.

National Weather Service

The federal agency responsible for monitoring and issuing warnings about severe weather events, which is facing questions about whether staffing or funding cuts played a role in the absence of a tornado watch ahead of the deadly storms.

Silas Anderson

A 12-year-old boy who died after the tornado touchdown in Edwardsburg, Michigan.

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What they’re saying

“We must review what happened to determine if staffing or funding cuts at the National Weather Service played a role in the absence of a tornado watch ahead of these deadly storms.”

— Gretchen Whitmer, Governor of Michigan

What’s next

Governor Whitmer has called for a federal review into the National Weather Service's handling of the severe weather event, and the agency is expected to conduct an investigation into the lack of a tornado watch.

The takeaway

This tragic incident highlights the critical importance of accurate and timely severe weather warnings, and the need to ensure that federal agencies like the National Weather Service have the resources and staffing necessary to effectively monitor and predict dangerous storms, especially in tornado-prone regions.