EF-3 Tornado Strikes Southwest Michigan City

National Weather Service confirms deadly twister in Union City

Published on Mar. 7, 2026

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An EF-3 tornado with winds of at least 150 mph moved through Union City, Michigan on Friday night, killing three people and injuring 12 others. The National Weather Service is still assessing the full extent of the tornado's path and duration.

Why it matters

Powerful tornadoes like this EF-3 are becoming more common in the Midwest due to climate change, and they can cause devastating damage to homes, businesses, and infrastructure. This event highlights the need for improved early warning systems and disaster preparedness in vulnerable communities.

The details

The National Weather Service said several homes in the Tuttle Road and Prairie Rose Lane area of Union City were severely damaged by the tornado. Officials are still evaluating the full scope of the tornado's track and duration. This was the first EF-3 tornado to hit Michigan since one struck Gaylord in 2022.

  • The tornado struck Union City on the evening of Friday, March 6, 2026.
  • The last EF-3 tornado in Michigan was in Gaylord in 2022.

The players

National Weather Service

The federal agency that monitors and reports on severe weather events across the United States.

Gretchen Whitmer

The Governor of Michigan, who announced she would declare a state of emergency for the affected counties.

Clint Roach

The Sheriff of Cass County, which is near the tornado's path, who reported a 12-year-old boy was killed in the storms.

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What they’re saying

“We must remain vigilant and prepared for the increasing threat of powerful tornadoes driven by climate change.”

— Gretchen Whitmer, Governor of Michigan (Twitter)

What’s next

The National Weather Service will continue assessing the full scope of the tornado's path and impact in the coming days.

The takeaway

This devastating tornado in Union City underscores the need for communities in the Midwest to strengthen their disaster preparedness and response capabilities in the face of more extreme weather events driven by climate change.