Tornadoes Kill 6 in Michigan and Oklahoma

Powerful storms hit nation's midsection, causing widespread damage

Published on Mar. 7, 2026

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A series of powerful storms and tornadoes swept through Michigan and Oklahoma on Friday, killing a total of six people and leaving behind significant damage. In Michigan, three people were killed and 12 injured near Union City, while one person died in Cass County. In Oklahoma, two people were killed in a tornado south of Tulsa. The storms also caused widespread power outages and damage to homes and buildings across the affected areas.

Why it matters

Tornadoes are relatively rare in Michigan, which averages only 15 per year, compared to 155 in Texas and 96 in Kansas. This outbreak highlights the increasing threat of severe weather events driven by climate change, even in areas not typically associated with tornado activity. The loss of life and extensive property damage underscore the need for improved early warning systems and disaster preparedness in vulnerable communities.

The details

The storms were fueled by a weather system that pulled moisture from the Gulf Coast and a warm front moving north, creating the ideal conditions for tornado formation. At least one tornado was confirmed in southern Michigan near Union City, with reports of possible others. In Oklahoma, a tornado cut a 4-mile path of damage in Okmulgee County, including the town of Beggs, where two people were killed and two others hospitalized.

  • On Friday, the storms caused destruction across Michigan and Oklahoma.
  • On Thursday, a 47-year-old woman and her 13-year-old daughter were found dead in a vehicle near an intersection in western Oklahoma.

The players

Gretchen Whitmer

The governor of Michigan who activated the state's Emergency Operations Center to coordinate the response to the severe weather.

Kevin Stitt

The governor of Oklahoma who expressed condolences for the victims and those impacted by the storms.

Lisa Piper

A Michigan resident who captured video of the tornado forming and damaging homes across Union Lake.

Jeff Moore

The emergency manager for Okmulgee County, Oklahoma, who described the tornado's path of destruction and response efforts.

David Roth

A meteorologist at the National Weather Service's Weather Prediction Center who explained the weather conditions that led to the tornado outbreak.

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What they’re saying

“It's lifting houses!”

— Lisa Piper (Instagram)

“We're just getting everywhere as fast as we can, clearing roads as fast we can.”

— Jeff Moore, Okmulgee County Emergency Manager (wsjm.com)

“I am praying for the family as they grieve this tragic loss, as well as all those impacted by the storms.”

— Kevin Stitt, Governor of Oklahoma (wsjm.com)

What’s next

The National Weather Service has warned that the severe storm risk will continue into the weekend, with the potential for more tornadoes, strong thunderstorms, and flash flooding across the region.

The takeaway

This tornado outbreak in Michigan, a state not typically associated with such severe weather, underscores the growing threat of climate change-driven extreme events. It highlights the need for improved early warning systems, disaster preparedness, and resilience-building efforts in vulnerable communities across the country.