Tornadoes kill 6 in Michigan and Oklahoma as storms hit nation's midsection

Powerful storms whipped up tornadoes that left swaths of damage and killed 4 in Michigan and 2 in Oklahoma.

Published on Mar. 7, 2026

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A threat of severe weather across the nation's midsection continued on Saturday, a day after powerful storms whipped up tornadoes that killed four people in southern Michigan and two people in eastern Oklahoma. The storms left behind significant damage, including homes reduced to rubble, downed trees, and power outages.

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 unpredictable nature of severe weather and the need for preparedness, especially as climate change may be increasing the frequency and intensity of such storms.

The details

In Michigan, three people were killed and 12 were injured in the Union Lake area near Union City after an apparent tornado hit. About 50 miles southwest, Cass County officials reported one death and several injuries, after a tornado touched down. In Oklahoma, just south of Tulsa, a tornado in Beggs was blamed for the deaths of two people in a house.

  • On Friday, the storms left swaths of damage in Michigan and Oklahoma.
  • On Thursday, a 47-year-old woman and her 13-year-old daughter from Fairview, Oklahoma were found dead in a vehicle near an intersection of a highway and a county road at about 10 p.m.

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 said he is praying for the family as they grieve the tragic loss, as well as all those impacted by the storms.

Jeff Moore

The emergency manager for Okmulgee County, Oklahoma, who said a tornado cut around a 4-mile path of damage in the area including Beggs, with large trees toppled and power outages reported.

Lisa Piper

A Michigan resident who stood on her back deck and took video of a terrifying scene as a funnel cloud formed and then dropped toward the ground, with trees torn from their roots and debris flying into the air.

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What they’re saying

“It's lifting houses!”

— Lisa Piper

“Oh my heart is pounding. Oh, I hope they're OK.”

— Lisa Piper

“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

What’s next

The National Weather Service said strong thunderstorms and a risk of flash flooding were expected to continue across the region on Saturday, with a slight risk of more tornadoes and damaging winds.

The takeaway

This severe weather outbreak in Michigan and Oklahoma serves as a stark reminder of the unpredictable and potentially deadly nature of tornadoes, even in areas where they are relatively uncommon. It underscores the importance of preparedness and the need for continued research and forecasting to help communities better anticipate and respond to these dangerous storms.