Tornadoes Kill 6 in Michigan, Oklahoma

Authorities search for victims and clear debris after powerful storms strike the Midwest

Published on Mar. 8, 2026

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Authorities searched through rubble and debris in southern Michigan on Saturday after suspected tornadoes tore through the region and killed four people, including a 12-year-old boy. The storms also caused two deaths in eastern Oklahoma. First responders looked for more possible victims and worked to clear roads in the affected areas.

Why it matters

Severe weather events like these tornadoes can have devastating impacts on local communities, causing loss of life, property damage, and disruption to daily life. Understanding the frequency and intensity of these storms is crucial for emergency preparedness and disaster response efforts.

The details

In the Union Lake area near Union City, Michigan, first responders from multiple agencies searched for victims and cleared debris after the suspected tornadoes. Photos and videos showed flattened homes and downed trees in a lakeside neighborhood. The National Weather Service said an initial assessment confirmed an EF3 tornado with winds of at least 150 mph struck the Union Lake area. In Beggs, Oklahoma, about 30 miles south of Tulsa, a tornado was blamed for the deaths of two people in a house.

  • The storms began in northern Indiana and intensified rapidly in southern Michigan on Friday.
  • The Union City, Michigan area was also hit by an EF1 tornado in May 2024.

The players

Lonnie Fisher

A meteorologist with the National Weather Service who said the storms appeared to spawn multiple tornadoes in southern Michigan.

Lisa Piper

A resident of the Union Lake area who took video of a tornado forming and lifting houses across the frozen lake.

Dan Taylor

A resident of Union City, Michigan whose home of 20 years was damaged when a tree fell on it.

Clint Roach

The Cass County Sheriff in Michigan, who said a 12-year-old boy named Silas Anderson died after a possible tornado.

Jeff Moore

The emergency manager for Okmulgee County, Oklahoma, where a tornado cut a 4-mile path of damage including in the town of Beggs.

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What they’re saying

“It's lifting houses!”

— Lisa Piper (Instagram)

“I didn't know what to say. I was lost for words. I'm just thankful that my brother's all right, my dogs, because it could have turned bad. We're not guaranteed of anything.”

— Dan Taylor (Local media)

What’s next

The National Weather Service will continue surveying the damage in the affected areas to confirm the number and strength of the tornadoes. Michigan Governor Gretchen Whitmer said she would declare a state of emergency in the impacted counties.

The takeaway

These powerful tornado outbreaks in the Midwest serve as a stark reminder of the importance of emergency preparedness and heeding weather warnings, as communities can face devastating impacts from these extreme weather events.