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Union City Today
By the People, for the People
Michigan Lake Needs Debris Cleared After Deadly Tornado
Officials grapple with unique cleanup challenge from EF3 tornado that hit Union City
Mar. 18, 2026 at 11:05am
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A deadly EF3 tornado that struck Union City, Michigan earlier this month has left Union Lake filled with underwater debris, posing a unique cleanup challenge for officials. The tornado destroyed several homes along the lakeshore, with debris and building materials sinking to the lake bed. Authorities have installed a boom to contain the debris, and are working with state and federal agencies to assess the damage and determine if a federal disaster declaration should be issued to aid cleanup efforts.
Why it matters
The debris in Union Lake poses a significant public safety risk as the weather warms and the lake becomes a popular recreation destination. There are also concerns about the impact on the lake's hydroelectric dam that supplies power to the community. Clearing the debris is a critical step in the recovery process for Union City following the devastating tornado.
The details
The March 6th tornado destroyed several homes along the shore of Union Lake, with much of the debris and building materials ending up in the water. Officials have installed a boom to try to contain the debris to one area of the lake. Dive teams have been searching the lake for any potential victims. Representatives from FEMA, Michigan State Police, and the U.S. Small Business Administration have surveyed the damage to help determine if a federal disaster declaration should be issued to aid in the cleanup efforts.
- The EF3 tornado struck Union City on March 6, 2026.
- On March 7, officials reported that much of the property along the lakeshore had gone into the lake.
- On March 17, construction crews were clearing debris and burning fallen trees as state and federal officials surveyed the damage.
The players
Chris Mathis
The village manager and police chief for Union City.
Lauren Thompson
A representative with the Michigan State Police Emergency Management Homeland Security Division.
Tim Miner
The Branch County Emergency Management Coordinator.
Gretchen Whitmer
The Governor of Michigan.
Chris Henke
A resident of Tuttle Park Drive whose boat was overturned in the lake.
What they’re saying
“There's a lot of stuff in there”
— Chris Mathis, Village manager and police chief for Union City
“Seeing the complete devastation, I've never seen anything like that”
— Chris Mathis, Village manager and police chief for Union City
“Much of this property did go into the lake”
— Tim Miner, Branch County Emergency Management Coordinator
What’s next
Officials will use the damage assessment results to develop a recommendation for Governor Whitmer on whether a federal disaster declaration should be issued to aid in the cleanup efforts for Union Lake and the surrounding area.
The takeaway
The aftermath of the devastating tornado in Union City has left the community's main lake filled with debris, posing a significant public safety risk and cleanup challenge. Clearing the lake is a critical step in the recovery process, requiring coordination between local, state, and federal agencies to secure the necessary resources and funding.
