UNION CITY, MI (WTVB) – The National Weather Service (NWS) Northern Indiana office has scheduled preliminary storm surveys for today, to assess significant damage across Cass, St. Joseph, and Branch counties.
The surveys follow a deadly severe thunderstorm and suspected tornado that tracked approximately 50 miles from Edwardsburg through Three Rivers and into Union City on Friday afternoon. At least four fatalities have been confirmed: three in the Union Lake area of Branch County and one in Cass County near Edwardsburg.
More than a dozen others were injured as the storm system leveled homes, destroyed agricultural buildings, and caused major structural damage to businesses, including a Menards in Three Rivers.
Governor Gretchen Whitmer activated the State Emergency Operations Center late Friday to coordinate recovery efforts as thousands remained without power and several roads were blocked by debris and downed lines.
The NWS survey teams aim to officially confirm tornado touchdowns and assign EF-ratings, but the start of their field assessment is contingent weather conditions.
Additional showers and thunderstorms expected Saturday morning may delay the teams until conditions are safe for transit. Sheriff’s officials in both Branch and St. Joseph Counties, continue urging residents to avoid the hardest-hit areas to allow emergency crews and utility workers clear access for restoration.
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