UNION CITY, MI (WTVB) – Governor Gretchen Whitmer officially declared a state of emergency for Branch, Cass, and St. Joseph counties on Sunday, following a Fridays’ deadly tornado outbreak that tore through southwest Michigan.
The declaration follows the confirmation of at least four fatalities, including three people in Union City and a 12-year-old boy in Cass County.
Whitmer made the declaration this morning just prior to touring the damaged areas in a Michigan State Police helicopter.
The National Weather Service (NWS) confirmed on Saturday that a powerful EF3 tornado with winds reaching 150 mph struck the Union City area, making it the deadliest tornado to hit Michigan since 1980.
The state of emergency authorizes the use of all available state resources to assist local response and recovery efforts. By activating the State Emergency Operations Center, the declaration empowers the Michigan State Police and the Emergency Management and Homeland Security Division to coordinate personnel, materials, and funding more swiftly.
Governor Whitmer emphasized that the move ensures every necessary resource is on the ground to support communities like Union City, Three Rivers, and Edwardsburg as they begin the difficult task of clearing debris and assessing widespread damage to homes and businesses.
Governor Whitmer expressed her deep condolences to the families of the victims and joined the Michigan State Police on Sunday to tour the impacted areas by helicopter. Local officials in Branch County had already issued a local state of emergency on Saturday while awaiting state support. “Our entire state is wrapping its arms around the impacted communities,” Whitmer said in a statement, noting that the state will continue to work around the clock to ensure all local needs are met during the recovery process.
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