SHERWOOD TOWNSHIP, MI (WTVB)- On May 7, 2024, Branch County, faced a rare and destructive weather event as severe thunderstorms spawned multiple tornadoes, leaving a trail of damage across the area. The National Weather Service (NWS) confirmed at least two tornadoes in the county, including a significant EF-2 that prompted Michigan’s first-ever Tornado Emergency, a warning reserved for catastrophic threats to life and property. The storms, part of a broader outbreak across southwest Michigan, transformed a typical spring evening into a night of chaos and resilience.
The most intense tornado, rated high-end EF-2 with winds up to 130 mph, touched down in Sherwood Township and tracked through Union City. Striking around 6:07 p.m., it tore through rural and residential areas, destroying seven structures, primarily homes, and scattering debris like trampolines and sheds across fields. A brief EF-1 tornado, with winds of 95 mph, also formed southwest of Union City, lasting just one minute but demolishing a machine shed. Despite the widespread destruction, no serious injuries or fatalities were reported, a testament to timely warnings and community preparedness.
In addition,to the seven destroyed structures, there were 24 other homes that received minor damage while 19 homes experienced superficial damage.
Governor Gretchen Whitmer declared a state of emergency for Branch, Kalamazoo, St. Joseph, and Cass counties, unlocking state resources to aid recovery.
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