Four Killed in State's Deadliest Tornado Event in Nearly 50 Years
LANSING, Mich. — Governor Gretchen Whitmer has formally requested that President Donald Trump declare a major disaster in southwest Michigan following tornadoes on March 6 that killed four people and marked the state's deadliest weather event in nearly five decades.
The request comes after multiple tornadoes ranging from EF-0 to EF-3 intensity tore through communities in Branch, Cass, and St. Joseph counties, leaving widespread destruction and significant property damage across the region.
"These tornadoes brought heartbreaking loss and widespread destruction to Southwest Michigan," Governor Whitmer said in a statement. "Michigan families have lost loved ones, homes and businesses. I declared a state of emergency, but our work is just beginning. As we wrap our arms around the affected communities, we are requesting federal assistance to ensure those affected have the resources they need to recover. Let's keep working together to keep people safe and help Michiganders rebuild."
Impact on Communities
On March 6, four tornadoes with intensities ranging from EF-0 to EF-3 impacted southwest Michigan. Communities near Edwardsburg in Cass County, in and around the city of Three Rivers in St. Joseph County, along the north side of Union Lake in Union City in Branch County, and areas of Calhoun County were among the hardest hit.
The tornadoes damaged or destroyed numerous homes and businesses, overturned vehicles, and sheared trees. The storm also caused significant power outages across the region.
In Union City in Branch County, an EF-3 tornado with winds of approximately 160 miles per hour tore through neighborhoods, injuring 12 people and killing three adults. In Cass County, an EF-1 tornado resulted in the death of a 12-year-old child. An EF-2 tornado with winds of at least 130 miles per hour also slammed Three Rivers in St. Joseph County. An EF-0 tornado with peak winds of about 85 mph touched down in Clarendon Township in Calhoun County.
State officials determined the damage met the threshold to request federal assistance following a joint Preliminary Damage Assessment conducted on March 17 with local, state, and federal officials.
Damage Assessment
According to Governor Whitmer's disaster declaration request, state officials established that across the three affected counties, 33 homes were destroyed, 74 sustained major damage, and 207 had minor damage. The governor noted that these numbers may "severely underestimate" the impact on individuals and houses in the affected areas.
About 100 households may qualify for temporary housing assistance, 67 for housing repair assistance, and eight for housing replacement aid. The letter estimated the counties needed approximately $1.4 million in federal individual and housing aid grants, including roughly $201,000 for temporary housing assistance, $497,000 for repair assistance, $385,000 for replacement assistance, and $454,000 for other needs assistance.
State Resources Strained
Governor Whitmer highlighted that the damage from the southwest Michigan tornadoes, combined with a rash of other severe weather events over the past two years, has put a strain on state aid resources. She noted this strain is especially significant given an expected state budget shortfall.
"I have determined that this incident is of such severity and magnitude that effective recovery is beyond the capabilities of the state of Michigan and the affected county and municipal governments, and that supplemental federal relief assistance is necessary," the governor wrote in her request.
If granted, the Individual Assistance program may include grants for temporary housing and home repairs, low-interest loans to cover uninsured property losses, and other programs to help individuals and businesses recover. The Federal Emergency Management Agency will review the state's disaster declaration request and advise the president on whether to grant it.
Lawmakers Support Request
Several Michigan lawmakers have supported the governor's request for federal assistance. U.S. Senator Gary Peters (D-MI) and U.S. Representative Tim Walberg (R-MI-05) joined Governor Whitmer in the initial disaster declaration request.
Senator Peters said, "Michigan's Branch, Cass, and St. Joseph counties have shown remarkable resilience, but these communities need the additional support that a federal disaster declaration provides. Governor Whitmer and I are working hard to ensure that Michiganders get the assistance they deserve as they work to rebuild and recover from these devastating storms."
Representative Walberg stated, "After spending multiple days on the ground with officials, I've seen that the devastation across our district from the recent tornadoes has been profound, and many of our neighbors are facing tremendous loss. This critical step ensures our communities can access the resources they need to rebuild and have the tools necessary to support long-term recovery."
U.S. Senator Elissa Slotkin (D-MI) and U.S. Representative Bill Huizenga (R-MI-04) also penned a letter to President Trump on April 3 urging him to declare a major disaster for areas hit by the tornadoes.
"Local, state, and local governments stepped up to meet this disaster with all available resources and authorities. Emergency first responders including brave volunteers, EMS, Michigan Task Force 1, and the Michigan State Police have been working on the ground since the event, providing lifesaving assistance despite communication disruptions. However, federal assistance will also be required to help the community fully recover," the lawmakers said in the letter.
Response and Recovery Efforts
Col. James F. Grady II, director of the Michigan State Police and state director of Emergency Management and Homeland Security, noted that while significant progress has been made in response efforts, the scope of damage requires federal support.
"From the moment the storm hit, local and state partners worked side by side to protect lives and begin response and recovery operations," Grady said. "While significant progress has been made, the scale of damage requires federal support to ensure families can rebuild."
Cleanup operations continue across the affected counties as residents and communities begin the long process of rebuilding and recovering from the deadly tornado outbreak.