(WILX) – At least four people are dead after suspected tornadoes touched down in Southwest Michigan on Friday.
The Branch County Sheriff’s Office says three people were killed by a reported tornado in Union City and a dozen other people were injured. Of the 12 injured, three were hospitalized.
In Cass County, the sheriff’s office confirmed at least one fatality as the result of a tornado that touched down near Edwardsburg. Sheriff Clint Roach said several injuries were also reported in the area.
There have been reports of another tornado that touched down in Three Rivers, causing damage to structures, including a Menards. Authorities have not released any information about injuries or fatalities in that city.
Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer has activated the State Emergency Operations Center (SEOC) due to significant wind damage and possible tornadoes reported in Southwest Michigan on Friday.
“Tonight, I am activating our State Emergency Operations Center to coordinate an all-hands-on-deck response to severe weather in southwestern Michigan,” Whitmer said, per a press release. “By taking this action, we can ensure the state can monitor and respond to local requests. I want to thank all the first responders on the ground who reacted quickly to keep Michiganders safe.”
The SEOC was activated at 6 p.m. according to the Michigan State Police Emergency Management and Homeland Security Division (MSP/EMHSD). SEOC personnel are monitoring the situation and working with state and local officials as well as private sector partners to ensure any resource needs are met.
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MSP/EMHSD District Coordinators are on the scene with local emergency management officials and supporting local emergency operation centers. The SEOC is ready to fulfill as resource requests that may arise.
This afternoon, significant wind damage, possible tornadoes, and injuries were reported in multiple southwest Michigan counties including Branch, Cass, and Saint Joseph.
A tornado reportedly caused widespread damage in Union City, located in parts of Branch and Calhoun Counties.
A reported tornado caused severe damage to a Menards in Three Rivers, according to our sister station WNDU in South Bend, Indiana.
The SEOC is the Emergency Operations Center for the State of Michigan located in Dimondale and is overseen by the MSP/EMHSD. The SEOC assists local governments and state agencies with the coordination of the response and recovery efforts.
For more information on how to prepare before, during and after an emergency or disaster, visit www.michigan.gov/miready and follow MSP/EMHSD on X and Facebook.
This is a developing story. Stay with News 10 for the latest updates as they become available on-air and online.
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