Union City, Michigan, and surrounding communities are beginning the long process of recovery after a series of tornadoes swept through the region Friday night. The storms brought widespread damage, leaving residents to assess the destruction to homes and businesses. Three people were killed when a tornado struck Union Lake, and twelve were injured in the same area, according to the Branch County Sheriff’s Office.
The National Weather Service confirmed that three separate tornadoes touched down in southwestern Michigan on Friday, bringing a wave of destruction to Branch, Cass, and St. Joseph counties. The hardest-hit area appears to be Union Lake, west of Union City, where a survey team from the National Weather Service Northern Indiana is conducting a detailed assessment. A preliminary report on the Union City area is expected Saturday afternoon, with reports on Three Rivers and Edwardsburg to follow.
Community Rallies Amidst the Damage
Residents of Union City are already demonstrating resilience, working to clear debris and support one another. On Saturday morning, the Green family was seen clearing broken glass from the sidewalk in front of their woodworking business on Broadway Street, the town’s main thoroughfare. Duane Green, who was in his store when the tornado passed through, described hearing the storm “chugging like a train” before taking shelter in the basement. He noted the storm tore the facade from a nearby used car business and damaged windows throughout downtown. Green, a volunteer with Samaritan First, a disaster relief organization, was coordinating efforts to assist those in need. “On our social media page, people are reaching out if they need anything — trees cut off or anything. We’re equipped and ready,” he said.
Further illustrating the community spirit, Union City High School has been transformed into a distribution center, providing clothing, food, and other essential supplies to affected residents. Jamie Thomas, principal at Union City Middle School and part of the crisis response team, reported that hundreds of community members have already donated their time and resources. The school district is also offering showers and temporary lodging to those displaced by the storms.
Extent of the Damage and Additional Fatalities
The devastation extends beyond Union City. A 12-year-old boy was confirmed dead Friday after a tornado hit the Edwardsburg area, according to the Cass County Sheriff’s Office. Sheriff Clint Roach reported several injuries in the southern part of his county, near the Indiana state line. Alisha Carr, a Union City resident, found her 1869-built home damaged by a fallen tree after returning home from work Friday night, noting that roads were blocked by downed trees and utility trucks. Lillian Andrews, a neighbor of Carr’s, reported that “pretty much every tree in our yard is gone,” and her garage was leveled by the twister.
Fourteen-year-old Clayton Stage described the tornado as “huge,” saying it “sounded like a freight train coming through” after he heard sirens and looked outside. Residents reported hearing tornado sirens multiple times before the storms arrived.
Drone footage captured the extent of the damage in Union City, revealing a path of destruction through the area. The Detroit News published drone video showing the devastation.
Looking Ahead
The National Weather Service expects to release preliminary reports on the damage in Union City, Three Rivers, and Edwardsburg later Saturday. Recovery efforts will undoubtedly be extensive, and the full extent of the damage is still being assessed. As the community begins to rebuild, the focus will be on providing support to those affected and restoring normalcy to the impacted areas.
Share your thoughts and experiences in the comments below. If you’d like to aid those affected by the Michigan tornadoes, consider donating to or volunteering with organizations like Samaritan First.
