On March 6, 2026, a powerful tornado struck the Union City area in southern Michigan (specifically near Union Lake in Branch County), as part of a severe weather outbreak across southwest Michigan.
Key details from reports:
Casualties: At least 3 people were killed, with some sources noting up to 4 deaths across affected areas (including nearby counties like Cass or St. Joseph). 12 people were injured, with at least 3 hospitalized.
Damage: The tornado caused extensive destruction, including homes leveled or heavily damaged, roofs torn off, trees uprooted/snapped, vehicles tossed or flipped, and debris scattered widely. Businesses (e.g., a Dollar Tree) were reportedly “annihilated” in some cases. It appeared as a massive wedge tornado in videos, tearing through neighborhoods and along the lake.
Timing and context: The tornado touched down around 4:30–4:40 PM local time on Friday amid severe thunderstorms. Multiple tornadoes were reported in the region (including nearby Three Rivers), with hail, high winds, and ongoing storm risks into the weekend.
Response: Emergency crews, including search and rescue, were on scene assessing damage, clearing debris, and coordinating recovery. Power outages occurred, and utilities like Consumers Energy set up command centers. The National Weather Service was expected to survey for official ratings (e.g., EF-scale strength, with some speculation of EF3+ based on damage).
Eyewitness videos and photos showed dramatic scenes of the rotating column crossing the area, with residents expressing shock (e.g., one filming yelled “Oh my God” as it tore through buildings across the lake).
This event drove major search spikes due to its sudden, deadly impact on a small community about 125 miles west of Detroit. Recovery efforts are ongoing, with authorities urging people to avoid damaged zones. Thoughts are with those affected—stay safe if you’re in the region, as severe weather continued in parts of the Midwest.