“These tornadoes brought heartbreaking loss and widespread destruction to Southwest Michigan,” said Governor Whitmer. “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.”
On March 6, four tornadoes with intensities ranging from EF-0 to EF-3 impacted southwest Michigan. Communities near Edwardsburg, Cass County, in and around the city of Three Rivers, St. Joseph County, and along the north side of Union Lake in Union City, Branch County, were among the hardest hit.
The tornadoes damaged or destroyed numerous homes and businesses, overturned vehicles, and sheared trees. A 12-year-old child in Cass County lost their life, along with three adults in Union City. The storm also caused significant power outages across the region.
“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,” said Senator Peters. “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.”
“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,” said Congressman Tim Walberg. “This critical step ensures our communities can access the resources they need to rebuild and have the tools necessary to support long-term recovery. We will continue to work to support every community affected by this tragic weather event.”
“From the moment the storm hit, local and state partners worked side by side to protect lives and begin response and recovery operations,” said Col. James F. Grady II, director of the Michigan State Police and state director of Emergency Management and Homeland Security. “While significant progress has been made, the scope of damage requires federal support to ensure families can rebuild.”
The governor has requested activation of all areas of the Individual Assistance (IA) program for the counties of Branch, Cass, and St. Joseph.
A joint Preliminary Damage Assessment with local, state, and federal officials was conducted on March 17 to assess and validate the most severely affected areas. Based on the findings, state officials determined the damage met the threshold to request federal assistance.
If granted, IA 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.
Governor Whitmer’s request will be reviewed by the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), which will advise President Trump on whether a disaster declaration is warranted. The final decision rests with the president.
