At least eight people have died and dozens of others are injured as tornadoes have ripped through the central and eastern parts of the United States this week.
On Friday, March 6, the National Weather Service (NWS) reported tornado damage in Edwardsburg, Three Rivers and Union City in Michigan, as a massive storm made its way through the southern portion of the state, leaving significant damage to homes and neighborhoods.
That same day, Cass County Sheriff Clint Roach said, per a news release, that “several injuries have occurred” and “one fatality has been confirmed as a result of the storm.”
In addition to the damage, which Midwest Energy & Communications said ranged from “major structural impacts to complete destruction,” more than 500 residents were left without power in the area.
Further east, Branch County’s Sheriff Frederick Blankenship said emergency officials were responding to “what is believed to be a tornado in the Union Lake area.”
“There have been 12 reported injuries, with three individuals transported to the hospital, and three fatalities,” he said, according to a news release. “Our thoughts are with those who have lost family, friends, and property during this incident.”
Beyond Southern Michigan, Okmulgee County’s Sheriff Eddy Rice confirmed that there were two deaths related to a tornado in Beggs, Ok.
“As of this time, all persons are accounted for and there are no more missing persons,” he wrote in a social media statement. “Please pray for our community and give emergency services space to work and report injuries or missing persons to 911.”
One day earlier, on Thursday, March 5, a substitute teacher, Jodie Owens, 47, and her daughter, Lexi Owens, 13, were found dead together in a car after a tornado touched down in northern Oklahoma and seemingly struck their van.
“Jodie was on the phone with her kids telling them to take cover when the tornado struck her van taking both of them,” Jodie’s sister, Janelle, wrote on GoFundMe after the tragic incident. “Jodie is the mother to 8 children and 4 grandchildren and a baby granddaughter due on May 1st that Jodie was so excited about and will never get to hold.”
Gov. Kevin Stitt wrote on X later that night, “I am praying for the family as they grieve this tragic loss, as well as all those impacted by the storms.”
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