Three people have been killed and three were taken to a hospital after an apparent tornado hit a Michigan town, authorities said.
Stay up to date. Click here to subscribe to EarthSky’s free daily newsletter.
At least six people were killed in the past two days in the central U.S. as powerful storms swept through, producing at least three tornados. CBSNews reports that, in Michigan yesterday, the storms …
… reduced homes to rubble, sent parts of roofs flying into the air and left a trail of debris hanging from power lines.
The Michigan storms knocked down trees as tornado warnings were issued across the southern part of the state.
In the Union Lake area of Branch County, about two hours outside Detroit, there were three reported deaths, 12 injuries and three individuals transported to the hospital as of Friday evening, the Branch County Sheriff’s Office said in a statement.
Meanwhile, in Oklahoma Thursday night, a mother and daughter were killed after their vehicle was hit by a tornado near the town of Fairview.
The storm threat moves east Saturday. Remember to stay weather aware today. Keep reading for what to do if you’re under a tornado warning. And look below for more images from around the internet.
A tornado was confirmed by the National Weather Service in south Michigan (Union City)Source: www.facebook.com/share/v/188U…
— Phil Lewis (@phillewis.bsky.social) 2026-03-06T23:42:13.667Z
Saturday’s severe risk
The threat for severe weather shifts east for Saturday, March 7. Thunderstorms may occur from the Texas/Mexico border up through Virginia. Meanwhile, a Marginal Risk area runs from northern South Carolina to northern Virginia. The forecast for Saturday predicts mainly isolated severe thunderstorms and hail.
Read: Be a storm spotter and help during severe weather
Reports from the last 2 days
#tornado last night near Bluff City, KS around 11:30pm #kswx
— JP Midwest Storm Chaser (@jpmidwest.bsky.social) 2026-03-06T15:34:01.183Z
A screen capture of the Fairview ‘, OK tornado from Jeromy Carter.
— Chris ?ozoff (@agitatedcu.bsky.social) 2026-03-06T03:30:50.434Z
Climate change is changing the tornado season. A deadly tornado in Michigan in early March is extremely rare. www.nytimes.com/2026/03/06/w…
— Danny Satterfield (@wildweatherdan.bsky.social) 2026-03-07T04:23:36.238Z
Mother and daughter killed in Oklahoma tornado
Severe weather forecast for Sunday
Severe weather preparedness
Knowing how to stay safe during severe weather is vital, but it starts with being informed. First of all: know your forecast. Make sure you are getting your weather from a trusted source, such as the National Weather Service. To get the latest information, go to their website and type in your location in the upper-left to get an up-to-date forecast. You can also rely on your location television stations.
You also need to have multiple ways to receive weather warnings, should they be issued. Tornado warnings will sound on your cell phones, as well as some severe thunderstorms warnings. But the most reliable way to get important weather information is through a weather radio, tuned into your location. These radios are designed to be loud, waking you up in the middle of the night or alerting you from another room.
Storms, especially severe storms, can move in quickly. If a storm arrives, go inside and wait out the storm. Get away from windows. If your phone or weather radio goes off for a tornado warning, this means a tornado has either been spotted or has been indicated by radar.
Science news, night sky events and beautiful photos, all in one place. Click here to subscribe to our free daily newsletter.
Where to seek shelter
The safest place for you to seek shelter during a tornado is in a basement or storm shelter. Underground will always provide you your best protection. But if you don’t have access to a basement or shelter, get as low as you can. Whether in a house, apartment building or condo, get to the lowest, ground-level floor, in the center of that building away from all windows and outside walls. An interior closet or bathroom is a good place to shelter.
If you live in a mobile home, you must get out. Even with tornado straps, a tornado can quickly sweep a mobile off its foundation. And if you are inside, you will be taken with it. If your mobile home community has an activities or common center, that is a better option. Otherwise, find another sturdy structure like a nearby business to take shelter.
The same is true if you’re in your car: you are not safe in your car during a tornado. If you are driving and a tornado is coming, find the closest business or home to seek shelter. And never park under an overpass. The winds can be funneled and made stronger, making you more susceptible to not just winds but flying debris.
Bottom line: At least six people were killed by tornadoes in the central U.S. More severe weather is forecast for Saturday. Stay up to date with the forecast with your National Weather Service office.
Read more: Cloud shapes are a useful tool for predicting weather
Like what you read?
Subscribe and receive daily news delivered to your inbox.
More from
Rachel Duensing
U.S. heatwave breaks multiple all-time highs
Be a storm spotter and help during severe weather
When’s the first day of spring? All you need to know
Major winter storm set to impact large swath of the U.S.
