WLKM Radio 95.9 FM
On the afternoon of Friday, March 6th, 2026, a lone supercell developed in La Porte County, IN and tracked northeast into Lower Michigan. The supercell moved through Cass, St Joseph, and Branch counties. There were numerous reports called in to our office and videos posted on social media by storm chasers, broadcast media, trained spotters, and the public confirming tornado damage in Edwardsburg, Three Rivers, and Union City. The north side of Union Lake in Union City was one of the hardest hit areas with numerous homes taking on significant damage and trees sheared off. Several businesses in the city of Three Rivers also sustained notable damage. There have been multiple confirmed fatalities and injuries. Three fatalities have been confirmed in Branch County and one fatality occurred in Cass County; there were also 12 confirmed injuries in Union City (Branch County) and several others in the Edwardsburg area (Cass county).
Survey Updates: March 7th, 2026 as of 7:38 pm EST
A team went out and conducted surveys of the Three Rivers and Union City, tornadoes during the day on March 7th. Here are the preliminary ratings of these tornadoes. The National Weather Service is reviewing additional drone, video/photo evidence for these tornadoes and will provide updates on path, timing, etc. once finalized.
Three Rivers…
Rating: EF-2
Estimated peak wind: 130 mph
Path length /Statute/: TBD
Path width /Maximum/: TBD
Fatalities: 0
Injuries: 10
Start date: 3/6/2026
Start time: TBD
Start location: TBD
Start Lat/Lon: TBD
End date: 3/6/2026
End time: TBD
End location: TBD
SURVEY SUMMARY:
A NWS survey was initiated in Three Rivers late this afternoon. Initial efforts focused on the area of M-60 and West Broadway St where a number of commercial structures were damaged. Based on the assessment of these structures, an EF-2 tornado with winds estimated of at least 130 mph has been confirmed. Only a small portion of the possible track has been assessed. As a result, no path length or width data, as well as a start or end times are available.
Further details will be released on Sunday, March 8, as they become available.
NWS Damage Survey for 03/06/26 Tornado Event…
A supercell thunderstorm produced damage in portions of Cass, St. Joseph and Branch counties in Michigan.
Union Lake, MI
Rating: EF-3
Estimated Peak Wind: 150 mph
Path Length /statute/: TBD
Path Width /maximum/: TBD
Fatalities: 3
Injuries: 12
Survey Summary:
A NWS survey is underway in the area of Union Lake and Union City. Damage in the area as well as other operations are limiting access to some locations. However, in the area of Tuttle Road and Prairie Rose Lane, severe damage has occurred to several homes.
Based on the initial assessment of the structures, an EF-3 tornado with winds estimated to have been at least 150 mph, has been confirmed. Only a small portion of the possible track has been assessed so no path length or length data as well as a start or stop time is available yet.
Further details will be released as they become available.
