EF3 tornado in Branch County, Michigan

The most intense and deadly tornado of the cyclic tornadic

supercell touched down in northwest Branch county, northwest of

Union Lake between Blossom Rd and Mendon Rd. This tornado was

well photographed from multiple angles, and it quickly turned

into a multi-vortex wedge. After destroying a pole barn and

damaging a residence, the tornado deposited a 500 gallon propane

tank in a field. Drone footage also showed ground scouring in the

same field. The tornado continued northeast and caused the most

widespread and intense damage along Prairie Rose Ln. Every

residence along this stretch was either heavily damaged or

completely destroyed. Tragically, three individuals lost their

lives here when their manufactured homes were lofted and tossed.

One of these trailers was well anchored and tossed approximately

100 yards, badly twisting the frame. Numerous vehicles were also

tossed in this area. The maximum peak intensity of 160 mph was

estimated to be at the corner of Tuttle Rd and Prairie Rose Ln.

This 2 story block home was completely destroyed. Construction

quality and older building codes of all homes in this area

contributed to their failure and precluded the survey team from

being able to rate higher than an EF-3. The tornado continued off

to the northeast into Union City producing EF-1 to EF2 damage

along the way before dissipating at the Branch/Calhoun county

line. Special thanks to the various subject matter experts on the

Quick Response Team that helped NWS Northern Indiana determine

this tornado's intensity.

On the afternoon of 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, Branch, and Calhoun counties. NWS storm damage surveys from NWS Northern Indiana and NWS Grand Rapids found that the parent supercell spawned 4 tornadoes across Lower Michigan, ranging from EF-0 to EF-3 intensity. 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. Unfortunately, there were multiple fatalities and injuries across Lower Michigan.