Gov. Whitmer seeks federal disaster declaration after deadly March 6 tornadoes
Gov. Gretchen Whitmer requested a major disaster declaration from President Donald Trump after tornadoes in Branch, Cass and St. Joseph counties killed four people and destroyed homes and businesses.
Updated on: April 2, 2026 / 10:07 AM EDT / CBS Detroit
Gov. Gretchen Whitmer has requested that President Trump declare a major disaster for southwest Michigan after tornadoes in March killed four people , marking the deadliest tornado event in the state in nearly five decades.
The request follows multiple tornado touchdowns on March 6, which struck communities in Branch, Cass and St. Joseph counties. The tornadoes ranged in intensity from EF-0 to EF-3, damaging or destroying numerous homes and businesses, overturning vehicles and causing widespread power outages.
"These tornadoes brought heartbreaking loss and widespread destruction to Southwest Michigan," Whitmer said. "Michigan families have lost loved ones, homes and businesses."
Whitmer cited the EF-3 tornado with winds of at least 165 mph that tore through Union City in Branch County, killing three adults. In Cass County, a 12-year-old child died in the storm.
In the immediate aftermath of the tornadoes, Whitmer's office asked for an investigation into why the National Weather Service hadn't issued a tornado watch ahead of the storms, hinting at the notion that federal budget cutbacks at the National Weather Service may have had an impact.