Tornadoes march through southwest Michigan; several counties still under watch alerts

MICHIGAN — Severe weather stormed across the country on Friday afternoon, with damaging tornadoes reported in the Three Rivers area as well as Oklahoma.

Social media users shared videos of twisters, including one ripping the roof off a Menards store in St. Joseph County, pulling apart a storage unit, and lifting cars in the parking lot of a strip mall along US-131.

Another post showed a tornado in Branch County's Union City, just northeast of Three Rivers.

Tornadoes were also spotted in the areas of Edwardsburg and Juno Lake in Cass County around 3:15 p.m., as well as Union City in Branch County shortly after 4:30 p.m., The Detroit News reported.

Storms awere expected in Livingston County this evening, with winds in excess of 40 mph and pea-sized hail possible, according to the National Weather Service. The agency said winds could knock down tree limbs and move unsecured objects.

Residents in the Jackson area were urged to take cover as the storm system continued to head northeast.

A severe thunderstorm watch remains in effect for Allegan, Barry, Branch, Hillsdale, Jackson, St. Joseph and Van Buren counties through 11 p.m.

A tornado was also confirmed in Tulsa, Oklahoma, with dramatic footage of power lines flashing in the night sky.

Large hail, damaging winds and strong tornadoes were expected as the system crossed a large swath of the Plains and Midwest, stretching from north Texas up through Wisconsin.

Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer activated the State Emergency Operations Center following the severe weather reports.

In a post on X, Whitmer said: "Tonight, I am activating our State Emergency Operations Center to coordinate an all-hands-on-deck response to severe weather in southwestern Michigan. By taking this action, we can ensure the state can monitor and respond to local requests."