THREE RIVERS, MI (WKZO AM/FM) – A pair of tornadoes struck southwest Michigan Friday afternoon, causing severe damage in both St. Joseph and Branch County.
First responders say a tornado touched down near 131 in the Three Rivers area before heading northeast causing serious damage to homes and businesses. Some homes had major damage, including walls and roofs ripped off. Power lines and poles were also downed, knocking out traffic signals.
The first Tornado Warning for Cass and St. Joseph County was issued at 3:15 p.m., with a second for St. Joseph and Branch County issued at 4:03 p.m. That was for the tornado that struck Three Rivers.
At the same time Kalamazoo County was placed under a Severe Thunderstorm Warning until 5:00 p.m.
Another Tornado Warning was issued at 4:26 p.m. for the tornado that appeared west of Union City at the Branch and Calhoun County line. A Tornado Warning was issued a short time later for Calhoun County as the storm traveled northeast along the route of M-60.
In Branch County, emergency crews were on the scene Friday night in the areas of Sherwood and Union Townships.
According to scanner traffic several structures have been damaged in the area of Blossom Road, Tuttle Road and, Prairie Rose Lane.
There had been reports of entrapment at multiple locations and injuries in that area.
Emergency crews have been searching homes to account for those living in the damaged areas.
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