Severe storms swept through southwest Michigan on Friday, triggering tornado warnings and causing significant damage. A Menards store in Three Rivers was hit by a tornado, with videos showing the aftermath of the storm.
The National Weather Service confirmed a tornado in St. Joseph County, with storm chasers and emergency management personnel reporting that the tornado touched down multiple times before causing damage on the southwest side of Three Rivers.
Debris was scattered around the Menards building and nearby parking areas, with roof pieces and building materials spread across the site. A video footage showed the storm ripping portions of the Menards building's roof off.
Additionally, a tornado in neighboring Cass County left someone trapped and in need of extrication. The storms also triggered widespread power outages across southwest Michigan, with thousands of customers without electricity across multiple counties.
Utility companies reported 5,414 customers without power in St. Joseph County as of 4:30 p.m. Friday, with power expected to be restored by 9 p.m. Cass County reported fewer than 100 individuals without power, while over 2,000 residents in Calhoun County were without power on Friday afternoon.
