Gov. Gretchen Whitmer is touring the damaged areas after at least four tornadoes hit the southwest part of the state on Friday.

Gov. Whitmer is joining Michigan State Police (MSP) troopers on Sunday morning as they survey the damage of Branch County, Cass County and St. Joseph County from a helicopter following at least four tornadoes that tore through the southwestern part of the state, according to Gov. Whitmer.

“This morning, I’ve declared a state of emergency for Branch, Cass, and St. Joseph counties. This state of emergency declaration will ensure that every state resource is available to assist in recovery efforts from the devastating tornadoes on Friday,” Gov. Whitmer said. “Our entire state is wrapping its arms around Three Rivers, Union City, Edwardsburg, and everywhere in between. Our hearts are with the families who lost loved ones and the Michiganders who were injured. I will be joining the Michigan State Police today to tour the impacted areas and assess the damage. We will get through this together.”

On Sunday, Gov. Whitmer declared an official state emergency for the southern counties to assist with response and recovery efforts.

At least three people died after the tornadoes and 12 others were hurt.

Preliminary information from the National Weather Services reports four tornadoes hit the state between about 3 and 5:30 p.m.: a 130mph wind EF2 in Three Rivers, an EF3 in Union City with winds of at least 150mph, a smaller but still powerful 85mph winds EF0 in southern Calhoun County in Clarendon Township and a not-yet-rated tornado in Edwardsburg that took the life of a 12-year-old boy.

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