Neighbors lead the way in Southwest Michigan tornado recovery

From the steady hum of chainsaws to the constant stream of hot meals being served out of local church kitchens, the spirit of Southwest Michigan is on full display this week. 

Following a devastating tornado that tore through Branch, Cass, and St. Joseph counties, the focus has shifted from surviving the storm to rebuilding the community.

In the immediate wake of the disaster, the response has been swift. “Boots on the ground” volunteers are working alongside state and local agencies to clear debris, while schools and churches have transformed into command centers for long-term recovery.

The transition from tragedy to action is a testament to the region’s character, according to local officials.

“While we never want tragedy to strike Cass County,” says County Administrator Jennifer Rentfrow, “moments like this remind us that we are a community that stands together and supports one another.”

The storm, which spawned four tornadoes across Lower Michigan, ranging from EF-0 to EF-3 intensity, left a somber mark on the region — claiming four lives, injuring a dozen more, and leveling homes and businesses across several small towns. However, the debris is already being cleared by the very people who live there.

As Rentfrow puts it: “In times of tragedy, our community shows up.”

What happened

Emergency crews were deployed across a swath of southern Michigan on the evening of March 6 after multiple tornadoes touched down across the region, causing widespread damages, injuries and loss of life. 

Three people were killed when a tornado struck Union City in Branch County. Another tornado in Cass County claimed one life, officials said. It was the deadliest tornado in Michigan since 1980, according to the National Weather Service.

The communities hit the hardest were Edwardsburg, a village of about 1,300 in Cass County; Union City, home to about 1,700 people in Branch County; and Three Rivers, with a population around 8,000, in St. Joseph County, where homes and businesses were heavily damaged. The Menards’ store there had its roof blown off. 

The three rural counties border the Michigan-Indiana state line. Toppled trees blocked roads and tore down power lines in the storm’s path.

Cass County Emergency Manager Manny DeLaRosa says many homes, businesses and outbuildings were destroyed.

Gov.  Gretchen Whitmer has declared a state of emergency for Branch, Cass, and St. Joseph counties to assist with response and recovery efforts.  

Says Cass County’s Rentfrow:  “This week has been devastating for many in our community, but it has also been a powerful reminder of the compassion and resilience of Cass County residents. We have seen countless individuals working long hours to remove debris, organize donations, connect neighbors with resources, and provide emotional support to those who need it most.”

Help came fast

Before the sun rose the following day of the storm, the American Red Cross was on site and relief efforts had already begun.

Zack East, senior director of organizational sustainability for United Way of Southwest Michigan, says Edwardsburg Public Schools and the Cass County Emergency Operations Center are leading the relief effort. 

Edwardsburg Public Schools is collecting donations — primarily gift cards for restaurants and big box stores that those in need can easily use — and is providing a safe space and other resources for those impacted. A sixth-grader at the school was among the four people who died as a result of tornadoes.

United Way of Southwest Michigan activated its Southwest Michigan Cares Fund to move dollars quickly to the people and organizations doing the most critical ground work. One hundred percent of donations designated to the Southwest Michigan Cares Fund are directed to recovery efforts in the impacted communities of Cass, St. Joseph, and Branch counties. Since Saturday, more than $12,000 has been raised.

“United Way of Southwest Michigan is committed to working alongside our United Way partners to make sure every dollar donated to the Southwest Michigan Cares Fund reaches the people and communities that need it most,” said Anna Murphy, president and CEO of United Way of Southwest Michigan.

The Branch County Community Foundation has an Emergency Relief Fund in place to accept donations to assist with recovery efforts. Coincidentally, that fund was set up with the Branch County United Way after tornadoes hit the Sherwood community in 2024. 

The community foundation collects the funds, which are distributed by the Branch County United Way to residents or agencies in need. The Union City School District is managing local recovery efforts. 

“The amount of support for Union City has been incredible, and they have been blessed with an abundance of physical donations and volunteers,” said Erica Heminger, executive director of the Branch County Community Foundation. “As the Union City community begins to rebuild after this tragedy, there will be a need for funding to help address unforeseen expenses and emergency needs.”

In addition, individual GoFundMe pages have been set up to raise money for those who have lost everything. The Michigan Storm Chasers has organized an Amazon Wishlist to help those impacted in Edwardsburg, Three Rivers and Union City.

Samaritan’s Purse will tap volunteers for a cleanup day later this month. Cass County has partnered with RB Trucking to provide dumpsters for residents to dispose of storm debris. 

Cass County’s DeLaRosa is working with Mennonite Disaster Service to coordinate volunteer cleanup efforts and assist with repairs. 

“We met yesterday, and right now the needs are to clean up trees,” says Dayton Frey, who is president of the Mennonite Disaster Service unit that covers lower Michigan and upper Indiana. Some 600-700 churches participate in the volunteer organization.

Sam Bantreager, a member of the Amish community in Sturgis, is one of the organizers of an ACTS team — Acknowledging Christ Through acts of Service — with 25-30 volunteers clearing debris and another 50-70 on standby for construction help when rebuilding can begin.

“The rebuilding will be down the road a little bit but that’s something that we’re looking to get involved in,” he says.

Need help?

Those in need of immediate assistance should contact the American Red Cross at 1-800-RED-CROSS or dial 211. 

United Way is providing the 211-resource hotline, funded by United Ways across the state as well as the State of Michigan, to connect callers for free to information about food, shelter, caregiving, utility assistance, and more. Click here for help. 

Want to help?

Southwest Michigan residents who want to help are encouraged to donate online. 

Volunteers can sign up to assist with recovery efforts as upcoming volunteer projects throughout the region are assessed and posted.

The United Way’s Volunteer United portal provides volunteers with opportunities.  Volunteers should create a free profile on the Volunteer United site now to be alerted about opportunities as they become available.