Drone footage released by the Michigan State Police Aviation Unit captures the extensive destruction caused by an EF3 tornado in Union City on March 6, 2026. The tornado, with estimated winds of 150 mph, left homes flattened, debris scattered across streets, and icy lake edges damaged. The storm resulted in at least four fatalities and more than a dozen injuries.

This rare early-spring tornado is part of a broader southern Michigan outbreak, which included an EF2 tornado in nearby Three Rivers. The event highlights a notable shift in tornado patterns, as National Weather Service data indicate a roughly 20% increase in March tornadoes in the region since 2000. Experts attribute this trend to changing climate conditions that are gradually moving peak tornado season northward and earlier in the year.

The drone footage provides a comprehensive perspective on the scale of destruction, documenting both residential and natural areas affected by the tornado. Emergency services have been working to assess damages, aid displaced residents, and restore basic infrastructure, while meteorologists continue to warn of ongoing storm activity in surrounding counties.

The Union City tornado underscores the increasing risks posed by severe weather outside traditional tornado season and emphasizes the need for enhanced preparedness measures in northern regions that historically experience fewer spring tornadoes.