At least six people were killed Friday in Michigan and Oklahoma as powerful storms swept across the central United States, producing tornadoes that destroyed homes, ripped roofs apart and scattered debris across communities.

In southern Michigan, severe storms brought down trees and triggered multiple tornado warnings. Authorities reported significant damage across several counties.

In Branch County, near the Union Lake area about two hours from Detroit, officials confirmed three deaths and 12 injuries, with several people taken to hospitals. Emergency crews spent hours responding to damage and assisting residents.

Roughly 50 miles southwest in Cass County, authorities reported one additional fatality. Emergency officials said numerous structures, including homes and barns, suffered severe damage, with some completely destroyed.

Residents described frightening scenes as the storms moved through. One Three Rivers resident told reporters they watched the tornado move through their neighborhood and feared for family members who lived nearby, saying they were grateful their loved ones were safe.

The National Weather Service confirmed at least one tornado near Union City, with reports suggesting additional possible tornadoes in the region. Part of a historic church in Union City was damaged, though a nearly 150-year-old grand piano inside the building remained intact.

Meteorologists said the storms formed when a weather system pulling moisture from the Gulf of Mexico collided with a warm front moving north, creating ideal conditions for tornado development. When the system met colder air over the Great Lakes region, severe weather intensified.

Although Michigan experiences tornadoes, they are relatively uncommon compared with other states. The state averages about 15 tornadoes per year, far fewer than Texas or Kansas, according to the National Weather Service.

Michigan Governor Gretchen Whitmer activated the State Emergency Operations Center to coordinate response efforts and assist affected communities.

Storm damage was also reported near the Indiana border, where fallen trees and heavily damaged homes forced officials to warn residents to avoid certain areas. Authorities cautioned that residents could face power outages, blocked roads and communication disruptions.

Meanwhile, Oklahoma also experienced severe weather. In Okmulgee County, about 30 miles south of Tulsa, a tornado carved a damage path roughly four miles long. Emergency officials said full damage assessments would take time as crews worked to clear roads and reach affected areas.

Officials later confirmed two weather-related deaths in the town of Beggs, which Governor Kevin Stitt said was among the communities hit by tornadoes.

Authorities also reported that a 47-year-old woman and her 13-year-old daughter were found dead in a vehicle after what appeared to be a tornado-related crash near Fairview.

Across the region, severe weather threatened millions of Americans. The Storm Prediction Center warned that more than 7 million people were in the highest risk area for severe storms Friday, including cities such as Kansas City, Tulsa and Omaha, while nearly 25 million people faced an elevated risk across a wider area stretching from Dallas to Milwaukee.

Forecasters say the storms come at the start of the U.S. spring tornado season, when powerful weather systems often develop across the Plains and Midwest. Authorities are urging residents to remain alert, monitor weather alerts and have a plan in place for seeking shelter during severe storms.