Michiganders were left shocked and caught off guard Friday after tornadoes tore through southwest Michigan, despite a relatively low predicted chance of severe weather that day. The storm left a trail of destruction that included deaths, injuries, and heavily damaged buildings.

Those communities are now beginning the long process of cleaning up and rebuilding.

Today, we’ll hear from residents who lived through the storms and how officials are responding as the state deals with the aftermath.

Plus: Should Michigan legalize permitless concealed carry?

P.S. For those wanting to help the affected communities, please consider volunteering or donating to the American Red Cross.

If you are in an affected community and are in need of shelter or other assistance, call 211.

For information on cleaning up storm debris in your community, head here.

Whitmer calls for probe into lack of tornado watch (The Detroit News): Gov. Gretchen Whitmer is calling for a federal investigation into why no tornado watch was issued before the deadly storm that struck southwest Michigan last Friday, killing four and injuring several others.

Macomb County to post cast ballots online (Votebeat): In an effort to address election distrust, Michigan’s Macomb County has begun posting images of every ballot cast online using a program called Ballot Verifier to increase election transparency. County officials say the system lets voters review how ballots were counted while still protecting voter identities.

Lansing zoo euthanizes tiger (WLNS): Lansing’s Potter Park Zoo says Vikentii, a 16-year-old Amur tiger, was humanely euthanized after a sudden neurological decline affected his mobility. Zoo officials say the tiger, who arrived in 2023, had surpassed the typical life expectancy for Amur tigers in human care.

Freeman “Chip” Riddle, 64, stands on the back side of his house on Tuttle Road in Union City on March 8. (USA Today Network)

By USA Today Network via Reuters Connect

Among the rubble and tornado-battered houses along Tuttle Road in Union City on Sunday, March 8, a pole waving a large American flag stood strong.

Freeman “Chip” Riddle returned to Union City from vacation on Sunday to a severely damaged house, a demolished barn and some of his belongings strewn across the field around his home. But the large American flag he’s displayed since 2010 was still flying.

“It tore it pretty good,” Riddle said. “I’m going to put a new one up, but not until we get done here. It’s kind of making a statement that we survived … it looks like a battle flag.”

Riddle, 64, was one of many Tuttle Road residents who came home Sunday for the first time since tornadoes tore across three southern Michigan counties on Friday, killing four people and injuring at least a dozen others. The road, which winds on the north side of Union Lake, was closed to traffic on Saturday as search and rescue efforts continued in the area. Some residents fled before the storm, others said they stayed with family while the power was out and some sought temporary shelter in the aftermath of the storm.

Want deeper coverage of Michigan politics? Our free Thursday newsletter, This Week in Michigan Politics, breaks down what’s happening in Lansing and Washington—clearly and without the jargon.

With the midterms approaching, we’ll keep you informed on what could affect your day-to-day life.

Interested?

While openly carrying firearms is legal in Michigan, some state lawmakers want to take it a step further.

Last week, we shared news of a Republican-backed bill package that, if passed, would allow for Michiganders to carry a concealed pistol without a permit.

That’s why this week, we want to know:

Reminder: When responding, include your first name and where you’re from to have your answer included.

Have a question you want me to ask our community? Send it my way. I might feature it in a future edition.

Missed the answers to last week’s question: “What are your thoughts on a war with Iran?” Find them in our Friday newsletter here.

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Thanks for reading. This newsletter was written by Karel Vega with a feature story from USA Today Network via Reuters Connect. It was edited by Paula Solis.

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