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THREE RIVERS, Mich. — The Three Rivers Health campus sustained damage during Friday’s devastating tornado that swept through southwest Michigan, but hospital officials confirmed that the facility and its emergency room remain fully operational and open to patients .
Hospital Status
Three Rivers Health, part of the Beacon Health System, serves St. Joseph, Kalamazoo, and surrounding southern Michigan communities with 78 beds and a 24-hour emergency department . Following Friday’s storms, the hospital confirmed it is open and continuing to provide care.
“Our Emergency Department is open and staffed 24 hours a day, seven days a week,” the hospital states . “With shorter wait times and board-certified providers, you will get answers when you need them most.”
Storm Damage Context
The hospital’s operational status is particularly critical given the widespread destruction across Three Rivers. The tornado caused significant damage to multiple structures, including the Menards store on West Broadway Street, which lost part of its roof, and nearby buildings .
Eyewitness Casey Saddison described the terrifying moments when the tornado struck: “Wind gusts lifted their car off the ground and the wall next to them collapsed” .
For over a mile along West Broadway Street, the area was covered in a tangle of wires, sheet metal, and glass . Dozens of people sustained minor injuries and were seen surveying damage to businesses and vehicles .
Regional Impact
The severe weather outbreak, which struck shortly after the National Weather Service issued tornado warnings, resulted in at least four fatalities across Branch and Cass counties :
| County | Fatalities | Injuries |
|---|---|---|
| Branch County (Union City area) | 3 | ~12 |
| Cass County | 1 | Several |
Hundreds of residents were left without electricity as the storms knocked down power lines and damaged infrastructure. Union City officials reported that the northern side of Union Lake was among the hardest-hit areas, with roughly two miles of power lines brought down .
Government Response
Michigan Governor Gretchen Whitmer activated the State Emergency Operations Center to monitor the situation and support local authorities . State officials confirmed that local emergency responders were handling the immediate aftermath of what they described as “a very devastating afternoon and evening in southwest Michigan” .
Looking Ahead
Power restoration efforts may take several days as crews work to repair damaged infrastructure . The Weather Network reports that the same storm system is impacting Ontario with thunderstorms heading into the weekend, though no tornado threat is expected in Canada .
For Three Rivers residents, the hospital’s continued operation provides a critical lifeline as the community begins the long process of recovery and rebuilding.
