In the aftermath of powerful storms that killed four people and damaged property in southwest Michigan on Friday, victims and their advocates are asking for help.
Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer has declared a state of emergency for Branch, Cass and St. Joseph counties following the storms that ravaged the region Friday afternoon. Four tornadoes were confirmed, and Whitmer’s office has called for a federal investigation into why no tornado watch was issued before the storms touched down.
Authorities and funeral home officials have confirmed the identities of three of the victims killed by the storm, while a fourth name hasn’t been released.
Penni Jo Guthrie, 65, of Union City, Keri Ann Johnson, 54, of Union City, and Silas Anderson, 12, of the Edwardsburg area of Cass County, died from injuries from the storm.
As residents pick up the pieces, requests for help have been posted to GoFundMe.com. Officials from the crowdfunding website confirmed the authenticity of the pages:
This article originally appeared on The Detroit News: Michigan tornado victims, advocates turn to fundraisers for help
Reporting by George Hunter, The Detroit News / The Detroit News
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
