Tornado Update and Resources

As you know, much of our district was battered by severe storms and tornadoes on Friday evening, some of which have tragically taken the lives of members of our community. I would like to express my sincerest condolences to the families and friends of these individuals, as well as all those who were impacted by this horrific event. We've been working with local, state, and federal officials on the ground to do everything we can to assist. I have been assessing damage with officials and am attentive to their needs as they continue with debris removal, damage assessments, and power restoration. We express our deepest gratitude to the first responders and their tireless work these past few days. Please also note that our district is currently forecasted to face severe weather again on Tuesday evening. Please take precautions and use this resource to learn how you can be as prepared as possible. If you or someone you know is in need of assistance, please help share some of these resources. Important Reminders For sheltering or human resources needs, please call 211. If the building you are in has been damaged, exit with extreme care and stay out. Look around for things that might fall or dangerous debris. Do not use matches or lighters inside. If you smell gas or see spills that could be flammable, leave immediately. Watch out for fallen power lines or broken gas lines and report them to the utility company immediately. If you happen to see downed power wires, stay at least 25 feet away and call either 911 or your energy company to report the downed line. Always assume any downed wire is live, and be extremely cautious picking up any branches as downed wires can blend in. Crews are working to restore power to the thousands of Michiganders still without it. Take pictures of home damage, both of the buildings and contents, for insurance purposes. Scams often pop up after storms like these. You can avoid any tree removal related scams by being and staying aware of common scam tactics. Please do not fly any drones over affected storm areas. For information on cleanup guidance, please click here. Red Cross Shelter In partnership with the American Red Cross, Riverside Church (207 E. Michigan Ave., Three Rivers) is serving as an emergency shelter for those in our community needing food, shelter, supplies, and assistance. The shelter is open to everyone, even if you only need a short period of relief like meals, snacks, a friendly face or conversation and access to electricity. Those who are coming to the shelter are encouraged to bring personal hygiene items, pillows, blankets, or comfort items. Pets are also welcome at the shelter. Union City High School Union City High School has been set up as a resource center for community members for shelter or other needs. If you would like to donate supplies, volunteer, or offer resources, please contact the high school. Edwardsburg Public Schools The cafeteria at the Intermediate School (69410 Section St.) has been opened to families, community members, and first responders who need shelter or a meal. Volunteering Thank you to all the dedicated volunteers who have been providing support and resources to our community. If you would like to help, please do not self-deploy to the area. Instead, reach out to an affiliated group. You can reach out to the Red Cross through their website, St. Joseph County United Way by calling 269-467-9099 or 269-251-2033, or Samaritan's Purse through their website. Today, I also had the opportunity to meet with some dedicated volunteers from Samaritan's Purse and offer up a prayer for the group before they went out into the community to help with cleanup efforts. Michigan's 5th District has an unwavering spirit. Neighbors are helping neighbors, volunteers are stepping forward without hesitation, and our first responders are working tirelessly. These moments reveal the true character of our community. Rebuilding will take time, but we will move forward together. Please do not hesitate to reach out to my Niles or Jackson District Offices if we can provide any assistance at this time by calling (269) 479-3115 or (517) 780-9075.