Photos: 17 tornadoes strike Heartland in multi-day outbreak, leaving 8 dead and communities devastated

04:12

Recovery continues in Union City, Michigan, after deadly tornado outbreak

FOX Weather Meteorologist Haley Meier is live on the ground in Union City, Michigan, continuing coverage after a powerful EF-3 tornado devastated the community. She is joined by Tim Miner, Director of the Branch County Office of Emergency Management, to provide updates on recovery efforts and progress:

The Heartland is reeling after a catastrophic outbreak of tornadoes claimed at least eight lives, leaving a trail of splintered homes and shattered communities in its wake on Thursday and Friday.

This devastation was part of a multi-day severe weather outbreak that began across Texas, the Plains, and the Midwest before moving toward the Great Lakes and the Northeast on Saturday. 

The storm system spanned more than 1,500 miles—from Northeast to Texas—and impacted over 90 million people.

The Branch County Sheriff’s Office has identified three victims killed in southwest Michigan, all ranging in ages between 54 and 65 years old.

William Andrew Akers, Keri Ann Johnson and Penni Jo Guthrie were all recovered in the Prairie Road Lane/Tuttle Road Drive location — one of the most heavily impacted areas. 

AT LEAST 8 KILLED FROM DESTRUCTIVE TORNADOES AS SEVERE WEATHER OUTBREAK DEVASTATES AMERICA'S HEARTLAND

The Cass County Sheriff’s Office identified a 12-year-old boy as one of the other victims among the four killed in southwest Michigan.

Authorities say the boy, Silas Anderson, was reported missing as severe storms slammed the area and was later found injured; he was taken to a hospital where he later died.

Michigan Governor Gretchen Whitmer declared a State of Emergency for the impacted counties devastated by the deadly outbreak ahead of touring the impacted communities with the Michigan State Police on Sunday. 

At least nine tornadoes ripped through the Heartland between Thursday and Saturday, ranging in strength from EF-0 to EF-3 and leaving communities devastated in their wake.

The ravaging storms—including powerful winds ranging from 80 mph and up to 160 mph in some areas, damaging hail, and intense tornadoes—leveled homes, tore apart communities, and left neighborhoods in ruins across parts of the Midwest and Plains.

One mobile home was even tossed nearly 100 yards in Union Lake, Michigan. 

Possible tornado looms over highway in Major County, Oklahoma late Thursday.

(Fairview Emergency Management / FOX Weather)

Between Thursday and Friday, the vicious tornadoes swept through Michigan and Oklahoma, claiming eight lives and injuring several people. 

RELATIVE DETAILS THE MOMENTS MOTHER AND DAUGHTER WERE TRAGICALLY KILLED IN OKLAHOMA TORNADO

States of Emergency and/or Emergency Operations in Michigan, Texas, and Missouri were declared Friday as well. 

On Thursday, a mother and daughter were killed during the severe weather outbreak in Major County, Oklahoma.

Images from the affected areas reveal the staggering scale of destruction as tornadoes ripped roofs off homes and structures in a matter of minutes.

Marion County, Texas, is under a disaster declaration due to the tornado activity that caused damage throughout the community and injured multiple people. 

NOAA'S STORM PREDICTION CENTER DEBUTS REVAMP TO SEVERE WEATHER OUTLOOKS THIS SEASON

01:36

Watch: Lightning flashes across Texas Panhandle amid severe storms Thursday

Lightning flashes across Wellington, Texas, amid severe storms Thursday.

Union City was among the hardest-hit areas, as a tornado carved its way through the state, snapping trees, damaging vehicles, ripping roofs off homes and buildings, and completely leveling some structures across the community.

Devastating tornado damage in Union City, Michigan

(517Drone Video and Photography / FOX Weather)

FOX Weather Meteorologist Haley Meier was on the ground in Union City on Saturday, bringing us the ground truth after an EF-3 tornado ravaged the community. 

04:46

Live from Union City, Michigan after a devastating EF-3 Tornado levels community

FOX Weather Meteorologist Haley Meier is live from Union City, Michigan one day after a dangerous EF-3 tornado packing estimated winds of 150 mph killed 3 people.

A Union City church — just one of the many structures tarnished— is left in shambles after Friday's severe weather outbreak.

Tornado damages church in Union City, MI, Friday March 6

(KRISTEN RIEDER)

MOTHER, DAUGHTER TRAGICALLY KILLED DURING SEVERE WEATHER IN OKLAHOMA AS OUTBREAK CONTINUES ACROSS REGION

Tornado damages church in Union City, MI, Friday March 6

(KRISTEN RIEDER)

Parts of the roof ripped off and fell in, scattering debris everywhere.

Video captured of the tornado is seen above just ripping across Union City at high speed and the still photo below highlights the debris flying in the air.

Devastating tornado caught on camera in Union City, Michigan

(Lisa Nicola)

The powerful storms moved through Illinois, knocking this trailer RV on its side, along with debris that was tossed everywhere, from high to low places, even landing on power lines.

Storm damage in Kinmundy, IL, March 7

(Salem/Marion COunty EMA)

FOX Weather Correspondent Robert Ray was on the ground in Tulsa, Oklahoma, on Saturday, providing a firsthand look at the damage throughout the state.

Storm damage in Kinmundy, IL, March 7

(Salem/Marion COunty EMA)

Oklahoma Governor Kevin Stitt visited affected areas on Sunday, assessing the damage as communities worked together to pull themselves out of the rubble. 

HOW ARE TORNADOES RATED? THE ENHANCED FUJITA (EF) SCALE EXPLAINED

05:35

Damaged homes and shattered trees: Firsthand look at Oklahoma's tornado damage

FOX Weather Correspondent Robert Ray reports live from Tulsa, Oklahoma, giving a firsthand look at the devastation in the area after reports indicate that at least five tornadoes may have torn through nearby. One resident walks us through the terrifying moment, sharing that as soon she heard the debris hitting her house, she knew she had to take off running:

One Oklahoma resident shares her experience as she knew she "needed to take off running" once she heard the debris start smacking her house. 

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Several schools across the state have sustained significant damage, forcing closures. 

As the severe weather season has just begun, this outbreak has residents facing the daunting task of rebuilding homes and lives, while emergency crews continue to respond to the widespread devastation.

The National Weather Service is still surveying the aftermath of this outbreak, leaving room for possibly more tornadoes to be confirmed.