State of emergency after tornadoes strike West Michigan [Video]

(WWJ) Gov. Gretchen Whitmer declared a state of emergency for Kalamazoo, St. Joseph, Branch, and Cass counties, after at least three tornadoes tore through West Michigan on Tuesday, destroying buildings and injuring up to 20 people.

Two confirmed tornadoes were in Kalamazoo County’s Portage, where officials say a large FedEx building and mobile home park were torn apart.

A third tornado was reported in Union City, south of Battle Creek.

The National Weather Service is investigating.

[National Weather Service working to determine the number, strength of tornadoes that hit Michigan Tuesday]

“My heart goes out to all those impacted by tonight’s severe weather in southwest Michigan,” said Gov. Whitmer, in a statement. “State and local emergency teams are on the ground and working together to assist Michiganders. I’ve declared a state of emergency to ensure resources are expedited to the area and activated our State Emergency Operations Center. We will continue monitoring the situation and coordinating efforts overnight. I want to thank all the first …