UNION CITY, Mich. (WWJ) -- If you're feeling tempted to go take look at the tornado damage in southwest Michigan, specifically Union City, officials there say: "Stay away."
Branch County Emergency Management Coordinator Tim Miner is the area is seeing influx of unwelcome visitors who want to see the damage, and it's hurting the recovery process.
Speaking to WWJ Newsradio 950's Luke Sloan, Miner asked that people not visit right now, out of respect for the victims.
"The biggest thing we're realizing is we have to give these people space, you know, we have to keep the... traumatic tourists that want to come around and look at all this tragedy and want to just come have their own eyes on it," Miner said.
"We've got to give these people some space, you know. They're going through their belongings that have been through a tornado, you know, picked up, dumped on the ground, rained on. They're trying to salvage things, so we've got to give them their space."
"We've got to give them, at least the courtesy to grieve their loss and, you know, start picking up their own pieces."
A total of four people were killed in the series of devastating, rare early-season tornadoes struck Southwest Michigan on Friday, March 6.
Authorities said there were at least a dozen injuries, and widespread destruction across Branch, Cass, and St. Joseph counties.
The outbreak, which included a powerful EF-3 tornado with winds estimated at 160 mph in Union City, flattened homes, destroyed businesses — including a Menards in Three Rivers — and brought down numerous trees and power lines.
Gov. Gretchen Whitmer declared a State of Emergency for the affected counties.
Sloan asked Miner if there are any early estimates as to the total damage done, but Miner said it's far too early for that as cleanup and recovery are just getting underway.
"Our biggest emphasis here is there were lives lost, people hurt, and property that can be replaced that the people will have to work through," Miner added. "So that's our main concern is, you know, taking care of those that did have injuries or lives lost."
Miner said while the area is overwhelmed with the outpouring of generosity, he asks people to donate money, not items, to aid in recovery efforts.
He says the area has enough supplies but the United Way of Branch County urgently needs monetary donations.
