(UNION CITY) - Michigan's U.S. Senators are pressing for answers after no tornado watch was issued ahead of a deadly March 6 severe weather outbreak.
Senators Gary Peters and Elissa Slotkin sent a formal letter to National Weather Service Director Kenneth Graham questioning why a watch was never put in place despite four tornadoes touching down in southwest Michigan.
The storms hit areas including Edwardsburg, Three Rivers, Union City and Clarendon Township.
While tornado warnings were later issued, the senators say the lack of an earlier watch raises concerns about emergency preparedness.
They are asking whether staffing shortages or limited resources played a role in the decision.
The March 6 storms killed four people and destroyed dozens of homes. Lawmakers are seeking a detailed explanation of how decisions were made that day.