VIDEO: Peters Secures Commitment from Commerce Secretary to Examine National Weather Service’s Failure to Alert Michiganders Ahead of Fatal March Tornadoes

WASHINGTON, D.C. - During a hearing in the Senate Appropriations Committee, U.S. Senator Gary Peters (MI) secured a commitment from U.S. Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick to examine the National Weather Service's (NWS) failure to alert the public prior to the March 6, 2026, tornadoes that devastated Southwest Michigan communities.

"This fatal storm produced four separate tornadoes, one of which was the strongest tornado to hit Michigan in nearly fifty years," said Senator Peters during the hearing. "By the time the warning came, that first tornado had already torn through a home in Niles, Michigan, ultimately costing a 12-year-old boy his life. This was a serious failure on the part of NWS, and I want to work with you to help make sure it doesn't happen again. That's the least we can do in the wake of this tragedy."

In March, Peters sent a letter to NWS Director Ken Graham pressing for answers into what prevented NWS from issuing timely and appropriate emergency alerts prior to this fatal storm, and what changes are needed to improve NWS's ability to provide accurate and timely forecasting, predictions, and alerts. During the hearing, Peters reiterated his desire to work with NWS to improve its emergency alert processes.

"I want to get to the bottom of this. I'm about facts," said Peters. "This is something that we need to figure out if there were problems... I don't want to speculate until we get facts. Will you get us those answers?"

In response, Secretary Lutnick said, "If we both agree that it's not politized, then let's get to the bottom of it. Let's do it together. I'd be happy to do it with you and your staff and get together so that we can be better."

To watch the full video of Senator Peters' questioning, click here.

Peters also pressed Secretary Lutnick on whether NWS will produce an After-Action Report on the incident to identify shortcomings and lessons learned.

"It is my understanding that the Weather Service is putting together an After-Action Report to analyze obviously what went wrong. They want to do a better job too. I know the men and women of the Weather Service care deeply about their jobs. They're professionals and they care. Will you ensure that this report comes to fruition first, and, further, do you commit to sharing it with Congress so that we can actually work together on those next steps in a thoughtful, fact-based way?" Peters asked.

Lutnick responded, "I'm happy to leave here, go back and examine where we are with respect to that report, and have a conversation with you with respect to that report."

Peters has pushed for federal action to help the communities and families impacted by the deadly March tornadic storm. In addition to his letter to NWS Director Graham, Peters also led a bipartisan group of Michigan lawmakers in calling on President Trump to declare a Major Disaster for Southwest Michigan to ensure Michigan's communities can fully recover.

As extreme weather events become more frequent and severe in Michigan, Senator Peters has also led efforts to ensure that NWS has the resources, staffing, and modernized technology necessary to deliver accurate and life-saving information to the public. Last year, Peters introduced bipartisan legislation that would help ensure NWS can continue to provide 24/7 weather forecasting in communities across the United States. Specifically, the bill would exempt critical NWS positions from any executive orders imposing a hiring freeze, allowing the agency to adequately staff positions that are essential to notifying the public of extreme weather events that could be detrimental to people or property.

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