Governor Gretchen Whitmer declared a state of emergency in 32 additional Michigan counties as severe weather continues to bring flooding, rising water levels, straight-line winds, and tornado damage across the state.
The declaration for Wednesday (April 15) applies to Alcona, Allegan, Alpena, Antrim, Arenac, Barry, Benzie, Charlevoix, Clare, Crawford, Emmet, Grand Traverse, Gratiot, Iosco, Kalkaska, Lake, Leelanau, Manistee, Menominee, Missaukee, Montcalm, Montmorency, Newaygo, Oceana, Ogemaw, Oscoda, Osceola, Presque Isle, Roscommon, Saginaw, Shiawassee and Wexford counties.
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“Today, I’m declaring a state of emergency for 32 additional counties following severe weather.
Significant snowmelt, record rain, flooding, straight-line winds, and tornadoes have damaged homes, roads, and businesses.
This emergency declaration will help the state deploy additional resources to help local officials and first responders protect Michiganders and their property.
The state will continue to coordinate with local governments and monitor the situation. I encourage everyone to stay updated and follow guidance from your local emergency manager. We will get through this together.”
The latest action extends a previously issued emergency declaration for Cheboygan County, issued on April 10, due to the threat of overtopping at the Cheboygan Lock and Dam Complex.
That order remains in effect.
On April 14, Whitmer activated the State Emergency Operations Center statewide to monitor weather-related impacts.
Later that day, she also declared an energy emergency statewide due to a disruption of gasoline supply at the U.S. Energy Cheboygan terminal on the Cheboygan River.
The Michigan State Police Emergency Management and Homeland Security Division is coordinating the state’s response through the State Emergency Operations Center.
State police troopers are assisting local emergency responders in affected areas.
State officials said the declaration allows the use of state resources to support local response and recovery efforts and enables eligible communities to seek financial assistance under Section 19 of Michigan’s Emergency Management Act.
Information on current conditions and response efforts is available at michigan.gov/cheboygandam.
Updates on the statewide response are posted at michigan.gov/aprilstorms.
The State Emergency Operations Center’s Joint Information Center is handling state communications, and officials said media inquiries should be directed to SEOCmedia@michigan.gov.